Functions of a Gerund

Gerunds & Gerund Phrases

A verb ending in –ing that functions in a sentence as a NOUN.  Because it can function as a noun, it can be in any place a noun can be:  subject, direct object, subject complement, and object of preposition.

Formulas: To Determine the Function

Key

S = subject

AV = action verb

LV = linking verb

 

A gerund can function in the following ways:

*Subject = word + -ing + V

*Direct Object = S + AV + word + -ing.

*Subject Complement (also known as Predicate Nominative) = S + LV + word + -ing.

*Object of the Preposition = preposition + word + -ing

 

Gerund: Subject Position Example

*Swimming in the lake is her favorite activity. (Swimming in the lake is in the subject position at the beginning of the sentence & is taken all the way to the verb ("is") per where the formula tells us to stop it.)

Gerund: Subject Complement {PredicateNominative} Position Example

*Her favorite activity is swimming in the lake. 

(Swimming in the lake is in the subject complement or predicate nominative position because it comes after the linking verb ("is"); we take it all the way to the end of the sentence based upon where the formula tells us to stop it.)

Gerund: Direct Object Position Example

*She enjoys swimming in the lake. (Swimming in the lake is in the direct object position because it comes after the action verb ("enjoys"); we take it all the way to the end of the sentence based upon where the formula tells us to stop it.)

Gerund: Object of the Preposition Position Example

*We were surprised by the non-stop lightening during the storm. (By the non-stop lightening is in the object of the preposition position as the word + -ing is located after a preposition ("by"); in this case, we determine the gerund phrase by beginning with the preposition and taking it through the word + -ing)