What are gerunds?

Gerunds are verbs that function as nouns, and they typically end in the -ing form. This means that while they originate from verbs, their role in a sentence is that of a noun, allowing them to act as subjects, objects, or complements. For instance, in the sentence "Swimming is enjoyable," "swimming" is derived from the verb "swim," but here it is used as the subject of the sentence, fulfilling a noun's function.

By understanding gerunds, one can see how they add depth and variety to language. For example, they enable the expression of actions as concepts or activities, making sentences more dynamic. In contrast, other options mention characteristics of adverbs, adjectives, or nouns but do not capture the essence of what gerunds are or how they are used in grammar. This clarity about gerunds helps in constructing grammatically correct sentences and enhances overall language proficiency.