The Gerund has both noun and verb properties.
Noun properties of a Gerund
A gerund may functions as subject of the sentence.
Examples
Reading is always very useful
Learning rules without examples is useless.
Sunbathing can be sometimes dangerous.
His coming here gave us great pleasure.
A good beginning makes for a good ending.
Examples
Seeing is believing.
My sport is running marathon.
My hobby is collecting vinyls.
I am sure it was my doing.
OBJECT
Examples
David preferred running to skiing.
Your hair need cutting.
He gave up playing football.
Have you finished your working?
OBJECT OF A PREPOSITION
Examples
Excuse me for being late.
David was afraid of losing his goat.
He left without saying anything.
She thought of going shopping.
A gerund may be preceded by determinatives – the, a, this, my, etc.
Examples
Would you mind my opening the door?
His coming was expected.
This working is boring.
The gerund may be preceded by ‘s form or followed by the construction of + noun.
Examples
My brother’s playing was beautiful.
David’s skiing was great.
The howling of the wind.
A gerund may be qualified by an adjective.
Examples
Dry cleaning.
I listened beautiful singing.