Gerunds and Participles—Worksheet #3
Directions: Find the single-word verbals and the verbal phrases in the following sentences. If the verbals
are single-word gerunds or gerund phrases, list their function in the sentence (subject, object, PN). If the
verbals are single-word participles or participial phrases, identify the words they modify.
1. Although skiing the Alps was on his Bucket List, Pierre decided to book a luxurious River Cruise
from Prague to Paris instead of embarking on the more adventurous alternative in the
mountains.
Essentials: Pierre
decided
to book … mountains
(S TV DO)
Skiing the Alps—gerund—subject
Embarking … mountains—gerund—object of preposition “of”
2. Finding the source of the Nile was a task attempted by many brave adventurers wanting to
make a name for themselves among globe-trekkers.
Essentials:
Finding … Nile
was
task
(S LV PN)
Finding the source of the Nile—gerund—subject
Attempted by many brave adventurers—participial phrase—modifies “task”
Wanting to make a name for themselves among globe-trekkers—participial phrase—modifies
“adventurers”
3. The poetry of King David, written in Hebrew and translated into hundreds of diverse languages,
continues to inspire legions of Christian followers engaged in spiritual quests.
Essentials:
poetry
continues
to inspire legions
(S TV DO)
Written in Hebrew—participial phrase—modifies “poetry”
Translated into hundreds of diverse languages—participial phrase—modifies “poetry”
Engaged in spiritual quests—participial phrase—modifies “followers”
4. Lou Lou Ghelichkhani, who is featured as lead vocalist on several Thievery Corporation albums,
has a sultry voice suited perfectly for the bossa nova beats of Brazilian bands.
Essentials: Lou Lou Ghelichkhani
has
voice
(S TV DO)
Featured as lead vocalist on … albums—participial phrase—modifies “who”
Suited perfectly for the … bands—participial phrase—modifies “voice”
5. Please give training for your next marathon in the Rockies a chance, even though you would
prefer exercising in more exotic locales such as the Peruvian Andes.
Essentials:
(You)
give
training for your next marathon
You
(would) prefer
chance
exercising … locales
(S TV IO DO)
(S TV DO)
Training for your next marathon—gerund—IO
Exercising in more exotic locales—gerund—DO
6. Appearing on TV for the first time was a dream come true for the fledgling entertainer dreaming
of fame and glory.
Essentials:
Appearing on TV for the first time
was
dream
(S LV PN)
Appearing on TV for the first time---gerund—subject
Come true for the fledgling entertainer—participial phrase—modifies “dream”
Fledgling—modifies “entertainer”
Dreaming of fame and glory—participial phrase—modifies “entertainer”
7. Living in the fast lane eventually takes its toll on entertainers obsessed with the glamorous life
of basking in the media’s spotlight.
Essentials: Living in the fast lane
takes
toll
(S TV DO)
Living in the fast lane—gerund—subject
Obsessed with the glamorous life … spotlight—participial phrase—modifies “entertainers”
Basking in the media’s spotlight—gerund—object of preposition “of”
8. His dream of writing the Great American Novel was bashed by his dog, who greedily ripped
apart his manuscript after shorting out his computer by chewing on its power source.
Essentials:
dream
was
bashed by his dog
(S LV PA)
Who
ripped
manuscript
(S TV DO)
Writing the Great American Novel—gerund—object of preposition “of”
Bashed by his dog—participial phrase—modifies “dream”
Shorting out his computer by chewing on its power source—gerund—object of preposition “after”
Chewing on its power source—gerund—object of preposition “by”
9. Framed by his deceitful sister, the duped victim seemed completely defeated by fate as he sat
dolefully in front of the Grand Jury.
Essentials:
victim
seemed
completely defeated by fate … Grand Jury (S LV PA)
He
sat
(S IV)
Framed by his deceitful sister—participial phrase—modifies “victim”
Duped—participle—modifies “victim”
Completely defeated by fate … Grand Jury—participial phrase—modifies “victim”
10. The fruit rotting in the windowsill was left behind by Nazis raiding the neighborhood.
Essentials:
fruit
was
left behind … neighborhood
(S LV PA)
Rotting in the windowsill—participial phrase—modifies “fruit”
Left behind … neighborhood—participial phrase—modifies “fruit”
Raiding the neighborhood—participial phrase—modifies “Nazis”
11. By destroying their enemy’s arsenal, the victorious army marching toward the capital succeeded
in undermining the morale of their hapless adversaries.
Essentials:
army
succeeded
(S IV)
Destroying their enemy’s arsenal—gerund—object of preposition “by”
Marching toward the capital—participial phrase—modifies “army”
Undermining the morale—gerund—object of preposition “in”