Gerund Phrases and Forms
Becoming an English teacher is an Indirect Object
Before Martin became a journalist, he had given becoming an English teacher serious thought. (Phrase)
Direct Object
Brian enjoys WRITING IN HIS JOURNAL. (Phrase)
Rock Climbing is a Predicate Nomnative
Carrie's passion is rock climbing. (Phrase)
Building is a Predicate Nomnative
Cecil's favorite hobby is building scale models of World War II airplanes. (Form)
A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that is used as a noun
Define Gerund
A gerund phrase consists of a gerund and any modifiers or complements the gerund has. The entire phrase is used as a noun.
Define Gerund Phrase
Object of Preposition
Election officials made an error in COUNTING THE VOTES. (Phrase)
Subject
FLYING IN AN AIRPLANE sounds dangerous, but it is actually quite safe. (Phrase)
Riding a train is an Indirect Object
For our next vacation we may give riding on a train a try. (Phrase)
Indirect Object
Give PLAYING golf another chance. (Form)
Indirect Object
Javier gave FISHING FOR BASS another chance. (Phrase)
Object of Preposition
Javier wants to write an essay about the art of PLAYING VIDEO GAMES. (Phrase)
Predicate Nomnative
Jerry's phobia is SPEAKING to large crowds. (Form)
Predicate Nomnative
Kino's specialty is COOKING mushrooms and onions. (Form)
Direct Object
Laurie loves RUNNING EARLY IN THE MORNING. (Phrase)
Swimming is a Predicate Nomnative
Marie's favorite event is swimming. (Form)
Crackling is a Direct Object
Mr. Riley enjoys the crackling of a campfire on a winter's evening. (Form)
Predicate Nomnative
My hobby is FISHING. (Form)
Collecting is a Direct Object
My sister Tyra has started collecting rocks. (Form)
Predicate Nomnative
One of the President's duties is SERVING AS COMMANDER IN CHEIF. (Phrase)
Subject
PLAYING THE PIANO is a difficult skill to learn. (Phrase)
Playing is a Subject
Playing chess well requires concentration. (Form)
Subject
SKIING is my favorite sport. (Form)
Subject
SPELUNKING is a wonderful adventure. (Form)
Identifying Grecian artifacts is an Object of Preposition
Sally is an expert at identifying Grecian artifacts. (Phrase)
Climbing is a Direct Object
Sam enjoys rock climbing. (Form)
Saving is an Object of Preposition
Sarah believes in saving money for the future. (Form)
Object of Preposition
Saul has shown great interest in SKATING. (Form)
Subject
TRAVELING to new an interesting places is fun. (Form)
None
The SMILING child amused his parents. (Form)
None
The SWERVING CAR avoided the falling tree lying in the road. (Phrase)
The barking of the menacing dog is a Subject
The barking of the menacing dog caused the cat to flee from the yard. (Phrase)
None
The dancing duo amazed the audience with their flawless routine. (Phrase)
Writing is a Subject
The powerful writing made the novel exiting to read. (Form)
Burning down the forest is an Object of Preposition
The settlers cleared part of the land by burning down the forest. (Phrase)
The slow rocking of the boat is a Subject
The slow rocking of the boat made Daniel seasick. (Phrase)
Traveling to distant places is a subject
Traveling to distant places is easier today than is was two hundred years ago.
Rumbling is a Direct Object
We could hear the distant rumbling of thunder. (Form)
Indirect Object
We should give SNORKELING a try. (Form)
Rafting is an Indirect Object
We should give rafting another try. (Form)
Object of Preposition
When did Tori Murden fulfill her dream of ROWING SOLO ACROSS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN? (Phrase)
Campaigning for the class offices is a Direct Object
When did the candidates begin campaigning for the class offices? (Phrase)