Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.
I'm fond of _____ in the river.
a. have swum
b. swam
c. swim
d. swimming
e. having swum

Answer 1

Hint:A gerund is a noun formed from a verb (such as the `-ing' form of an English verb when used as a noun). It is formed from the Latin word, gerundium, from gerunds (“which is to be carried out”), future passive participle (gerundive) of gerō (“carry, bear”).

Complete solution:
In the given question, the word that is to be used in the blank is acting like a noun and thus the subject and also a verb by taking up the object. Thus, we need a gerund to fill in the blank.
Let us thus analyze the options given to us in this question:
Option (a.), 'have swum', refers to the verb in past tense and is not acting like a noun.
Therefore, option (a.) is incorrect as we need a gerund for the blank.

Option (b.), ‘swam', refers to the verb in past tense and is not acting like a noun.
Therefore, option (b.) is incorrect as we need a gerund for the blank.

Option (c.), ‘swim', refers to the verb in present tense and is not acting like a noun.
Therefore, option (c.) is incorrect as we need a gerund for the blank.

Option (d.), ‘swimming', refers to a gerund which acts like the noun and ends with -ing.
Therefore, option (d.) is correct.

 Note: In this question, we are using a gerund. However, there are other types of verbs as well- participles and infinitives. Infinitives are preceded by the word “to” (such as to run, to fly, to play, etc.). Participles also end in -ing like a gerund, but do not function as a noun.