Gerunds - Exercise 4

Directions: Locate the gerund (gerund phrase) in each sentence. Then identify the gerund's
function in the sentence as subject, direct object, subjective complement, object of preposition,
or appositive.
Note: If the gerund is part of a gerund phrase, include the whole phrase in your answer.
1. Manny argued strongly against recounting the vote.
gerund phrase =
function =
2. Most of the time, swimming at the beach is safe.
gerund phrase =
function =
3. My job is making reservations for overnight guests at the hotel.
gerund phrase =
function =
4. His greatest asset, typing two hundred words per minute, has earned him a better position at
the company.
gerund phrase =
function =
5. Joe doesn't like getting up early on Saturdays.
gerund phrase =
function =
6. After saving the dog's life, the young man was given an award.
gerund phrase =
function =
7. Marion always enjoys smiling at the camera.
gerund phrase =
function =
8. The science lab posts stringent rules about dissecting animals.
gerund phrase =
function =
9. The students didn't want to bring the speaker to the meeting of the student council.
gerund phrase =
function =
10. The school proposed a new rule: prohibiting the use of cell phones on campus .
gerund phrase =
function =

1. The gerund phrase is recounting the vote. It functions as an object of a

preposition (against).
 Manny argued strongly against recounting the vote.
objects of prepositions.
2. The gerund phrase is swimming at the beach. It functions as a subject.
Most of the time, swimming at the beach is safe.
subjects.
3. The gerund phrase is making reservations for overnight guests at the hotel. It functions
as a subjective complement.
My job is making reservations for overnight guests at the hotel.
subjectivecomplements.
4. The gerund phrase is typing two hundred words per minute. It functions as
an appositive.
His greatest asset, typing two hundred words per minute, has earned him a better
position at the company
appositives.
5. The gerund getting up early on Saturdays. It functions as a direct object.
Joe doesn't like getting up early on Saturdays.
directobjects.
6. The gerund phrase is saving the dog's life. It functions as an object of a
preposition (after)..
After saving the dog's life, the young man was given an award.
objectsofprepositions.
7. The gerund phrase is smiling at the camera. It functions as a direct object.
Marion always enjoys smiling at the camera.
directobjects.
8. The gerund phrase is dissecting animals. It functions as an object of a
preposition (about).
The science lab posts stringent rules about dissecting animals.
objectsofprepositions.
9. The gerund phrase is the meeting of the student council. It functions as an object
ofapreposition (to). objectsofprepositions.
10. The gerund phrase is prohibiting the use of cell phones on campus. It functions as
an appositive.
The school proposed a new rule: prohibiting the use of cell phones on campus.

MULTIPLE CHOICE: Read the sentences correctly. Identify the function of underlined gerund
in the sentence by encircling the correct answer.
1. Rosalie keeps herself busy by writingpoems. a. Direct object b.Object of the preposition c.
Subjective complement d. Appositive
2. Exercisingis good for the body and mind. a. Object of the preposition b. Subjective
complement c. Direct object d.Subject
3. Cynthia’s pastime after work is making a vlog. a. Appositive b. Subject c.Object of the
preposition d. Direct object
4. Manny Pacquiao’s sports, boxing, is what made him very influential. a. Direct object b. Object
of the preposition c. Subjective complement d.Appositive
5. I enjoyed travelingto different places during vacation. a. Object of the preposition b.
Subjective complement c.Direct object d. Subject
6. Sheila did stretchingexercises before her daily run. a. Appositive b. Subject c. Object of the
preposition d.Direct object
7. He does cookingevery time there is family dinner. a.Direct object b. Object of the preposition
c. Subjective complement d. Appositive
8. I fell asleep while readinga romance novel. a.Object of the preposition b. Direct object c.
Subject d. Subjective complement 9. My profession, teaching, requires a lot of patience and
hardwork. a. Subject b.Appositive c. Direct object d. Objective complement
10. The police arrested him for overspeeding. a. Subject b. Direct object c. Subjective
complement d.Object of the preposition
11. Travelingmight satisfy your desire for new experiences. a.Subject b. Direct object c.
Subjective complement d. Appositive
12. Most adults enjoy their leisure activity by gardening. a. Subjective complement b.Object of
the preposition c. Direct object d. Subject
13. Ethan avoided doinghis homework because the ducks were playing the cougars. a. Subject
b.Direct object c. Subjective complement d. Appositive
14. My favorite pastime, hunting, was taking up too much time. a.Appositive b. Subject c. Direct
objec