Identify gerunds and their functions

Learning Objectives Define a gerund and identify its characteristic '-ing' ending. Distinguish between a gerund and a present participle in a sentence. Identify gerunds functioning as subjects of sentences. Identify gerunds functioning as direct objects of verbs. Identify gerunds functioning as objects of prepositions. Recognize gerund phrases and their collective function within a sentence. Explain the role of gerunds in making writing more concise and varied. Have you ever noticed how some words that look like verbs can act like nouns? 🤔 Get ready to uncover the secret life of '-ing' words! In this lesson, you'll learn all about gerunds – special words that end in '-ing' but function as nouns. Understanding gerunds will help you analy...

TermDefinitionExample GerundA verb form ending in '-ing' that functions as a noun in a sentence. It can act as a subject, direct object, object of a preposition, or other noun functions.My favorite hobby is *reading*. Gerund PhraseA gerund along with its modifiers (adjectives, adverbs) and/or complements (direct objects, predicate nominatives). The entire phrase functions as a single noun.*Running quickly down the street* is great exercise. SubjectThe noun or pronoun that performs the action of the verb or is described by the verb. A gerund can serve as the subject of a sentence.*Swimming* is a great way to stay fit. Direct ObjectA noun or pronoun that receives the action of a transitive verb. A gerund can be the direct object of a verb.I enjoy *writing* stories. Object of a Pre...

Gerund Form and Function A gerund is always a verb form ending in '-ing' that acts as a noun. To identify a gerund, first look for '-ing' words. Then, determine if the word is performing a noun's job in the sentence (e.g., naming something, being the subject, receiving an action). Distinguishing Gerunds from Present Participles If an '-ing' word functions as a noun, it's a gerund. If it functions as an adjective or part of a verb phrase, it's a present participle. Ask yourself: 'Is this '-ing' word naming an activity or thing?' If yes, it's likely a gerund. If it's describing a noun or is part of a verb like 'is walking,' it's a present participle. Identifying Gerund Functions Ger...