The Joy of GerundsThe Joy of Gerunds

GerundsGerunds

• Gerunds are VERBS ending in “ing” Gerunds are VERBS ending in “ing” that act like NOUNSthat act like NOUNS

• We began with running.We began with running.

• Running is the object of the Running is the object of the prepositionpreposition

• Running is fun.Running is fun.

• Running is the subject.Running is the subject.

• Get it?Get it?

Gerunds can also be…Gerunds can also be…

• Direct objects!! Direct objects!!

• I love running!I love running!

• Indirect objectsIndirect objects

• He gave running a try.He gave running a try.

• OR…OR…

The Dreaded Predicate The Dreaded Predicate Nominative!Nominative!

• My favorite activity is running.My favorite activity is running.

• Whew…so to recapWhew…so to recap

• Gerunds are verbs ending in ING that Gerunds are verbs ending in ING that act like NOUNS and can be one of the act like NOUNS and can be one of the following jobs:following jobs:

Can you name them?Can you name them?

• SubjectsSubjects

• Direct objectsDirect objects

• Indirect objectsIndirect objects

• Objects of prepositionsObjects of prepositions

• Predicate NominativesPredicate Nominatives

So…name that gerund (and its So…name that gerund (and its function).function).

• I tried swimming, but I almost I tried swimming, but I almost drowned.drowned.

• Learning is great!Learning is great!

• We were tired after hiking.We were tired after hiking.

• The best hobby is cooking.The best hobby is cooking.

• I gave running some effort, but I quit.I gave running some effort, but I quit.

Gerund phrasesGerund phrases

• These are made up of the gerund These are made up of the gerund plus any modifiers or complements plus any modifiers or complements that go w/itthat go w/it

• Gerund phrases can function exactly Gerund phrases can function exactly like gerundslike gerunds

• Yes, they can be S/IO/DO/OP/PNYes, they can be S/IO/DO/OP/PN

For example,For example,

• Laughing with my friends is the best Laughing with my friends is the best way to spend the day.way to spend the day.

• I truly enjoy shopping at Ann Taylor.I truly enjoy shopping at Ann Taylor.

• You won’t get away with bringing You won’t get away with bringing your dog to school.your dog to school.

• The way to win is beating the other The way to win is beating the other team.team.

QUIZ TIME!QUIZ TIME!

• Working hard is often its own reward.Working hard is often its own reward.• My mother always enjoys driving down My mother always enjoys driving down

exciting roads.exciting roads.• I know people who are obsessed with I know people who are obsessed with

eating all the time.eating all the time.• Stumbling in the dark is not my idea of Stumbling in the dark is not my idea of

an interesting activity.an interesting activity.• It seems that his favorite thing is It seems that his favorite thing is

sleeping.sleeping.