Gerunds Gerunds always end in ing They are used in the sentence as nouns and in every way that any other noun can be used: SSwimming is a good exercise. (subject) JJane does not enjoy cooking. (direct object) AAfter eating, relax for a while. (object of preposition) Gerunds can be: 1. Direct objects 2. Indirect objects 3. Objects of the prepositions 4. Subjects 5. Predicate nominatives Gerund Phrases-DO To find out whether or not the gerund has a direct object, begin with the gerund and ask the following question: Gerund + whom/what? = direct object Always follows an action verb Gerund Phrases EExample: GGiving the money proved a mistake. GGiving + What? = money MMoney is the direct object of the gerund. Gerund Phrases- IDO GGerund phrases can also have indirect objects: TTo find out whether or not the gerund phrase has an indirect object, begin with the gerund, locate the direct object, then ask the question to/for whom/what? AAlways follows an action verb. Must have DO Gerund Phrase- Example: Giving Jerry the money proved a mistake. GGiving + what = money (direct object) GGiving money to/for whom? = Jerry JJerry is the indirect object of the gerund phrase. Gerund Phrases- Object of Prep. PPreposition + Gerund Phrase Joe takes pleasure in running three miles each day. OP IIn= Preposition + Running three mile each day= Gerund Phrase= Object of Preposition. Gerunds- Subject Gerunds end in ing Gerunds are nouns. To find out how they function as a subject, Isolate the gerund or gerund phrase Locate the main verb in the sentence and the main direct object (if there is one) Ask the following question: What? + Main verb= Subject Gerunds - Subject WWhat? + the main verb = subject EExample: Giving Jerry the money on Friday night proved a major mistake. PProved is the main verb. Mistake is the direct object. WWhat? + Proved a mistake= Giving Jerry the money TThe gerund phrase is the subject of the main sentence. Gerunds- Predicate Nominative Also called the Subject Complement Subject + Linking verb + what? = Predicate nominative HHis hobby is collecting stamps. HHis mother is driving a car. Note: since the subject hobby cannot do the action of the verb (collect), collecting is a gerund. CCollecting stamps becomes the gerund phrase and it functions as predicate nominative. LLinking verb acts as = Key Questions to Determine Noun Functions in Gerunds SSubject + verb + what? = direct object We cant afford making the same mistake. WWe + cant afford + What? = direct object AAnswer: Making the same mistake is the direct object of the sentence. WWe is the Subject Key Questions to Determine Noun Functions in Gerunds SSubject + verb + direct object + to/for what? = indirect object The tribe gave naming their children extreme importance. TTribe gave importance to what? = naming their children NNaming their children functions as the indirect object of the sentence. Key Questions to Determine Noun Functions in Gerunds PPreposition + gerund phrase = Object of the Preposition EExample: After waiting patiently for an hour Bill left the office. WWaiting patiently for an hour functions as the object of the preposition. Summary of Noun Functions WWhat? + main verb = subject SSubject + verb + what = direct object SSubject + Linking verb + what = predicate nominative SSubject + verb + Direct Object + to/for what? = indirect object PPreposition + gerund phrase = object of the preposition.