GERUNDS
Many people say that gerunds are ing verbs used as nouns. While that may be offensive to some, in fact, the statement is quite true: They are verbs; they always end in ing; but they are used as a noun. Because they are nouns, they can be subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, objects of the preposition, or predicate nominatives:
Cooking is fun. (subject)
I enjoy cooking. (direct object)
The audience gave Emeril's cooking enthusiastic applause. (indirect object)
After cooking, Tom took a nap. (object of the preposition)
His hobby is cooking. …
