Identify Gerunds and Their Functions

GERUNDS

Mini-lesson

Poll

Which sentence contains a gerund?

• Running is good for you.

• I like to run on the weekends.

Gerund = a verb form that ends in –ing
✔snoring
✔playing
✔laughing

Gerund Phrase
✔Includes the gerund plus any modifiers and

complements

✔Always functions as a noun

DEFINITION

-ing

VERBALS

Gerunds are a type of verbal, along with participles
and infinitives.

Basically, that means a gerund is a word that is
normally a verb, but as a gerund, the verb is
functioning as a noun. Magic.

Open Ended

What is a verbal?

FUNCTION#1

1. Gerunds can function as the subject of the

sentence.

Gerund as Subject

Verb

Studyingfor final exams is quite a

challenge.

Gerund Phrase

Poll

1. Find the gerund that is functioning as the subject in each of the following sentences.

• Traveling across the globe is on my bucket list.

• I am traveling across the globe.

• I love traveling across the globe.

Poll

2. Find the gerund that is functioning as the subject in each of the following sentences.

• I love feeding my dog.

• Feeding the dog is my least favorite chore.

• To fee my dog is fun.

Poll

3. Find the gerund that is functioning as the subject in each of the following sentences.

• It is hard for companies to find dependable employees.

• Companies find dependable employees. However, it is hard.

• Finding dependable employees is hard to do.

Poll

4. Find the gerund that is functioning as the subject in each of the following sentences.

• Watching too much TV is unhealthy.

• To watch too much TV is unhealthy

• It is unhealthy to watch too much TV.

Poll

5. Find the gerund that is functioning as the subject in each of the following sentences.

• To drink water is the best thing for you body.

• Drinking water is the best thing for your body.

• The best thing for your body is drinking water.

Answers

Directions: Find the gerund that is functioning as the
subject in each of the following sentences.

1.

Traveling across the globe / is on my bucket list.

2.

Feeding the dog / is my least favorite chore.

3.

Finding dependable employees / is hard to do.

4.

Watching too much television / is unhealthy.

5.

Drinking water / is the best thing for your body.

FUNCTION#2

1. Gerunds can function as direct objects.

Subject Verb (Jackson loves what?)

Jackson loves hunting deer and

pheasants.

Gerund Phrase as D.O.

Poll

1. Find the gerund that is functioning as the direct object in each of the following sentences.

• In the winter, Sammy favors skiing.

• Skiing is Sammy's favorite sport in the winter.

• Sammy loves to ski in the winter.

Poll

2. Find the gerund that is functioning as the direct object in each of the following sentences.

• Drinking hot chocolate is Arnie's favorite.

• Arnie enjoys drinking hot chocolate.

• Arnie likes to drink hot chocolate.

Poll

3. Find the gerund that is functioning as the direct object in each of the following sentences.

• Ben hit his bird in the face.

• Regretting hitting his bird in the face was Ben's worst moment.

• Ben regretted hitting his bird in the face.

Poll

4. Find the gerund that is functioning as the direct object in each of the following sentences.

• Suzanne avoided doing her homework.

• Avoiding doing her homework was Suzanne's biggest problem.

• Susanne always avoided doing her homework.

Poll

5. Find the gerund that is functioning as the direct object in each of the following sentences.

• I teach children as my job.

• My job involves teaching children.

• Teaching children is my job.

Answers

Directions: Find the gerund that is functioning as
the direct object in each of the following
sentences.

1.

In the winter, Sammy favors skiing.

2.

Arnie enjoys drinking hot chocolate.

3.

Ben regretted hitting his bird in the face.

4.

Suzanne avoided doing her homework.

5.

My job involves teaching children.

REMEMBER:

GERUNDS ARE NOUNS, NOT VERBS!

The girl’s favorite

pastimeis singingin

the shower.

Subject – pastime

Verb – is

Pastime is what?

Predicate

Nominative – singing

in the shower

GERUND
VERB

The girl is singing in the

shower.

Subject – girl

Verb – is singing

Let’s Review!

Watch this video, and let’s
recap what we have
learned.

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol7grqZrI5g