Gerunds

Gerunds are nouns formed from verbs, portandum. They are active in meaning, and have no plural. They decline like templum (2nd declension neuter).

Case	Latin
Accusative	portandum
Genitive	portandi
Dative	portando
Ablative	portando

They are translated as 'the act of doing ....' so that portandum = 'carrying'.

They can be found in all cases except the nominative. When this is required, use an infinitive instead:

1. in the accusative, the gerund follows ad (or ob, inter) to form a purpose clause: ad bibendum in order to drink profecti sumus ad pugnandum we set out to fight
2. in the genitive the gerund follows either abstract nouns governing the genitive or causa (for the sake of - placed after the gerund):
   amor legendi non omnibus datur
   The love of reading is not given to everyone.
   ars scribendi discitur
   The art of writing is learned.
   Quintus venandi causa profectus est
   Quintus set out for the sake of hunting
3. in the dative the gerund follows verbs or phrases that regularly take the dative:
   operam legendo dat
   operam pugnando dederunt
4. in the ablative, the gerund expresses instrument of cause, often following ab, ex, in, de:
   bene laborando, vos omnes sapientissimi eritis
   By working well you will become wise.