A Simple Guide to the Meaning and Use of Gerund Phrases with Exercises
Welcome to the article on gerund phrases! This guide will help you learn what they are, how they function in sentences, and how to use them effectively.
INTRODUCTION
What is an Gerund?
A gerund is the -ing form of a verb that functions as a noun.
Examples:
- Swimming is fun.
- Reading helps improve your vocabulary.
Here, swimming and reading act as subjects, making them gerunds.
What is a Phrase?
A phrase is a group of words that work together but do not form a complete sentence.
What is an Gerund Phrase?
A gerund phrase is a phrase that begins with a gerund and includes its object and any modifiers. The entire phrase functions as a noun in the sentence.
- Eating ice cream on a hot day is refreshing.
- Driving to work in heavy traffic can be stressful.
In these examples, the gerund phrases act as the subjects of the sentences.
Components of a Gerund Phrase
- Gerund: The -ing form of a verb acting as a noun (e.g., swimming, running).
- Object: A noun or pronoun that follows the gerund (e.g., ice cream, work).
- Modifiers: Words that describe or add detail to the gerund or its object (e.g., quickly, in heavy traffic).
Example: Writing detailed essays quickly improves your writing skills.
- Gerund: writing
- Object: essays
- Modifiers: detailed, quickly
Functions of a Gerund Phrase
Gerund phrases can function as:
- Subjects:
Example:- Walking in the park is relaxing.
- Objects of Verbs:
Example:- I enjoy playing video games.
- Objects of Prepositions:
Example:- He is interested in learning new skills.
- Subject Complements:
Example:- Her favorite hobby is baking cakes.
- Subjects:
EXAMPLE GERUND PHRASES
Simple Gerund Phrases
These consist of a gerund and its object.
- Reading books
- Writing reports
- Playing sports
Gerund Phrases with Modifiers
These include adjectives or adverbs that describe the gerund or its object.
- Reading interesting books at night
- Writing detailed reports carefully
- Playing outdoor sports in the summer
10 Examples of Simple Gerund Phrases
- reading a book
- writing an essay
- playing soccer
- listening to music
- cooking dinner
- walking the dog
- practicing yoga
- learning English
- painting pictures
- running in the park
5 Examples of Gerund Phrases with Modifiers
- reading long novels on cold evenings
- writing well-researched articles for magazines
- playing the guitar in a band
- cooking delicious meals for friends
- practicing yoga every morning
5 Examples of Gerund Phrases with Compound Objects
- reading books and magazines
- writing essays and reports
- playing basketball and football
- cooking pasta and baking cakes
- visiting museums and art galleries
The Use of Gerund Phrases in Sentences
Gerund phrases are useful for adding variety to your writing by allowing you to use phrases as nouns.
- Learning a new language requires practice. (subject)
- She avoided talking to strangers. (object of verb)
- He is excited about joining the club. (object of preposition)
Gerund Phrases in Everyday English
We use adjective phrases in daily conversations to describe things or people.
Example:
- “She is kind and generous.”
Common Verbs Followed by Gerund Phrases
Some verbs are typically followed by gerunds or gerund phrases:
- enjoy: I enjoy reading novels.
- avoid: He avoids eating junk food.
- consider: She considered moving to a new city.
- suggest: They suggested trying the new restaurant.
- admit: He admitted breaking the vase.
Exercises on Gerund Phrases
Exercise 1. Complete the sentences using gerund phrases from the following list.
- eating unhealthy food
- fishing in the river
- going for a walk
- learning new languages
- playing board games together
- reading books before bed
- swimming in the pool
- __________ is good exercise.
- I enjoy __________.
- __________ is difficult for some people.
- She avoids __________.
- __________ is a great way to relax.
- __________ is not allowed in this area.
- They suggested __________.
Exercise 2. Complete the sentences using gerund phrases from the following list.
- (a) cooking with friends
- (b) watching movies at night
- (c) riding a bicycle
- (d) playing in the park
- __________ is fun for kids.
- I love __________.
- __________ helps you stay fit.
- They talked about __________.
Exercise 3. Complete the sentences using gerund phrases from the following list.
- listening to music in the evening
- practising English every day
- taking care of pets
- travelling to new places
- __________ can be very enjoyable.
- I think __________ is important for learning.
- __________ is one of my hobbies.
- She loves __________ and finds it relaxing.
Exercise 4. Complete the sentences using gerund phrases from the following list.
__________ is a popular activity on weekends.
a. Reading books in the library
b. To read books in the library
c. Read books in the library
I prefer __________ over watching TV.
a. Play board games with my family
b. Playing board games with my family
c. To playing board games with my family
__________ is not allowed here.
a. Fishing in the lake
b. Fished in the lake
c. To fish in the lake
FAQ
Q: What is the difference between a gerund and a present participle?
A: Both gerunds and present participles use the -ing form of a verb. The difference is in their function:
- A gerund functions as a noun (Swimming is fun).
- A present participle functions as an adjective or part of a verb phrase (She is swimming).
Q: Can a gerund phrase have multiple objects?
A: Yes, gerund phrases can have compound objects.
Example:
- He enjoys reading books and writing poems.
Q: What’s the difference between a gerund phrase and an infinitive phrase?
A: A gerund phrase uses the -ing form of the verb (Swimming in the ocean is fun), while an infinitive phrase uses the to form of the verb (To swim in the ocean is fun).