Identify gerunds and their functions
Key Notes:
A gerund is a verb form that acts as a noun and ends in -ing. A gerund is often the subject of a sentence or clause, an object of a verb, or an object of a preposition. A gerund phrase consists of a gerund and all its modifiers.
Swimming is one of my favourite ways to get exercise.
The gerund is the subject of the sentence.
Peter enjoys cooking for his family and friends.
The gerund phrase is the object of the verb enjoys.
After staying up all night, Tessa felt completely exhausted.
The gerund phrase is the object of the preposition after.
Learn with an example
▶️ Select the gerund or gerund phrase.
A number of wildlife websites feature a live camera stream from the Bifengxia Panda Base in Ya’an, China, so people all over the world can enjoy watching pandas in their natural habitat.
- The gerund phrase is watching pandas in their natural habitat. It contains the gerund watching and acts as a noun.
▶️ Select the gerund or gerund phrase.
Before defrosting the windscreen, Jane tried to remove the ice and snow from her vehicle.
- The gerund phrase is defrosting the windscreen. It contains the gerund defrosting and acts as a noun.
▶️ Select the gerund or gerund phrase.
Maggie loves reading outdoor survival stories, and she plans to write a book about her own experience
- The gerund phrase is reading outdoor survival stories. It contains the gerund reading and acts as a noun.
Let’s practice!🖊️
