English Gerund: When is it used and how is it understood in Spanish.

 English Gerund: When is it used?

In English, the gerund is a verb conjugation that is formed by adding the ending -ing to the infinitive of a verb. The gerund can have different functions in a sentence, so it is important to know them in order to use it correctly.

Situations in which the gerund should be used:

• To express a continuous action or state

The gerund is used to express an action or state that is happening at the moment of speaking or

writing. For example:

I'm reading a book. (Estoy leyendo un libro)

The sun is shining. (El sol está brillando)

• To express an intention or purpose

The gerund is used to express an intention or purpose to perform an action. For example:

I'm going to learn Spanish. (Voy a aprender español.)

I'm trying to find my keys. (Estoy tratando de encontrar mis llaves.)

• To express an opinion or belief

The gerund is used to express an opinion or a belief about an action. For example:

I enjoy reading books. (Me gusta leer libros.)

I hate doing homework. (Odio hacer deberes.)

• To express a cause or reason

The gerund is used to express a cause or a reason for an action. For example:

I'm tired from working all day. (Estoy cansado de trabajar todo el día.)

I forgot turning off the lights. (Me olvidé de apagar las luces.)

• To express a condition or a constraint

The gerund is used to express a condition or a restriction of an action. For example:

You can't go out without asking your parents. (No puedes salir sin preguntar a tus padres.)

I won't eat without washing my hands first. (No comeré sin lavarme las manos antes.)

• As complement after a preposition

The gerund can be used as a preposition complement in a sentence. For example:

I'm bored of watching TV. (Me aburro de ver la tele.)

I'm afraid of flying. (Tengo miedo de volar.)

• As the main subject of a phrase

This means that the gerund is the main part of the sentence and that the sentence focuses on the

action expressed by the gerund.

Swimming is a great way to stay in shape. (Nadar es una gran manera de mantenerse en

forma.)

Cooking is my favorite hobby. (Cocinar es mi pasatiempo favorito.)

In these examples the ING verbs: "swimming" "cooking" and "going to" are the subjects of the

sentences. Each sentence focuses on the action of swimming, cooking or going to the movies.

Playing the guitar is his passion. (Tocar la guitarra es su pasión.)

Reading is my way of relaxing. (Leer es mi forma de relajarme.)

Walking is a great way to get exercise. (Caminar es una gran manera de hacer ejercicio.)

It is important to note that the gerund can also be used in some special verb structures,

such as the past perfect continuous participle and the infinitive with to. However, these

structures are more advanced and will be discussed in another article.

To practice using the gerund, you can try translating sentences from English to Spanish.

Here are some examples and I'll tell you the answer in the video:https://youtu.be/p_yd98Jr82k

Translate to Spanish:

• María Loves running early in the morning.

• My dad and I tried fixing the car by ourselves.

• Dayana went swimming last saturday.

• We are going to France next month.

• I love eating chocolate bars.

• Walking is my favorite exercise.

• Singing is not easy as well as playing an instrument

• Fighting for what I want is my duty.

• Swimming goggles needed.

• Not knowing what to do is difficult and stressing

In fewer words we can say that there are many situations in which gerunds are used in English

that are understood differently in Spanish.

Please subscribe to my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@pemarclasses.English-Spanish , and watch the video for this article.