Gerund Phrases

Question 1

What is a gerund?

Answer 1

• verbal
• always ends in ING
• acts as a NOUN → modifies N/PRO and fulfills POS as a noun: S, DO, OP, IO, PN from most to least likely

Question 2

What is true about gerund phrases in relation to the whole sentence?

What is a tip about prepositions near gerunds?

What is the formula for a gerund phrase?

Answer 2

If you take out a gerund phrase in results in an INCOMPLETE thought

Gerunds that are the object of a preposition are not included in the gerund phrase

Question 3

Find the gerund or gerund phrase in the following sentences;

1. Eating is fun
2. Loudly eating is gross
3. Eating gum loudly is annoying
4. Recklessly running the red light caused a terrible accident
5. The waiter gave working diligently all his attention
6. The doctor recommended carefully taking two different medicines

Answer 3

1.

Question 4

Find the gerund or gerund phrase in the following sentences;

1. The laughing students missed important information
2. By mailing his letter, Bob won the contest
3. A whale was swimming in the river
4. My favorite hobby is reading mystery novels

Answer 4

1. There is no gerund. Actually laughing is a participle that mod students by “which one”
2. “mailing (GER and OBJ) his letter (DO)” is a gerund phrase mod Bob by “which one.” Notice that mailing is an OBJ of Prep but the Prep is not in the sentence
3. “swimming (GER) in the river (ADV prep phrase)” mod whale by “which one”
4. “reading (GER) mystery (ADJ) novels (DO)” is a gerund phrase modifying hobby by “which one/what kind”