A gerund always ends in ing and is used as a noun. Eating is fun.

The gerund can be a subject (Eating is fun.); a direct object (I like eating.); a predicate nominative (A fun time is eating.); an appositive (A fun time, eating, takes much time.); an indirect object (I give eating too much time.); or an object of a preposition (I give much time to eating.)

Find the gerunds in the following sentences and tell if they are used as subject, direct object, predicate nominative, appositive, indirect object, or object of the preposition.

1. My father's occupation was farming.

2. My desire, traveling, may happen soon.

3. Writing is sometimes difficult.

4. By saving, we can do our traveling.

5. Some people give gossiping too much time.

1. farming = predicate nominative

2. traveling = appositive

3. writing = subject

4. saving = object of the preposition / traveling = direct object

5. gossiping = indirect object

A gerund always ends in ing and is used as a noun. Eating is fun.

The gerund can be a subject (Eating is fun.); a direct object (I like eating.); a predicate nominative (A fun time is eating.); an appositive (A fun time, eating, takes much time.); an indirect object (I give eating too much time.); or an object of a preposition (I give much time to eating.)

Gerunds can have with them direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives or modifiers to form what is called a gerund phrase. Example: Eating solid foods is hard for babies. Eating is the gerund used as the subject of the verb is. It has its own direct object foods with the adjective solid, which together make up the gerund phrase eating solid foods serving as the subject of the sentence.

Find the gerund phrases in the following sentences and tell if they are used as subject, direct object, predicate nominative, appositive, indirect object, or object of the preposition.

1. My hobby is working with irises.

2. I like pruning the fruit trees.

3. I had only one desire, leaving for home.

4. Writing a good novel is hard work.

5. With his snoring in his sleep, his wife couldn't sleep.

1. working with irises = predicate nominative

2. pruning the fruit trees = direct object

3. leaving for home = appositive

4. writing a good novel = subject

5. his snoring in his sleep = object of the preposition

A gerund always ends in ing and is used as a noun. Eating is fun.

The gerund can be a subject (Eating is fun.); a direct object (I like eating.); a predicate nominative (A fun time is eating.); an appositive (A fun time, eating, takes much time.); an indirect object (I give eating too much time.); or an object of a preposition (I give much time to eating.)

Gerunds can have with them direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives or modifiers to form what is called a gerund phrase. Example: Eating solid foods is hard for babies. Eating is the gerund used as the subject of the verb is. It has its own direct object foods with the adjective solid, which together make up the gerund phrase eating solid foods serving as the subject of the sentence.

Gerunds can be compound. Example: Jeff likes hiking and camping.

Find the gerunds and gerund phrases in the following sentences and tell how they are used (subject, direct object, predicate nominative, appositive, indirect object, or object of the preposition).

1. Directing traffic and helping school children is her job.

2. Do you watch boxing or wrestling?

3. For knitting and sewing you need good eyes.

4. My needs, exercising and losing weight, must be realized soon.

5. My mother gives helping and serving others all her time.

1. directing traffic/helping school children = subjects

2. boxing/wrestling = direct objects

3. knitting/sewing = objects of the preposition

4. exercising/losing weight = appositives

5. helping/serving others = indirect objects

A gerund always ends in ing and is used as a noun. Eating is fun.

The gerund can be a subject (Eating is fun.); a direct object (I like eating.); a predicate nominative (A fun time is eating.); an appositive (A fun time, eating, takes much time.); an indirect object (I give eating too much time.); or an object of a preposition (I give much time to eating.)

Gerunds can have with them direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives or modifiers to form what is called a gerund phrase. Example: Eating solid foods is hard for babies. Eating is the gerund used as the subject of the verb is. It has its own direct object foods with the adjective solid, which together make up the gerund phrase eating solid foods serving as the subject of the sentence.

Gerunds can be compound. (Jeff likes hiking and camping.)

Find the gerunds and gerund phrases in the following sentences and tell how they are used (subject, direct object, predicate nominative, appositive, indirect object, or object of the preposition).

1. Fishing is my friend's favorite sport.

2. By adding more water, we can thin the paint.

3. The law forbids shouting fire in a theater.

4. Mr. Jones enjoys his work, collecting and repairing old stereos.

5. My neighbor's pastime is training guard dogs.

1. fishing = subject

2. adding more water = object of the preposition

3. shouting fire in a theater = direct object

4. collecting/repairing old stereos = appositives

5. training guard dogs = predicate nominative

A gerund always ends in ing and is used as a noun. Eating is fun.

The gerund can be a subject (Eating is fun.); a direct object (I like eating.); a predicate nominative (A fun time is eating.); an appositive (A fun time, eating, takes much time.); an indirect object (I give eating too much time.); or an object of a preposition (I give much time to eating.)

Gerunds can have with them direct objects, predicate nominatives, predicate adjectives or modifiers to form what is called a gerund phrase. Example: Eating solid foods is hard for babies. Eating is the gerund used as the subject of the verb is. It has its own direct object foods with the adjective solid, which together make up the gerund phrase eating solid foods serving as the subject of the sentence.

Gerunds can be compound. (Jeff likes hiking and camping.)

Find the gerunds and gerund phrases in the following sentences and tell how they are used (subject, direct object, predicate nominative, appositive, indirect object, or object of the preposition).

1. Turning off the freeway was our mistake.

2. The secretary's duties are taking minutes and typing letters.

3. You can start this machine by simply pushing this button.

4. His assignment, testing jet planes, is really exciting.

5. In some countries tourists can be arrested for taking pictures.

1. turning off the freeway = subject

2. taking minutes/typing letters = predicate nominatives

3. simply pushing this button = object of the preposition

4. testing jet planes = appositive

5. taking pictures = object of the preposition

Find the gerunds and gerund phrases in the following sentences and tell how they are used (subject, direct object, predicate nominative, appositive, indirect object, or object of the preposition).

1. Cooking gourmet meals can be very expensive.

2. NASA likes shooting at the moon.

3. You need a rereading of the script.

4. Our only hope is taking them by surprise.

5. That man was known for sparing the rod.

6. You cannot do that, parking near a fire hydrant.

7. Our task, driving on that road, was very difficult.

8. Try doing it this way.

9. Just thinking of traveling in space excites many people.

10. I find relaxation in my gardening.

1. cooking gourmet meals = subject

2. shooting at the moon = direct object

3. a rereading of the script = direct object

4. taking them by surprise = predicate nominative

5. sparing the rod = object of the preposition

6. parking near a fire hydrant = appositive

7. driving on that road = appositive

8. doing it this way = direct object

9. just thinking of traveling in space = subject/traveling in space = object of the preposition

10. my gardening = object of the preposition

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