Download The Gerund

THE GERUND
The verbal that everyone seems
to forget the instant that they
learn it. It’s just so sad to be
forgotten in this manner.
What is a Gerund?
• A gerund is a verb form ending in –ing that acts like a noun in
sentences.
• Like a noun, a gerund may be a subject, a predicate
nominative, a direct object, an indirect object, or an object of
a preposition.
• DO NOT CONFUSE THE GERUND WITH THE PRESENT
PARTICIPLE!!!
• Present participles are used as an adjective, or it may be part
of a verb phrase.
• As an adjective: The clanking bell ticked me off!
• As part of a verb phrase: We have been trying, but
understanding gerunds is a difficult business indeed.
THE GERUND AS A
SUBJECT
Remember, there are two parts to
a sentence: a subject (what the
sentence is about) and a predicate
(what action is the subject
participating).
It is very important to review the
meanings of each part of the
sentence as we move through
understanding Gerunds.
Harry Potter is acting the fool.
Subject: Harry Potter
Present Participle: is acting
Here, “acting” is a participle and
not a gerund.
Acting is Daniel Radcliffe’s
specialty.
Here, “acting” is a subject Gerund.
Gerund as a Predicate
Nominative.
• A predicate nominative is a word
or word group that is in the
predicate and that identifies the
subject or refers to it.
• Okay, what the heck does that
mean???
• Remember, there are two parts of
the sentence: a subject and a
predicate. The predicate starts
with the verb. Now, let’s reread
the definition.
• Ms. Richards’ talent is teaching.
• Notice that “Ms. Richards’” is not
the subject of the sentence…
“talent” is.
• Now, what is her talent? Teaching.
• The participle “teaching” is used
as a predicate nominative in this
sentence.
• Gerund as a Direct
Object.
• Remember, a direct object is
the noun in the predicate
phrase that tells who or what
receives the action of the
verb.
• The result of the action (verb)
performed by the subject
(noun) is the direct object
(noun)
• Ramen NoOdLes loves
jumping.
• “jumping” is the direct
object, and it is also a gerund.
Why? Because it is an activity
that Ramen NoOdLes loves.
Gerunds as Indirect Objects
• Remember, indirect objects
are nouns, pronouns, or
word group that precedes
the direct object.
• At the park, Ramen gives
playing all his attention.
• I have given diving a fair
try, but I still do not like it.
Gerunds as Objects of Prepositions
• Remember, a prepositional phrase
has an object, too. It’s called the
“object of the preposition.” Go
figure.
• Objects of prepositions are nouns or
pronouns.
• Example: Ramen NoOdLes loves
being at the park.
• “at the park” is the prepositional
phrase. “park” is the noun which is
the object of the preposition.
• I know no way of judging the cutest
dog competition.
• Patrick Henry gained fame by
speaking.
The Twilight Zone of
Gerund Phrases!
• First let’s define what
a phrase is: A phrase
is NOT a sentence,
but part of a
sentence.
• We speak in phrases
and write in
sentences.
• The Gerund Phrase
consists of a gerund
and all of the words
related to it.
Gerund Phrases
Continued…
Gerunds, like
nouns, may have
modifiers or
complements.
Like the gerund, a
gerund phrase
always functions as
a noun…so the
WHOLE phrase is
acting like the
noun.
The Gerund Phrase
Continued…
Below, “Consuming
Brazil” is the subject
gerund Phrase…
Consuming Brazil may be
Ramen NoOdLe’s
favorite pastime.
Below, “by lying” is the
object of the preposition
gerund phrase…
Brazil may try to find the
means of effective
resistance, by lying
supinely on their backs.
Yet, Ramen NoOdLe’s
shall consume them!
REMEMBER NOT TO CONFUSE
A GERUND WITH A PRESENT
PARTICIPLE USED AS AND
ADJECTIVE OR AS PART OF A
VERB PHRASE!!!
Verb Phrase: Mom, I have
been trying to be nice for
three years now!
Participle: And judging by my
past behavior, I’ve not been
very nice to people. Why?
Because they breathe.
Yay! Any questions about Gerunds or Gerund
Phrases? Asking now would be a good idea!