Gerund and Participle Identification Quiz

Grabbing his coat, Tim hastily pursued the suspect.

• Gerund

• Participle

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'hastily' modifies the action of pursuing, making 'hastily' a participle. A gerund functions as a noun, while a participle acts as an adjective or part of a verb phrase. Thus, the correct answer is 'Participle'.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.4C

CCSS.L.8.1A

My mother, knowing that I am not perfect, loves me.

• Participle

• Gerund

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'knowing' is a participle that describes the mother. It functions as an adjective, modifying 'mother'. A gerund would act as a noun, which is not the case here. Thus, the correct answer is 'Participle'.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.4C

CCSS.L.8.1A

For stage actors, rehearsing is an essential part of their craft.

• Participle

• Gerund

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'rehearsing' functions as a noun, indicating the action of rehearsal. This makes it a gerund, which is a verb form ending in -ing that acts as a noun, rather than a participle, which modifies nouns.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.4C

CCSS.L.8.1A

The changing of the guards takes place at Buckingham Palace every day.

• Participle

• Gerund

Answer explanation

The phrase 'changing of the guards' uses 'changing' as a gerund, which functions as a noun. It describes the action of changing, making it the correct choice over a participle, which would modify a noun.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.4C

CCSS.L.8.1A

My new stepmother loves spending my dad’s money; she does it liberally.

• Gerund

• Participle

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'spending' is a gerund, functioning as a noun that describes the action of using money. It is derived from the verb 'spend' and is used here to indicate what the stepmother enjoys doing.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.1A

Whispering at the back of the room, the girls never heard the teacher’s instructions.

• Gerund

• Participle

Answer explanation

The phrase 'Whispering at the back of the room' uses 'whispering' as a participle, describing the girls. It indicates an ongoing action related to the subject, making 'participle' the correct choice.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.4C

CCSS.L.8.1A

New studies have shown that smiling has been proven to reduce stress.

• Participle

• Gerund

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'smiling' functions as a noun, indicating the action of smiling. This makes it a gerund, which is a verb form ending in -ing that acts as a noun. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Gerund'.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.4C

CCSS.L.8.1A

James threw the boring book aside and turned to his computer.

• Participle

• Gerund

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'threw' is the main verb, and 'boring' describes the book, functioning as an adjective. 'Boring' is a participle, derived from the verb 'bore', used here to modify 'book'. Thus, the correct choice is 'Participle'.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.4C

CCSS.L.8.1A

The students loved their new English teacher; they found her to be really interesting.

• Participle

• Gerund

Answer explanation

The phrase 'found her to be really interesting' uses 'interesting' as a participle, describing the teacher. A participle is a verb form used as an adjective, while a gerund functions as a noun. Hence, the correct answer is 'Participle'.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.4C

CCSS.L.8.1A

Sue couldn’t concentrate; she had been kept awake all night by her neighbor’s barking dogs.

• Gerund

• Participle

Answer explanation

The phrase 'kept awake' uses 'kept' as a participle, describing the state caused by the barking dogs. A gerund would function as a noun, but here 'kept' modifies 'Sue', making 'Participle' the correct choice.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.4C

CCSS.L.8.1A