A verbal is a word that looks like a verb but is not used as the verb in a sentence.
Words with an -ing ending look like verbs, but we can also use them as nouns.
When we use an –ing word as a noun, we call it a gerund.
Writing, cooking, and running look like verbs, but when they act as a noun, we call them gerunds.
Look at these sentences. Each sentence has a gerund in it.
My mom’s writing is very neat.
In this sentence, writing acts like a noun and is the subject.
My sister took a cooking class.
In this sentence, cooking acts like a noun and is an adjective.
I like running more than walking.
In this sentence, running acts like a noun and is the direct object.
Each -ing word that looks like a verb is actually being used as a noun in these sentences.
Here are more examples of a gerund:
The new ice rink held a grand opening. (direct object)
The workers did an excellent plastering job on our ceiling. (adjective)
Singing is my cousin’s favorite hobby. (subject)
A gerund is a word that looks like a verb (it ends in -ing) but it acts like a noun.