Gerund

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Also Known As: Gerundio in Spanish when referring to the verbal present participle.

Definition: Traditionally, gerund is the term used to refer to a certain Latin verb form that could function as a noun.

Nowadays, the term generally is used to refer to the present participle in English and the verbal present participle of Spanish. These are the verb forms that end in -ing in English and -ando or -endo in Spanish. In both languages, the gerund is used to form the progressive or continuous tenses. Note that while the English gerund can be and frequently is used a noun, the Spanish gerund does not function as a noun.

Some grammarians also use the term gerund more loosely to refer to any verb form when it is functioning as a noun. Generally, you should not assume this definition is meant unless the context makes clear this is what is intended.

Examples:

Underline terms are gerunds:

I am thinking about you.
Estoy pensando en ti.

Seeing is believing.
Ver es creer. (Note that the gerund is not used in Spanish here.)

He went away crying.
Se fue llorando.

I need a working car.
Necesito un carro que funcione. (Note that the gerund is not used in Spanish here.)

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