Gerunds and Gerund Phrases Worksheet #1

Locating gerunds and gerund phrases should not be difficult for the following reasons:

  1. Gerunds always end in –ing (and, therefore, are in the present participle form of the verb).
  2. Gerund phrases are like participial phrases in the following ways:
  1. They usually start with the gerund or participle. (Occasionally an adverb precedes the verb form but usually not.)
  2. Any objects or modifiers of the gerund are included within the gerund phrase.
  1. Gerunds and gerund phrases are always nouns, so they have the same functions as all nouns: they’re either subjects, objects, or predicate nominatives. If they’re objects, they are typically direct objects or objects of a preposition (not indirect objects).

Examples of single-word gerunds:

  1. Laughing is healthy for the soul. (subject)
  2. Penelope considered abstaining. (direct object)
  3. John is tired of sitting. (object of a preposition)
  4. His goal at the P.F. Chang’s marathon is finishing. (predicate nominative)

Examples of gerund phrases:

  1. Laughing at one’s own gaffes is healthy for the soul. (subject)
  2. Joe considered abstaining from the voting process. (direct object)
  3. John is tired of sitting on his rear. (object of a preposition)
  4. His goal at the P.F. Chang’s marathon is finishing in the top 25% of his age group. (predicate nominative)

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. My uncle attempted running for president on two different occasions.
  2. The man sitting in the lounge chair is charged with extorting money from his relatives.
  3. Specializing in criminal law, the attorney wearing the green dress is preparing for her case.
  4. Passing all his grammar tests is Frank’s goal for the semester.
  5. Frank is now passing all his grammar tests after receiving extra help from various tutors.
  6. The coach’s only goals for the season are winning now and winning always.
  7. Cremating the dead is a practice that is more frequently accepted now than in the past.
  8. After crossing the finish line, the marathon runner ate five massive cheeseburgers.
  9. My grandfather has always enjoyed attending live theater events.
  10. Tammy tried performing in front of a live audience during one of her breaks from school.

Gerunds and Gerund Phrases Worksheet #2

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. Running for president on two previous occasions, the Senator pondered a third run while reclining on his plush leather chair.
  2. No matter what the circumstances, extorting money from relatives is never an honorable activity.
  3. The student gliding across the gym floor is practicing for a future dance rehearsal planned by the PTO.
  4. Melody’s goals for the semester are acing all his tests and earning straight A’s.
  5. Earning high grades requires supreme concentration, dedicated effort, and boundless energy.
  6. The jury’s unmerciful verdict ordered the offending perpetrator to spend the next ten years of his life pining away in a maximum security prison cell.
  7. The strange child was observed smashing dolls’ heads and creating dark masterpieces of cinematic terror.
  8. Before purchasing the gift, Samantha verified that her bank account was adequately funded.
  9. Hiking the entire Appalachian Trail is on Mr. Wenz’s revised bucket list.
  10. Attempting to navigate the Third Level of her new video game, Tanya defeated the villain by skillfully masking her aggressive intentions.