Understand the precise grammar rules and differences between a verbal noun, a gerund, and a participle in English syntax, complete with definitions, examples, and common exceptions.
What is a Verbal Noun in English Grammar?
All verbal nouns are not gerunds, but all gerunds are verbal nouns. A verbal noun is formed in two distinct ways:
- By adding suffixes: refuse + al = refusal, accept + ance = acceptance, judge + ment = judgement/judgment, etc.
- By adding -ing: love + ing = loving, sleep + ing = sleeping, walk + ing = walking, etc.
[ Judgement/judgment; acknowledgement/acknowledgment – Both forms are correct-C.O.D. ]
Consider this example: I like the reading of Geography. Here reading is a Verbal Noun.
"A verbal noun is noun and nothing more."-Nesfield.
Conversely, look at this sentence: I like reading Geography. Here reading is a Gerund because here 'reading' is a double part of speech — A noun and a verb combined.
What is a Gerund?
A gerund is that form of the verb which ends in -ing and has the force of a Noun and verb. -Wren & Martin.
Gerund is a double part of speech- a noun and verb combined. -Nesfield.
How to Use the Gerund in Sentences?
A gerund being a Verb-Noun may be used in several syntactic ways:
1. Subject of a verb
- Swimming is a good exercise.
- Sleeping is necessary to life.
2. Object of verb
- We enjoyed swimming in the river.
- He enjoyed sleeping in the open air.
3. Complement of a verb
- What he likes best is swimming.
- His constant habit was sleeping.
4. Object of a preposition
- May I request the favour of your granting me leave of absence ?
- He was rebuked for 'swimming' in a dirty pond.
- He is tired of sleeping over hours.
- She is fond of reading novels.
- I think of retiring soon from service.
- We are looking forward to seeing you again. – Hornby.
5. As a Compound Noun
- Walking stick (= a stick for walking)
- A frying pan (= a pan for frying)
*Note: When a gerund is preceded by a noun or a pronoun, it must be in the possessive form as the gerund is finally a noun.
- I hope you will excuse my leaveing early. (correct)
- I hope you will excuse me leaving early. (incorrect)
Remember, therefore, to use the possessive case of nouns and pronouns before gerunds.
- All depends on Urmila's passing the examination.
- We rejoiced at her being promoted.
- I ask the favour of your granting my prayer.
- I insist on your being present there.
- We left the place without any one's knowing.
Gerund and Infinitive Comparison
As both the Gerund and the Infinitive have the force of a Noun and Verb, they have the same uses. Thus in many sentences either of them may be used without any special difference in meaning. -Wren & Martin
Note : In modern Grammar the difference between Simple Infinitive and Gerundial Infinitive is not stressed as both of them may be transformed into a Gerund.
| Infinitive | Gerund |
|---|---|
| To walk is good for health. | Walking is good for health. |
| To find fault is easy. | Finding fault is easy. |
| He likes to play cards. | He likes playing cards. |
| Figs are good to eat. | Figs are good for eating. |
What is a Participle?
A participle is that form of the verb which is partly a Verb and partly an Adjective. - Wren & Martin
A participle is a double part of speech – a verb and adjective combined. - Nesfield
What is a Present Participle?
Present Participle ends in (verb + ing) and has specific functions:
1. A participle can qualify a noun
- A rolling stone gathers on moss.
- Don't try to get into a running train.
- A blooming flower is beautiful to look at.
[The participle rolling, running and blooming qualify the noun stone, train and flower.]
2. Like an Adjective it can admit of degrees of comparison
Primary Education is the most pressing need of our time.
The participle pressing is compared by preceding most.
3. It may govern a noun or a pronoun
- Hearing the noise the boy woke up. [The noun noise is governed by the participle hearing.]
- Seeing him fall from the tree, I rushed towards him. [The pronoun him is governed by the participle seeing.]
4. It may be modified by an adverb
Loudly knocking at the gate, he asked admission. [The participle knocking is modified by the adverb loudly.]
All the above examples of participles end in -ing and represent an action as going on, Hence this is called Present participle.
What is a Past Participle and Perfect Participle?
Besides the present participle, there is another form of participle called past participle which represents a completed action.
- Deceived by his friends, he lost all hope.
- Blinded by a dust-storm, they lost their way.
- Driven by hunger, he stole a piece of bread.
- We saw the trees laden with fruit.
- It is already widely circulated.
Moreover, there may be a combined participle called Perfect Participle.
Having rested a while, we continued our journey.
*Note: It will be noticed that the Continuous Tenses in the Active are formed from the present participle with tenses of the verb be.
- I am doing the work.
- I was doing the work.
- I shall be doing the work.
The Perfect Tenses in Active Voice are formed from the past participle with tenses of the verb have.
- I have loved.
- I had loved.
- I shall have loved.
The Passive Voice is formed from the past participle with tenses of the verb be.
- I am loved
- I was loved.
- I shall be loved.
How Do Participles Qualify Nouns or Pronouns?
Participles may qualify Nouns or Pronouns in three ways:
1. Attributively
- A rolling stone gathers no moss.
- A lost opportunity never returns.
- His tattered coat needs mending.
2. Predicatively
- The man seems worried.
- He kept me waiting.
3. Absolutely as a Nominative Absolute
- The sun having risen, the fog dispersed. The fog having dispersed, the soldiers marched.
- The weather being fine, I went out.
Common Errors in the Use of Participles
As the participle is a verb-adjective, it must be attached to some noun or pronoun. In other words, it must always have a proper 'subject-object' reference.
The following sentences are incorrect because in each case the participle is left without proper subject agreement.
- Being a very hot day, I remained in my tent (incorrect)
- It being a very hot day, I remained in my tent (correct – Nom. Absolute)
- Sitting on the gate, the teacher rebuked him. (incorrect)
- Sitting on the gate, he was rebuked by the teacher (correct)
- Entering the room, the light was quite dazzling. (incorrect)
- Entering the room, I found the light quite dazzling. (correct)
- I saw a dead cow walking in the field. (incorrect)
- I saw a dead cow while I was walking in the field. (Correct) Or, Walking in the field, I saw a dead cow. (correct)
However, when there is no such confusion, usage permits such construction where the participle is left without a proper 'subject of reference.'
- Frankly speaking, he is not fit for the job. [Frankly speaking = If one speaks frankly.]
- Roughly speaking, the post office is two miles away from here.
- Considering his abilities, he should have done better.
- Taking everything into consideration, the Magistrate was perfectly justified in issuing the verdict.
Difference of Gerund and Participle & Participle and Nominative Absolute
| Gerund | Participle |
|---|---|
| He is fond of playing cricket. | Playing cricket, he spent much time. |
| The old man is tired of walking. | Walking along the road. the old man is tired. |
| I don't like laughing so loud. | The went away laughing. |
| Participle | Nominative Absolute |
|---|---|
| Rising (Having risen) from bed he came out of the room. | They sun having risen, we began our march. |
| Being tired, he rested for a while. | The match being over, they left the place. |
Key Takeaways
- All gerunds are verbal nouns, but not all verbal nouns are gerunds.
- A gerund functions as a double part of speech combining a noun and a verb.
- A participle acts partly as a verb and partly as an adjective.
- Participles must always possess a proper subject-object reference to avoid grammatical errors.
Quick Practice
Test your understanding by writing answers in the comments below:
- Identify whether "reading" is a verbal noun or gerund in: I like the reading of Geography.
- Correct the sentence: Sitting on the gate, the teacher rebuked him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a verbal noun and a gerund?
All gerunds are verbal nouns, but not all verbal nouns are gerunds. Verbal nouns can be formed via suffixes (like -ment or -al) or -ing, whereas gerunds are strictly verb forms ending in -ing that retain verbal force while acting as nouns.
Can a participle function as an adjective?
Yes, participles are double parts of speech combining a verb and an adjective, meaning they can qualify nouns, admit degrees of comparison, and be modified by adverbs.
What is a nominative absolute construction?
A nominative absolute occurs when a participle is used with a noun or pronoun that has no grammatical connection with the rest of the sentence, such as in "The sun having risen, the fog dispersed."