Let’s look at the complete difference between gerunds and
participles.
Basic
of
Gerund Participle
differe
nce
A participle in
A gerund in English is
English is a
a progressive form
Definiti verb (V1+ing or
(ing) of a verb that
on V3) form that works
works as a noun in a
as an adjective or as
sentence.
a verb in a sentence.
A gerund can play the
following roles:
There are two types
1. The subject
of participles in
2. The object of a verb
English:
Types 3. The object of a
preposition
1. Present participle
4. The object of a
2. Past participle
possessive adjective
5. The subject
complement
A participle can
function either as a
verb or as an
adjective.
A gerund functions
only as a noun.
Functio Examples:
ns 1. He
Ex– Teaching is my
is teaching English.
passion.
(verb)
2. I
hate teaching jobs.
(adjective)
Position A gerund can take the A participle can take
following places: the following places:
1. Before the main verb 1. Before a noun
(linking or action verb) 2. After a noun
2. After an action verb 3. After a main verb
(transitive) (linking verb)
3. After a preposition
4. After a possessive Examples:
adjective
5. After the main verb 1.
(linking verb) A motivated person
Examples:
1. Teaching is fun.
(before the main verb)
2. I love teaching. can do anything.
(after an action verb) 2. Look at
3. He is the burning train.
passionate about teac 3. The
hing. (after a movie was exciting.
preposition) 4. The
4. Your teaching is class is motivated.
amazing. (after a
possessive adjective)
5. My
passion is dancing.
(after the main verb)
