Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases

A gerund is a form of a verb that acts as a _____.

• adjective

• adverb

• verb

• noun

Identify the gerund.

The nagging child was punished for destroying his toys.

• nagging

• was

• punished

• destroying

• was punished

Identify the gerund.

The rising start was renown for her brilliant acting.

• rising

• was

• acting

• was renown

• brilliant

Identify the gerund.

The billing department contracted the employees' willing consent in writing.

• billing

• contracted

• willing

• writing

• consent

Identify the gerund(s).

For most birds, flying is a way to escape terrifying predators.

• is

• flying

• escape

• flying, terrifying

• terrifying

Identify the gerund

Many of the laughing students grumble about the ear-splitting singing.

• laughing

• grumble

• ear-splitting

• singing

• laughing, ear-splitting

Identify the gerunds (check three):

Acting is merely the art of keeping a large group of people from coughing.

• acting

• keeping

• coughing

• art

Identify the gerund phrase.

Ethan was narrowly avoiding driving off the cliff.

• was narrowly avoiding

• driving off the cliff

• Ethan was narrowly avoiding

• off the cliff

• avoiding driving

Identify the gerund phrase.

The frowning artist was thinking of painting my house.

• frowning artist

• was thinking

• artist was thinking of painting

• painting my house

Identify the gerund phrase.

We were noticing people's character by their way of eating jelly beans.

• eating jelly beans

• noticing people's character

• by their way of eating jelly beans

• were noticing