A verbal is a verb that is not used to show action. The gerund is a type of verbal.
A gerund is a verb form that is used as a noun.
Look at this example of a gerund:
Playing a game is fun.
The word playing is usually a verb, but in this sentence, playing is acting as a noun. It’s the subject of the sentence.
Here is another example of a gerund:
My grandparents risk losing their house.
The word losing is usually a verb, but in this sentence, losing is acting as a noun. It’s the direct object in the sentence.
A gerund is a verb that acts as a noun in a sentence. It might be a subject, a direct object, or the object of a preposition.
It’s your turn. Find the gerund in this sentence – the verb that is acting as a noun. Watching television is a waste of time. Did you find the verb form acting as a subject? Good for you!