Types of Gerund Phrases
Basic Info about Gerunds and Gerund Phrases
Gerunds - words that look like verbs and act like a nouns.You can spot a gerund by looking for a verb +ingthat is acting as a noun.Swimmingis fun.Swim is a verb. Swimming is a verb withing. In this sentence swimming is acting as a noun.Gerund Phrases- contains a gerund and words that modify and complement it.Running marathonsis my favorite activity.
Types of gerunds
There are 4 types of gerund phrasesSubjectsPredicate NominativeDirect objectObject of preposition
Gerunds as Subjects
A gerund (or gerund phrase) can be the subject of a sentence.Gardeningis my favorite leisure activity.The gerundGardeningis the subject of the sentence.Decoratingour househas been a family tradition at Christmas for years.Decorating our houseis the gerund phrase that is the subject of the sentence.Roaring filled the air at the track.Roaringis a gerund used as the subject.Usually found at the beginning of the sentence.
Gerunds as Predicate Nominative
Most of it wascheering.Cheeringis a gerund used as the predicate nominative.Gerund as a predicate nominative is a noun found in the predicate.A predicate nominative completes the meaning of a linking verb.
Gerunds as Direct Objects
Mary hatesbiting her fingernails.Biting her finger nailsis the gerund phrase. It is a direct object in this sentence.Remember direct objects can be found by: subject +verb+who or what (direct object)?Mary=subject,hates= verb, Mary hates what? =biting her fingernails (direct object).We could hearthundering.Thundering is a gerund used as a direct object.Receives the action of the verb.
Gerunds as Objects of Preposition
When the cars entered the track, we turned our attention towardracing.Racingis the gerund used as the object of the preposition.Make sure it is in a prepositional phrase by finding the preposition.
Practice: Find the gerund phrase and determine the type.
Hours of editing the newspaper ruined their day.Hanging pictures on the wall was more difficult than she had anticipated.Try to slip away without telling your friends about it.Each afternoon Tom enjoyed swimming a few laps.Winning at poker makes Matt feel important.I am demoting the officer for disobeying orders.Without studying for the test, you are taking a big risk.Abby is enjoying listening to Rolling Stones’ music.
Practice
Partner Work:Write sentences using the following gerunds.Be sure to write one sentence for each type of gerund phrase: Subject, Predicate Nominative, Direct Objects, Objects of Preposition.
AskingDivingFlyingLeapingMarchingSkippingSwingingTumblingTwirling
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