Parts of Speech: Gerunds and Their Sentence Functions Parts of speech are the building blocks of sentences: form follows function.
GERUNDS have the same functions as NOUNS in sentences. They are classified as verbals because they are formed by adding -ing to the base form of a verb.
A gerund can be the subject of a sentence. The
gerund subject can be a single word or a gerund
phrase 1. Learning is a
lifelong process. 2. Learning to speak and write English
well takes a lot of practice and confidence.
A gerund can be the object
of a preposition. It can be a single word or a
phrase. 1. James is not known for
studying. 2. He failed his
last exam on identifying the parts of speech.
Punctuation Note: Just as you would never separate a
subject or a direct object from its verb or an object from
the preposition it follows, gerunds and gerund phrases never require
punctuation.
Recognizing gerunds
and gerund phrases and their functions in sentences:
• Click the gerund in the following
sentences to see the whole gerund
phrase. • Reread the sentence to
determine the function of the gerund or gerund
phrase. • Select its
sentence function: subject, direct object, object of a preposition, subject complement. • Then click outside the answer frame or hit the tab key.
1. Increasing the vehicle license feeIncreasing the vehicle license fee angered most California residents. (Click the gerund. Select the sentence function.)
2. Arold Schwarzenegger appealed to California voters
by promising
to rescind the vehicle license feepromising
to rescind the vehicle license fee.
3. Many people would recommend delaying
the legal age for driving delaying
the legal age for driving.
4. Giving
a license to sixteen-year-old kids Giving
a license to sixteen-year-old kids is often risky.
5. If you have vision problems, you shouldn't risk
driving
at nightdriving
at night.
6. Why did Richard have to delay getting
his driver's license getting
his driver's license.
7. Before Sarah takes her driver's test, she has to
practice parallel parkingparking.
8. If you get stopped for a traffic violation, you
should avoid arguing
with the police officer arguing
with the police officer.
9. The most dangerous part of a driving instructor's
job is having
the new driver enter a freeway having
the new driver enter a freeway.
10. When Maria got her third ticket for speeding
speeding,
her father took her license away.
11. You can get a ticket for not
using your turn signalnot
using your turn signal. Note the negative form of the gerund.
12. The difference between an injury accident and a
fatal one can simply be wearing
a seatbelt wearing
a seatbelt.
Some verbs require a gerund as a direct object. The table below lists some of these verbs. Click on the icon to see example sentences with gerund objects after these verbs.
admit
appreciate
avoid
He admitted committing the crime. I appreciate your helping me.
He avoided seeing his ex-girlfriend.
can't help
can't stand
consider
I can't help being late. I can't stand listening to loud rock music. Have you considered getting help for your reading problem?
delay
deny
detest
Maria delayed getting her teeth fixed. Tom denied taking my dictionary. Anna detests giving herself a shot everyday.
dislike
enjoy
escape
I dislike getting up early. Tom enjoys relaxing on weekends. Robert escaped getting caught by the police.
forbid
get/be tired of
get/be accustomed to
The rules forbid eating in the library. I'm tired of studying. Mr.Tran has gotten accustomed to living in his new environment.
get
be / get used to
imagine
Lisa can't get used to working six days a week. Jack couldn't give up smoking. Can you imagine traveling to the moon?
mind
miss
permit
Would you mind being quiet for a while?
Jane misses seeing her friend who moved out of town.
The weather won't permit hiking today.
Note: When the verb permit is followed by an indirect object, the infinitive object must be used. The school doesn't permit students to smoke in the classroom.
postpone
practice
quit
Suzanne has postponed having surgery.
Please practice pronouncing /b/ and /v/ clearly.
I'm afraid Mr. Chu will never quit smoking.
recall
recommend
regret
Note the possessive noun (John's) before a gerund and the perfect form of gerunds having been here...having broken up with....to show completed experience or action before present time.
I can't recall ever having been here before. The nutritionist recommends John's going on a lowfat diet. Paul regrets having broken up with his girlfriend.
resent
resume
stop
I resent your being dishonest with me.
We will resume our reading after the break.
Please stop annoying your sister.
spend/waste (time or money)
suggest
tolerate
Tom spends way too much time watching TV.
Teenagers spend way too much money buying superfluous unnecessary
things. She wasted so much time complaining about her workload.
Dan wastes so much money eating in restaurants. His dad suggested starting a savings plan.
Tom can't tolerate working with lazy people.
Using gerunds in sentences: The following sentences about athletes and athletics have a missing gerund. Complete the sentences by selecting a verb from the table below and writing its gerund form. Then hit enter or the tab key. Green signals correct.
have
wrap
rain
play
soak
rest
pull
yell
get
break
lose
be
miss
fall
1. Jason is a basketball player. He has a bad sprainInjury to a joint caused by twisting it
, which requires his ankle tightly before each practice.
2. After a bruising football game, the players look forward to in a hot tub.
3. Many female athletes prefer a female coach.
4. The young baseball players aren't used to their coach's at them every time they make a mistake.
5. The baseball game has been interrupted again due to rain. They will resume as soon as it stops .
6. Chris was benched during the basketball game for too many of his jump shots.
7. Michael has tennis elbow. The doctor recommends his his arm for three weeks.
8. Soccer players have to stretch and warm up before each game to avoid a hamstringThe tendon behind the knee .
9. a technical foul Given for an infraction of the rules governing conduct and sportsmanship
for one's temper is one way a coach can really hurt his team.
10. A professional skier's worst nightmare is on the ski slope and a leg.
Parts of Speech: Gerunds and Their Sentence Functions