Gerunds

What are gerunds? An verb that ends in –ing and is acting like a noun An verb that ends in –ing and is acting like a noun It can do everything that a noun does It can do everything that a noun does Be the simple subject Be the simple subject Be a subject complement (a direct object or a predicate nominative) Be a subject complement (a direct object or a predicate nominative) Be the object of a preposition Be the object of a preposition

When do we use gerunds? To describe activities To describe activities Running is exhausting and frustrating. (Running = simple subject) I love swimming in the summer time. (swimming = direct object) My job is reading. (reading = predicate nominative) I thanked my English teacher for teaching me about gerunds. (teaching = object of prepositional phrase) They aren’t typically used to describe people or objects. They aren’t typically used to describe people or objects.

Why do we use gerund phrases? Gerund phrases can tidy up a cluttered, messy a sentence. Sentences with gerund phrases are generally descriptive and interesting. Gerund phrases can tidy up a cluttered, messy a sentence. Sentences with gerund phrases are generally descriptive and interesting. Let’s look at some examples. Let’s look at some examples.

Making Gerund Phrases On Sunday afternoons I habitually do laundry. On Sunday afternoons I habitually do laundry. Doing laundry on Sunday afternoon has become my habit. Doing laundry on Sunday afternoon has become my habit. On the weekend I clean my kitchen, which I enjoy. On the weekend I clean my kitchen, which I enjoy. On the weekend I enjoy cleaning my kitchen. On the weekend I enjoy cleaning my kitchen. My greatest challenge in school is to focus while I read. My greatest challenge in school is to focus while I read. My greatest challenge in school is focusing on my reading. My greatest challenge in school is focusing on my reading. Focusing on my reading is my greatest challenge in school. Focusing on my reading is my greatest challenge in school.