1. Gerund 2 Difference between a gerund and
a gerund phrase used as the object of a preposition
Participial Phrases

2. The punctuation is the reason.2
To talk about actions, we must give them names. We give actions names by adding – ing to verbs, thus changing the verbs into nouns which we call by the special name of gerunds.
Could the word “swinging” be either a present participle or a gerund? Yes, to decide whether an -ing word is a present participle or a gerund, we must see how it is used in the sentence. If the –ing word is used as an adjective, it is a present participle. If the –ing word is used as a noun, it is a gerund.
The punctuation is the reason.

3. 1. Reading this book changed his entire life. Subject Verb 3
Gerund phrase
1. Reading this book changed his entire life.
Subject Verb
Participle phr.
2. Shivering with cold, the dog came into the house.
S V
Gerund Object of the prep. phr.  
3. Before completing her commercial course, Beth was offered a good job.
S V

4. Saving the precious topsoil is one of the aims of conservation.4
Gerund phrase
Subject Verb
Saving the precious topsoil is one of the aims of conservation.
Participle phr Subject Verb
2. Working until midnight, Judy finally completed her theme.
Gerund Object of the prep. phr Subject Verb
3. Before completing her commercial course, Beth was
offered a good job.
Subject Verb
4. Waiting in line can be tiresome.

5. Flying a plane can be an exciting experience. 5
Flying a plane can be an exciting experience.
Reaching for the sugar Jeff knocked over a glass.
Walking for the first time excited the baby.
Looking for a place to swim we walked along the shore.
After staying out past curfew my parents grounded me.
Breaking new ground in cancer research is a challenge many scientists are trying to meet.
Expecting a strike the company bought a large amount of steel.
Unlocking the mystery of the disease will be a major contribution.
Listening carefully in class helps a student.

6. Flying a plane can be an exciting experience. Correct 6
Flying a plane can be an exciting experience. Correct
Reaching for the sugar, Jeff knocked over a glass.
Walking for the first time excited the baby. Correct
Looking for a place to swim, we walked along the shore.
After staying out past curfew, my parents grounded me.
Breaking new ground in cancer research is a challenge many scientists are trying to meet. Correct
Expecting a strike, the company bought a large amount of steel.
Unlocking the mystery of the disease will be a major contribution. Correct
Listening carefully in class helps a student. Correct