Gerunds Pre-AP English Lesson 9/22/09

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.