Gerunds and Verbal Functions

gerunds, infinitives, and participles

There are 3 types of Verbals

A verbal is a word that is formed from a verb and acts like a noun, adjective, or adverb.

​Verbal

Verbals

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Gerund

A gerund is a verbal that ends in -ing and acts like a noun

Ex. Inventing can be dangerous.

Gerund Phrases

A gerund phrase consists of a gerund plus its modifiers and complements.

Ex. Calling the monster Frankenstein is a mistake.

Ex. I like watching Stranger Things.

A gerund can create a "special effect" in a sentence by adding a sense of motion or action.

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"My head ached, and I fancied a ringing in my ears. The ringing became more distant.

Why it matters...

Multiple Choice

Select the gerund in the following sentence.

Mary Shelley is famous for creating the Gothic novel Frankenstein.

• famous

• creating

• is

• novel

Multiple Choice

Select the gerund from the following sentence.

Completing Frankenstein at 19 was an incredible accomplishment.

• completing

• was

• incredible

• 19

Multiple Choice

Select the gerund from the following sentence.

One night, after listening to ghost stories, Mary and three others agreed to write stories.

• listening

• agreed

• to write

• One

Multiple Choice

Select the gerund from the following sentence.

Falling asleep during class is considered rude.

• during

• class

• is

• falling

Multiple Choice

Select the gerund phrase from the following sentence.

Dancing in the Nutcracker has always been my dream.

• has been

• my dream

• Dancing in the Nutcracker

• in the Nutcracker

Multiple Choice

Select the gerund phrase from the following sentence.

Opening gifts is my favorite thing to do on Christmas.

• gifts is

• my favorite thing

• Opening

• Opening gifts