What can often cause confusion between a gerund and present participle?

The reason for choosing the option highlighting that gerunds and present participles have the same form is based on the fact that both are derived from verbs and take on an "-ing" ending. This similarity in form can lead to confusion, as they are visually indistinguishable in writing.

However, their functions and meanings differ significantly. A gerund functions as a noun in a sentence, which means it can act as a subject, object, or complement. In contrast, a present participle acts as an adjective, modifying a noun or as part of a verb phrase to indicate a continuous tense. This distinction in usage but similarity in appearance is a common source of misunderstanding for learners of English. Hence, the shared form is a primary factor contributing to the confusion between the two.