Verbals: Gerunds
I can explain and identify
the function of verbals
(gerunds).
You have learned that a participle
is one kind of verbal. Another
kind of verbal is a gerund.
Bowling is a very old sport.
 Gardening is a satisfying hobby.
 Collecting baseball cards can be a
lucrative pastime.

A gerund is the present participle
of a verb (the –ing form) used as
a noun.
In a sentence a gerund can function in
all of the ways that a noun does.
 Subject: Reading is my favorite activity.
 D.O. : I enjoy reading.
 Object of Preposition: Today is a good
day for reading.
 Predicate Noun: My favorite activity is
reading.

To determine whether a word ending in
–ing is a verb, participle, or gerund, you
must see how the word is used in the
sentence.
 First find the simple subject and the
simple predicate. They will help you
know whether a word is a gerund.

Cora and Andy are running in tomorrow’s big
race. (Running is part of the verb phrase are
running)
 The running water overflowed. (Running is a
participle, modifying the subject water)
 Running is both a fun and healthful exercise.
(Running is the subject of this sentence. It is
a gerund)

Find each gerund in these sentences. Is it used
as a subject, D.O. , object of a preposition, or
a predicate noun?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Sketching is fun for me.
Marya exercises everyday by swimming.
Her other leisure activity is painting.
She and I are singing in the chorus tonight.
Of all my interests, I care most about
reading.
Traveling comes second or third on my list
of favorites.
What is the most interesting hobby for you?
Find each gerund in these sentences. Is it used
as a subject, D.O. , object of a preposition, or
a predicate noun?





8. A hobby can be anything from fishing to
painting.
9. Few things are better for relaxing than a
satisfying hobby.
10. Some people enjoy gardening whereas
others prefer reading.
11. Gardening gloves protect the hands of
those who do yard work.
12. Many people find pleasure in painting,
sculpting, or carving.
Find each gerund in these sentences. Is it used
as a subject, D.O. , object of a preposition, or
a predicate noun?





13. Practical hobbies include sewing,
building, and cooking.
14. Skating, skiing, and swimming are some
healthful hobbies.
15. Reading about faraway places is
satisfying to many people.
16. People of all ages relax and get in shape
by jogging.
17. In fact, running has become a hobby as
much as an exercise.
Find each gerund in these sentences. Is it used
as a subject, D.O. , object of a preposition, or
a predicate noun?
18. Winston Churchill, a former Prime
Minister of Great Britain, liked painting
and writing.
 19. Collecting was President Franklin D.
Roosevelt’s hobby, and he acquired an
amazing stamp collection.
 20. President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s
favorite kind of exercise was golfing.
