Difference between a Gerund and a Present Participle

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Both a gerund and a present participle come from a verb, and both end in –ing. However, each has a different function.  A gerund acts like a noun while a present participle acts like a verb or adjective.


Trekking is fun!


Trekking can be a gerund or a present participle.



When trekking is a gerund, it acts like a noun. 

It can be a subject, an object, the object of a preposition, or a subject complement.

 


Trekking is a long walk on the mountains.   [trekking= subject]


I love trekking.    [trekking= object ]

I am excited by trekking.   [trekking= object of a preposition]


One popular adventure is trekking.   [trekking= subject complement]



When trekking is a present participle, it is part of a continuous verb tense.

 

Right now, they are trekking through mountain forests.   [are trekking= present continuous]    


He was trekking yesterday afternoon.   [was trekking= past continuous]


Tomorrow, my friends and I are going to be trekking.   [are going to be trekking = future continuous]                                                        


Unlike a gerund, a present participle can act like an adjective that modifies a noun or follows the be verb.

Example: exciting


The word exciting is a present participle used as an adjective to modify a noun or to follow the verb to be.


The exciting sport made the people scream.   [adjective + noun]


People enjoyed the exciting game.   [adjective + noun]


The game is exciting. [be verb + adjective]

 

 Look at the sentences below. Decide whether the underlined –ing word is acting like a noun, part of a verb, or an adjective.  


1.What an amazing movie! I want to watch it again!

2. Speaking English well takes a long time.

3. He cares about getting a good job.

4. Shh! I am trying to sleep.

5. My friends and I were sitting in a café and talking.

6. The directions were very confusing.

7. They have been studying for a long time and want to take a break.

8. She loves travelling.


Answers: 1) adjective, 2) gerund, 3) gerund, 4) verb, 5) verb & verb, 6) adjective, 7) verb, 8) gerund

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