Gerunds

A gerund is a noun created by adding ing to the stem of a verb. It can be modified by an adjective and take another noun as its object.

Marco loves gourmet cooking but hates cleaning the kitchen.

Possessives Preceding Gerunds

A noun or pronoun that precedes a gerund should be in the possessive case.

Incorrect: Not even a heart attack could curb Eddie eating.
Correct: Not even a heart attack could curb Eddie’s eating.

Exceptions to this rule include indefinite pronouns (e.g., everybody, anyone). Put these in the nominative case when they appear before a gerund.

Incorrect: Have you ever seen anyone’s running as fast as he is?
Correct: Have you ever seen anyone running as fast as he is?

You may also use a nominative before a gerund if the possessive form sounds unduly awkward.

Awkward: He was thrilled by the woman’s asking him out on a date.
Better: He was thrilled by the woman asking him out on a date.

A better solution, though, is to eliminate the gerund by rephrasing the sentence.

He was thrilled that the woman asked him out on a date.

Gerund-Infinitive Confusion

Infinitives (e.g., to eat) are often used incorrectly in the place of gerunds (e.g., eating).

Incorrect: She had no intention to marry him.
Correct: She had no intention of marrying him.

There is no one rule to determine whether to use an infinitive or a gerund in a particular context. If you are in doubt, phrase your sentence with both, and choose the form that sounds most familiar.

Gerund-Participle Confusion

Be careful not to confuse gerunds with present participles, which are identical in form but quite different in function. (See Participles for more information.)

Use the nominative case for a noun before a present participle and the possessive case for one before a gerund, except in the cases noted above. Following this rule is especially important if a sentence is likely to be misread if the wrong case is used.

Gerund: Henry enjoyed his wife’s singing. [Henry enjoyed the singing of his wife.]
Present Participle: Henry enjoyed his wife singing. [Henry enjoyed