English Language Arts
Grade 11
15 min
Identify gerunds and their functions
Identify gerunds and their functions
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define a gerund and identify its key characteristic (verb form ending in -ing used as a noun).
Differentiate between a gerund (noun) and a present participle (adjective).
Identify the five primary grammatical functions of a gerund in a sentence: subject, direct object, indirect object, object of a preposition, and predicate nominative.
Locate and analyze complete gerund phrases, including the gerund and its accompanying modifiers or objects.
Construct complex sentences using gerunds in various functions to enhance writing style and sentence variety.
Analyze how authors in American literature use gerunds for stylistic effect, such as creating emphasis or maintaining a formal tone.
Ever tried to use an action as the subject of your sentence? 🏃♂️ That'...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
VerbalA word formed from a verb but functioning as a different part of speech, such as a noun, adjective, or adverb.In 'To run is fun,' 'to run' is a verbal (an infinitive) acting as a noun.
GerundA specific type of verbal that ends in '-ing' and functions exclusively as a noun.In 'Running is my favorite exercise,' 'Running' is a gerund acting as the subject.
Gerund PhraseA phrase consisting of a gerund and any modifiers or objects associated with it. The entire phrase functions as a single noun.In 'Carefully proofreading the essay is essential,' the gerund phrase is 'Carefully proofreading the essay'.
SubjectThe noun or noun phrase that performs the action of the verb or is described by the verb.I...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Noun Replacement Test
An '-ing' word is a gerund if it (or its entire phrase) can be replaced by a simple noun like 'it,' 'something,' or 'the activity' without making the sentence grammatically nonsensical.
Use this test to confirm if an '-ing' word is functioning as a noun. For example, in 'Studying is hard,' you can say 'It is hard,' confirming 'studying' is a gerund. In 'The sleeping dog is cute,' you cannot say 'The it dog is cute,' so 'sleeping' is not a gerund.
Function Over Form
The grammatical function of the '-ing' word in the sentence determines whether it is a gerund (noun), a participle (adjective), or part of a verb phrase (action).
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Challenging
In American literature, authors like the Transcendentalists often begin sentences with gerund phrases (e.g., 'Believing in oneself is the first secret to success.'). What is the primary stylistic effect of using a gerund phrase as the subject?
A.It creates a sense of fast-paced, urgent action.
B.It makes the sentence sound informal and conversational.
C.It establishes an abstract concept or action as the main topic, creating a formal and emphatic tone.
D.It primarily serves to confuse the reader by inverting normal sentence structure.
Challenging
Which revision of the following sentence most effectively uses a gerund phrase to enhance writing style and sentence variety, as encouraged by the tutorial? Original: 'Students must synthesize sources. This is a key skill for the AP exam.'
A.key skill for the AP exam is that students must synthesize sources.
B.Synthesizing sources is a key skill for the AP exam.
C.To synthesize sources is a key skill for the AP exam.
D.For the AP exam, a key skill is the synthesizing of sources.
Challenging
Consider the sentence: 'His greatest ambition, achieving a new social status, is a central theme in the novel.' What is the grammatical function of the phrase 'achieving a new social status'?
A.It is a gerund phrase acting as a predicate nominative.
B.It is a participial phrase modifying 'ambition'.
C.It is a gerund phrase acting as an appositive.
D.It is a gerund phrase acting as a direct object.
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