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Gerunds
Gerunds
Gerunds
Gerunds always end in ing They are used in the sentence as nouns and in every way that any other noun can be used:
Swimming is a good exercise. (subject) Jane does not enjoy cooking. (direct object) After eating, relax for a while. (object of preposition)
Gerund Phrases
Like participles, gerunds can have a direct object. To find out whether or not the gerund has a direct object, begin with the gerund and ask the following question: Gerund + whom/what? = direct object
Gerund Phrases
Example: Giving the money proved a mistake.
Gerund Phrases
Gerund phrases can also have indirect objects: To find out whether or not the gerund phrase has an indirect object, begin with the gerund, locate the direct object, then ask the question to/for whom/what?
Gerund Phrase
Example: Giving Jerry the money proved a mistake. Giving + what = money (direct object) Giving money to/for whom? = Jerry Jerry is the indirect object of the gerund phrase.
Gerund Phrases
Gerund phrases can also have prepositional phrases in them: Giving Jerry the money on Friday night proved a major mistake. Since on Friday night tells when? The prepositional phrase functions as an adverb. It completes the gerund phrase.
Gerunds
Gerunds end in ing Gerunds are nouns. To find out how they function as a noun, isolate the gerund or gerund phrase, locate the main verb in the sentence and the main direct object (if there is one). Ask the following question:
Summary
Gerunds always end with ing Gerunds are always nouns Gerunds can be
Subjects Direct objects Indirect objects Objects of the prepositions Predicate nominatives
Note
Ask the key questions:
What + the verb = subject Subject + verb + what = Direct object Subject + linking verb + what = Predicate nominative Subject + verb + direct object + to/for what = indirect object Preposition + gerund = object of the preposition