Gerunds

In the sentence 'My favorite hobby is drawing,' what is the word 'drawing'?

• An action verb

• A noun called a gerund

• An adjective

• A preposition

Answer explanation

'Drawing' is a gerund because it's formed from a verb but acts as a noun that renames the subject 'hobby'. It is not showing an action or describing another noun in this sentence.

Complete the sentence: _____ is a fun way to spend a Saturday.

• Playing video games

• Play video games

• Are playing video games

• Played video games

Answer explanation

The sentence needs a subject, and the gerund phrase 'Playing video games' acts as a single noun subject. The other options are not grammatically correct forms to start this sentence.

True or False: In the sentence 'I love cooking,' the word 'cooking' is a gerund.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The word 'cooking' is a gerund because it is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun. Here, it is the direct object of the verb 'love'.

In which sentence is the -ing word used as a gerund (a noun)?

• My sister is practicing her speech.

• My dad enjoys watching old movies.

• That running water is very cold.

• Building is hard work.

Answer explanation

'Watching old movies' is a gerund phrase acting as the direct object of the verb 'enjoys'. In the other options, the -ing words are part of a verb phrase, an adjective, or a subject.

Complete the sentence: My mom is great at ____ delicious cookies.

• bake

• bakes

• baking

• baked

Answer explanation

The word 'at' is a preposition, which must be followed by a noun or a gerund. 'Baking' is the gerund form that correctly acts as the object of the preposition 'at'.

Which sentence contains a gerund, not a present participle used as an adjective or part of a verb?

• The crying baby kept everyone awake.

• I heard someone whispering in the hall.

• My least favorite chore is cleaning my room.

• Are you going to the party?

Answer explanation

In this sentence, 'cleaning my room' is a gerund phrase that renames the subject 'chore'. In the other options, the -ing words act as adjectives ('crying', 'whispering') or part of a verb phrase ('are going').

True or False: In 'Her main goal is winning the championship,' the phrase 'winning the championship' acts as the subject.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The subject is 'goal'. The gerund phrase 'winning the championship' follows the linking verb 'is' and renames the subject, so it functions as a predicate nominative, not the subject.

In the sentence 'Baking fresh bread takes a lot of time,' what is the complete gerund phrase?

• Baking

• Baking fresh bread

• fresh bread

• takes a lot of time

Answer explanation

A gerund phrase includes the gerund ('Baking') plus any objects or modifiers related to it ('fresh bread'). The entire phrase acts as the subject of the verb 'takes'.

Complete the sentence: My brother and I finished ____ our homework an hour ago.

• to do

• doing

• did

• does

Answer explanation

The verb 'finished' is typically followed by a gerund that acts as the direct object, explaining what action was completed. 'Doing' is the correct gerund form.

Read the two sentences: 1. He is building a model airplane. 2. Building a model airplane is his hobby. How is the word 'building' used in each sentence?

• Gerund in both sentences.

• Part of a verb in sentence 1; a gerund in sentence 2.

• A gerund in sentence 1; part of a verb in sentence 2.

• Part of a verb in both sentences.

Answer explanation

In sentence 1, 'is building' is a verb phrase showing an ongoing action. In sentence 2, 'Building a model airplane' is a gerund phrase acting as the noun subject of the sentence.