Gerunds are verbs ending in -ing that function as nouns in various roles, such as subjects or objects. They help describe activities and can enhance sentence structure by creating more engaging phrases. For example, 'running is exhausting' and 'my job is reading' illustrate how gerunds can streamline expression.

1. Gerunds Pre-AP English Lesson 9/22/09

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

3. When do we use gerunds? 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 . (hopping = 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.

4. 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. Let’s look at some examples.

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