Gerunds are verbals that act as nouns. They end in "-ing" and can play many of the same roles as nouns in sentences, such as subject, direct object, or object of a preposition. Gerunds are harder to remove from sentences than participles because they serve important noun functions, whereas participles are more optional like adjectives. Identifying a phrase as a gerund or participle depends on whether the sentence still makes sense without the phrase.

1. Gerunds Another fabulous VERBAL!

2. Do you remember what a verbal is? It is a verb that is acting like another part of speech! There are only three verbals! Participles…..act as adjectives Gerunds….. act as nouns Infinitives…..act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs

3. The bottom line Gerunds always act like NOUNS. They are very difficult to remove from sentences. Because unlike adjectives, nouns are not optional accessories. Think about it like this……..

4. Gerunds vs. Participles Participles are like TONSILS or APENDENDIXES. They can be REMOVED without a lot of problems. BUT If you remove a person’s HEART, LIVER, or BRAIN, they won’t do as well, right?  These major organs are similar to the role of gerunds in sentences!

5. Another analogy…. Participles are like accessories (earrings.) They act as adjectives, very removable. In fact, you can forget them and that is fine! Gerunds are like pants or shirts. If you leave them out… a problem ensues…. Nouns/gerunds are too important to forget or leave out!

6. What is the point? If you are having trouble differentiating between participles and gerunds, try and remove the phrase! If the phrase is easily removable, it is probably a participial phrase. If you remove the phrase and the sentence does not make much sense, then it is most likely a gerund phrase. Simply because NOUNS are harder to remove than adjectives!

7. GERUNDS They ALWAYS end in “ING.” If the word does not end in “ING,” it is not a gerund! PERIOD! ing ing ing ing ing ing

8. Review Roles of Nouns in Sentences! Nouns Subjects (My dog ran away.) Predicate nominatives (He is my dog .) Objects of prepositions (There is a flea on my dog .) Direct objects (John hit my dog !) Indirect objects (Mom gave John a spanking.) Appositives (My dog Rover is fine.)

9. Examples of Gerunds in these same roles…. Subject: Jogging is good exercise. PN: Her favorite sport is skating . Obj. of prep.: I was grounded from skateboarding. DO: Did you go hiking ?

10. Once you know it is a gerund, how can you decide what “role” it is playing? Here are some hints to help you…. If the word/phrase is at the beginning of the sentence, it is likely to be acting as the subject of the sentence. Running is a great form of exercise. If the word/phrase directly follows a preposition, it is probably acting as the object of the preposition. I am tired of getting up early every morning .

11. More Hints….. If the word/phrase comes after the verb, it is probably a complement. (DO or PN) If it follows an action verb and answers the question “What?”…… a Direct Object! She loves shouting at her brother! If it follows a linking verb and renames the subject of the sentence…a Predicate Nominative! My favorite sport is skiing.

12. Tips of the Trade Do not confuse gerunds with verbs acting as verbs or adjectives. Pausing, the deer was sniffing the wind before stepping into the open meadow. Copy this sentence. Highlight all the verbs you find? Label how each is being used.

13. Pausing , the deer was sniffing the wind before stepping into the open meadow.

14. More examples Sharon’s pleading did not convince her dad at all. He got a ticket for running a red-light. We enjoyed the slow swaying of the boat. She is considering dating that cute guy. My dog’s favorite activity is chewing shoes!

15. Verbals… One more time!!!  Participles act as adjectives. Gerunds act as nouns. Nouns act as subjects, predicate nominatives, objects of prepositions, direct objects, indirect objects and appositives. Infinitives act as adjectives, adverbs, and nouns.