Grammar Basics - Gerunds

Gerunds are verbs that are joined by adding '-ing' to the end it. This is a very simple lesson, but knowing the term and being familiar with how they come about is very imperative. Gerunds come in forms as well. They come in active and passive forms. Each form has a present or perfect tense.  
         

               Active              Passive
   (Present) Helping             Being Helped
   (Perfect)  Having Helped   Having Been Helped

• I stopped borrowing books from that library.
• I am afraid she is complaining about your work.
• Look at the bee buzzing around the sunflower.
• He is avoiding pain by taking three aspirins.

Overall, gerunds are used daily. We use them in our speech and when we write. The next time you use a gerund take the time to find out if you are using it in a active or passive form. At this time I am (writing) this sentence using the active form of a gerund. Voila!

"Writing Styles - Be the Bright!"

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