Verbals, Gerunds and Gerund Phrases

8th Grade ELA

Verbals and Gerunds

A VERBAL is a word that has a verb form but that functions as another part of speech. There are 3 types of Verbals – Gerunds, Participles, and Infinitives.

GERUNDSA gerund is a verb form used as a noun and ending in “ing.” A gerund phrase includes the gerund, its modifiers, and the words that complete the idea begun by the gerund.

Gerunds

A gerund is a verb form that ends in –ing and is used as a noun.

The playing field is one hundred yards long. (participle/adjective)

Playing is our favorite activity (gerund)

Gerunds

A gerund is a verb form that ends in –ing and is used as a noun.

Like other nouns, a gerund can act as 4 things:

the subject of a sentence direct object the object of a preposition a predicate noun.

Who has my subject?

What is the subject of these sentences?

Dancing is the love of Tiffany’s life. Playing chess is Steve’s secret passion!

Examples: Blocking requires strength. (Subject) The athletes enjoy exercising. (Direct

Object) They maintain endurance

by running. (Object of a Preposition)

His passion is runninglong distances. (predicatenoun)

Gerund Phrases A gerund phrase is a group of words that

includes a gerund and other words that complete its meaning.

Ex. Kicking the ball takes skill. Ex. A team tries scoring a touchdown. A touchdown results from moving the ball

across the goal.

Exercise A.

Identify the gerund or gerund phrase.

Exercise A. 1. A win requires earning more points than

the opponent.

2. Kicking earns points in two different ways in this sport.

3. A team earns three points by kicking a field goal.

4. Teams also try converting for one point after a touchdown.

5. Defending the team’s own goal is crucial.

Exercise A.

6. A team’s defense features tackling. 7. Blocking is another important element of a

good defense. 8. Passing makes football exciting. 9. Testing your skills is an important part of

football.10. Skilled players increase spectators’

enjoyment by adding dramatic action to the game.

Gerunds and It

Gerunds, like noun clauses, can always be replaced by the word it.

Participles and Participial phrases NEVER can. Gerunds are ALWAYS singular so IT will always

work!

Ex. Rob enjoys swimming. Rob enjoys it. Ex. Rob is swimming in a meet

today (doesn’t work)

Examples

The Bears are winning the game (main verb)

The winning team scores the most points (adjective)

Winning is everything! (Gerund)

TOUCHDOWN!!!

Remember…

A gerund is a verb form that ends in –ing and is used as a noun.

A gerund phrase is a group of words that includes a gerund and other words that complete its meaning.

You can replace a gerund or the gerund phrase with the word “IT” and the sentence would still make sense.