Running for office and elections are discussed. Gerunds can function as subjects and objects in sentences. As subjects, gerunds are always singular and require a third-person singular verb. Common verbs followed by gerund objects are discussed. Examples of gerund phrases in dialogues and with "go" are provided for practice. The document provides instruction on identifying and using gerunds as subjects and objects through examples, explanations, and exercises.

1. 9
Elections
Focus on Grammar 3
Part VII, Unit 27
By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells
Copyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Gerunds:
Subject and Object

2. Let’s discuss
improving our
schools.
I will keep
fighting
for a new
hospital.
Running for Office 1
Voting is an important responsibility.

3. Running for Office 2
Choosing a candidate takes time.
I enjoy
working for
the people. Do you resent
paying higher
taxes?

4. Form
work
improve
-ing
-ing
=
=
working
improving
verbverb nounnoun-ing-ing
pay -ing = paying
+
+
+
=+
A gerund is the base form of a verb + -ing.
Gerunds can be used as nouns.

5. is an important responsibility.
a candidate takes time.
Voting
Choosing
singular subject
Gerunds as Subjects
A gerund can be the subject of a sentence. It is
always singular. Use a third-person singular verb
after a gerund.

6. Don’t confuse gerunds with the
present progressive verb form.
Be Careful!
Voting is an important responsibility.
I am voting today.
present progressive
gerund
subject
verb

7. Windsurfing
Complete the sentences
with gerunds.
Example: __________ is very exciting.
Practice 1
1. __________ makes me laugh.
2. __________ gives me a headache.
3. __________ isn’t polite.
4. __________ is popular in my country.
5. __________ destroys the environment.
6. Not __________ can be dangerous.

8. Gerunds as Objects
I suggest improving our schools.
I enjoy working for the people.
suggest
enjoy
verb object
verb object
A gerund can be the object of certain verbs.

9. watching birds
Complete the dialogues
with gerund phrases.Practice 2
1. A: I need a ride to the airport.
B: I don’t mind ____________.
2. A: Dad, can I go outside and play?
B: Have you finished ____________.
3. A: Why did Javier look so sad today?
B: I think he really misses _____________.
Example:
A: Why do Christophe and Hiro go hiking so often?
B: They both enjoy ____________.

10. Gerunds with Go
Ali went jogging with his dog.
Our family goes bowling every Saturday.
We often use go + gerund to describe
activities.

11. 1. 2.
Ask a partner how often he or
she does these activities.Practice 3
How often do you
go dancing?
How often do you
go dancing? I go dancing
every night.
I go dancing
every night.

12. Ask a partner how often he or
she does these activities.Practice 4
3.
4.
5.

13. References
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education
and its licensors. All rights reserved.