Nouns
Verbs
One special case is when a verb is used as a noun. Here the verb form is altered and it serves the same function as a noun in the sentence. This type of noun is called a gerund.
The gerund
A noun created from the - ing form of a verb is called a gerund. Like other nouns, gerunds act as subjects and objects in sentences.
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Sleeping sometimes serves as an escape from studying.
The gerunds sleeping and studying are - ing forms of the verbs sleep and study. Sleeping is the noun functioning as the subject of this sentence, and studying is an object (in this case, the object of a preposition).
The problem gerund
Gerunds can sometimes be difficult to use properly in a sentence. What problems will you have with gerunds?
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When a noun or pronoun precedes a gerund, use the possessive case of the noun or pronoun.
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Jane's sleeping was sometimes an escape from studying.
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Even when you think that the word before the gerund looks like an object, use the possessive case.
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Jane was annoyed by Bill's studying.
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not Jane was annoyed by Bill studying.
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