Grammar: Word classes: Verbs: Verb formation

Participles (-ing/-ed)

Using participles to name things

The present participle can function as a noun form (sometimes called a 'gerund', but more generally referred to as an -ing form). The -ing form can be used to name things such as an activity or event. Note that the present participle behaves like a noun:

Hiding is fun!
I like hiding!

We can see this clearly if we substitute a regular noun for the -ing form:

Tennis is fun!
I like icecream!

For more information, see Grammar: Word classes: Nouns: Representing actions with nouns