The aims of this research are (1) to know the first semester student’s competence in using gerund and present participle and (2) to find the kinds of errors that are made by the student of English Department of Muhammadiyah University of Purwokerto in Academic Year 2009/2010.
This research used descriptive test and it was carried out at the first semester students of English Department of Muhammadiyah University of Purwokerto in Academic Year 2009/2010 as population. The total population was 182 students that were consist of 4 classes (class A, class B, class C, and class D). The writer took random sampling technique and the sample was 20 % from the population for about 36 students. In this research, the writer used test to collect the data.
After conducting the research, it was revealed that the gerund and present participle competence at first semester students belonged fair category, it was found that the percentage of students’ error was 49.96. the error made by students in using gerund and present participle were ignorance of rules restriction and false concept hypothesized, Moreover students more mastered in using gerund (55.18%) than present participle (45%).