Here's a breakdown:
* Verb form: Gerunds are formed by adding "-ing" to the base form of a verb (e.g., "running," "eating," "singing").
* Noun function: They act like nouns in a sentence, taking on roles like:
* Subject: "Swimming" is my favorite exercise.
* Object of a verb: I enjoy "reading" books.
* Object of a preposition: She is good at "dancing".
* Appositive: Her hobby, "painting," is very relaxing.
Let me know if you'd like more examples or have any other questions!