Gerunds

GerundsGerunds

GerundsGerundsGerunds always end in –ingGerunds always end in –ing

They are used in the sentence as They are used in the sentence as nouns and in every way that any nouns and in every way that any other noun can be used:other noun can be used:– Swimming is a good exercise. (subject)Swimming is a good exercise. (subject)– Jane does not enjoy cooking. (direct Jane does not enjoy cooking. (direct

object)object)– After eating, relax for a while. (object of After eating, relax for a while. (object of

preposition)preposition)

Gerund PhrasesGerund Phrases

Like participles, gerunds can have a Like participles, gerunds can have a direct object.direct object.

To find out whether or not the gerund To find out whether or not the gerund has a direct object, begin with the has a direct object, begin with the gerund and ask the following question:gerund and ask the following question:

Gerund + whom/what? = direct Gerund + whom/what? = direct objectobject


Example:Example:

Giving the money proved a mistake.Giving the money proved a mistake.

Giving + What? = moneyGiving + What? = money

Money is the direct object of the Money is the direct object of the gerund.gerund.


Gerund phrases can also have Gerund phrases can also have indirect objects:indirect objects:

To find out whether or not the To find out whether or not the gerund phrase has an indirect object, gerund phrase has an indirect object, begin with the gerund, locate the begin with the gerund, locate the direct object, then ask the question direct object, then ask the question to/for whom/what?to/for whom/what?

Gerund PhraseGerund PhraseExample:Example:

Giving Jerry the money proved a Giving Jerry the money proved a mistake.mistake.

Giving + what = money (direct Giving + what = money (direct object)object)

Giving money Giving money to/for whom? = Jerryto/for whom? = Jerry

Jerry is the indirect object of the Jerry is the indirect object of the gerund phrase.gerund phrase.

Gerund PhrasesGerund PhrasesGerund phrases can also have Gerund phrases can also have prepositional phrases in them:prepositional phrases in them:

Giving Jerry the money on Friday Giving Jerry the money on Friday night proved a major mistake.night proved a major mistake.

Since Since on Friday night on Friday night tells tells when? when? The prepositional phrase functions as The prepositional phrase functions as an adverb. It completes the gerund an adverb. It completes the gerund phrase.phrase.

GerundsGerundsGerunds end in –ingGerunds end in –ing

Gerunds are nouns.Gerunds are nouns.

To find out how they function as a To find out how they function as a noun, isolate the gerund or gerund noun, isolate the gerund or gerund phrase, locate the main verb in the phrase, locate the main verb in the sentence and the main direct object (if sentence and the main direct object (if there is one). Ask the following there is one). Ask the following question:question:

Key Questions to Determine Noun Key Questions to Determine Noun Functions in GerundsFunctions in Gerunds

What? + the main verb = subjectWhat? + the main verb = subjectExample:Example:– Giving Jerry the money on Friday night Giving Jerry the money on Friday night

proved a major mistake.proved a major mistake.– ProvedProved is the main verb. is the main verb. Mistake Mistake is is

the direct object.the direct object.– What? + What? + Proved a mistake=Giving Proved a mistake=Giving

Jerry the moneyJerry the money– The gerund phrase is the subject of the The gerund phrase is the subject of the

main sentence.main sentence.


Subject + verb + what? = direct objectSubject + verb + what? = direct object

We can’t afford making the same mistake.We can’t afford making the same mistake.

We + can afford + We + can afford + What?What? = = direct direct objectobject

Answer:Answer:

Making the same mistake Making the same mistake is the direct is the direct object of the sentence.object of the sentence.


Preposition + gerund phrase = Preposition + gerund phrase = Object of the PrepositionObject of the Preposition

Example:Example:

AfterAfter waiting patiently for an hour waiting patiently for an hour Bill left the office.Bill left the office.

Waiting patiently for an hour Waiting patiently for an hour functions as the functions as the object of the object of the preposition.preposition.


Subject + verb + direct object + Subject + verb + direct object + to/for what? = indirect objectto/for what? = indirect object

The tribe gave naming their children The tribe gave naming their children extreme importance.extreme importance.

Tribe gave importance Tribe gave importance to what?to what? = = naming their childrennaming their children

Naming their children Naming their children functions as functions as the indirect object of the sentence.the indirect object of the sentence.


Subject + Linking verb + what? = Subject + Linking verb + what? = Predicate nominativePredicate nominativeHis hobby is collecting stamps.His hobby is collecting stamps.His mother is driving a car.His mother is driving a car.Note: Note: since the subject hobby cannot do since the subject hobby cannot do the action of the verb (collect), collecting the action of the verb (collect), collecting is a gerund.is a gerund.Collecting stamps becomes the gerund Collecting stamps becomes the gerund phrase and it functions as predicate phrase and it functions as predicate nominative.nominative.

Summary of Noun FunctionsSummary of Noun FunctionsWhat? + main verb = subject What? + main verb = subject

Subject + verb + what = direct Subject + verb + what = direct objectobject

Subject + Linking verb + what = Subject + Linking verb + what = predicate nominativepredicate nominative

Subject + verb + Direct Object + Subject + verb + Direct Object + to/for what? = indirect objectto/for what? = indirect object

Preposition + gerund phrase = Preposition + gerund phrase = object of the preposition. object of the preposition.

SummarySummary

Gerunds always end with –ingGerunds always end with –ing

Gerunds are always nounsGerunds are always nouns

Gerunds can beGerunds can be– SubjectsSubjects– Direct objectsDirect objects– Indirect objectsIndirect objects– Objects of the prepositionsObjects of the prepositions– Predicate nominativesPredicate nominatives

NoteNote

Ask the key questions:Ask the key questions:– What + the verb = subjectWhat + the verb = subject– Subject + verb + what = Direct objectSubject + verb + what = Direct object– Subject + linking verb + what = Subject + linking verb + what =

Predicate nominativePredicate nominative– Subject + verb + direct object + to/for Subject + verb + direct object + to/for

what = indirect objectwhat = indirect object– Preposition + gerund = object of the Preposition + gerund = object of the

preposition preposition

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Gerunds