GERUNDS have the same functions as NOUNS in sentences. They can be single words or gerund phrases.

Subject Gerunds:     1. Learning is a lifelong process. .      2. Learning to speak and write English well takes a lot of practice.

Direct object Gerunds:     1. Bertha hates shopping. She'd rather save her money.     2. She prefers putting her money in a savings account.

Gerunds as objects of prepositions:.      1. James is not known for studying     2. He failed his last exam on identifying the parts of speech.

The present continuous (progressive) is used only with action verbs. Example: I am working at the moment NOT I am believing you.

The present continuous (progressive) is also used to describe an action which is happening around this moment: Example: I'm reading 'Just in Time' this week. I'm not reading the book at this particular moment, but around this time.

ExamplesUsage Actions happening at the present

moment. What are you cooking?

Tom is studying for his exams at the moment.It isn't raining now. We can go outside.

Planned future events (usually in the near future)

What are you doing this weekend?I'm meeting Peter tomorrow morning.We're driving to Albany this weekend.