Copyright 2008 LessonSnips www.lessonsnips.com
Gerunds Anyone?
Using a Verbal
Reading and Discussion
When is a verb not a verb? When it tries to imitate another part of speech.
Sometimes verbs do not act like verbs. Instead they act like nouns, adjectives and adverbs. When they do this we call them verbals. There are three main kinds of verbals:
1. gerunds
2. infinitives
3. participles
Let’s concentrate on gerunds. Gerunds are verb forms that always end in ing and act like nouns. They can be the subject of a sentence. For example:
Sailing is John’s favorite activity.
Sailing is used as the subject. The verb is the word is.
A gerund can also be used as a direct object and we can even have more than one gerund in a sentence:
John likes fencing and jogging.
The words fencing and jogging are used as direct objects in this sentence. What does John like? He likes fencing and jogging.
A gerund phrase includes the gerund and all the words needed to complete its meaning. For example:
Sailing a boat is a lot of fun.
Sailing is the gerund and subject of the sentence. What are we sailing? A boat.
Sailing a boat is a gerund phrase that gives us enough information to complete the meaning of our subject.
Like other verbals, gerunds are not used as the main verb in a sentence. Even though they are action words, they are used as nouns. Like present participles, gerunds always end in ing. To avoid confusing these two verbals remember:
Gerunds are used as nouns.
Present participles are used as adjectives.
Copyright 2008 LessonSnips www.lessonsnips.com
Activities
Activity A: Let’s review.
1. A _________________________ is a verb form that always end in ing and acts like a noun.
2. In this lesson you learned about two ways that gerunds can be used in a sentence. Name them: 1. _________________ 2. _________________
3. Can you have more than one gerund in a sentence? ________________
4. A ________________________________________ is a gerund and all the words needed to complete its meaning.
Activity B: Find the gerunds in the following sentences and underline them. Remember there can be more than one gerund in a sentence. Look for verbs that act like nouns.
1. Skating makes Janet happy.
2. Amber loves swimming, hiking and canoeing at camp.
3. Riding a bike is my favorite exercise.
4. Eating cookies in the car made a mess.
5. Susan enjoys reading and sewing.
6. My teacher planned a gym day of running and jumping.
Activity C: Write a sentence using the gerund walking as the subject of the sentence.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Copyright 2008 LessonSnips www.lessonsnips.com
Answer Key
Activity A
1. A gerund is a verb form that always ends in ing and acts like a noun.
2. In this lesson you learned about two ways gerunds can be used in a sentence. Name them: 1. Subject 2. Direct Object
3. Can you have more than one gerund in a sentence? Yes
4. A gerund phrase is a gerund and all the words needed to complete its meaning.
Activity B
1. Skating makes Janet happy.
2. Amber loves swimming, hiking and canoeing at camp.
3. Riding a bike is my favorite exercise.
4. Eating cookies in the car made a mess.
5. Susan enjoys reading and sewing.
6. My teacher planned a gym day of running and jumping.
Activity C
Answers will vary.
Gerunds Anyone?
Using a Verbal
Reading and Discussion
When is a verb not a verb? When it tries to imitate another part of speech.
Sometimes verbs do not act like verbs. Instead they act like nouns, adjectives and adverbs. When they do this we call them verbals. There are three main kinds of verbals:
1. gerunds
2. infinitives
3. participles
Let’s concentrate on gerunds. Gerunds are verb forms that always end in ing and act like nouns. They can be the subject of a sentence. For example:
Sailing is John’s favorite activity.
Sailing is used as the subject. The verb is the word is.
A gerund can also be used as a direct object and we can even have more than one gerund in a sentence:
John likes fencing and jogging.
The words fencing and jogging are used as direct objects in this sentence. What does John like? He likes fencing and jogging.
A gerund phrase includes the gerund and all the words needed to complete its meaning. For example:
Sailing a boat is a lot of fun.
Sailing is the gerund and subject of the sentence. What are we sailing? A boat.
Sailing a boat is a gerund phrase that gives us enough information to complete the meaning of our subject.
Like other verbals, gerunds are not used as the main verb in a sentence. Even though they are action words, they are used as nouns. Like present participles, gerunds always end in ing. To avoid confusing these two verbals remember:
Gerunds are used as nouns.
Present participles are used as adjectives.
Copyright 2008 LessonSnips www.lessonsnips.com
Activities
Activity A: Let’s review.
1. A _________________________ is a verb form that always end in ing and acts like a noun.
2. In this lesson you learned about two ways that gerunds can be used in a sentence. Name them: 1. _________________ 2. _________________
3. Can you have more than one gerund in a sentence? ________________
4. A ________________________________________ is a gerund and all the words needed to complete its meaning.
Activity B: Find the gerunds in the following sentences and underline them. Remember there can be more than one gerund in a sentence. Look for verbs that act like nouns.
1. Skating makes Janet happy.
2. Amber loves swimming, hiking and canoeing at camp.
3. Riding a bike is my favorite exercise.
4. Eating cookies in the car made a mess.
5. Susan enjoys reading and sewing.
6. My teacher planned a gym day of running and jumping.
Activity C: Write a sentence using the gerund walking as the subject of the sentence.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Copyright 2008 LessonSnips www.lessonsnips.com
Answer Key
Activity A
1. A gerund is a verb form that always ends in ing and acts like a noun.
2. In this lesson you learned about two ways gerunds can be used in a sentence. Name them: 1. Subject 2. Direct Object
3. Can you have more than one gerund in a sentence? Yes
4. A gerund phrase is a gerund and all the words needed to complete its meaning.
Activity B
1. Skating makes Janet happy.
2. Amber loves swimming, hiking and canoeing at camp.
3. Riding a bike is my favorite exercise.
4. Eating cookies in the car made a mess.
5. Susan enjoys reading and sewing.
6. My teacher planned a gym day of running and jumping.
Activity C
Answers will vary.
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