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chapter5.4g
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àS 5.4èGerund Phrases
ä:èIn the sentences in the Example, underline the gerund
phrases.
#âS:è ╕Smashing╗ ╕my╗ ╕fist╗ ╕into╗ ╕the╗ ╕tree╗ was more painful
êë than I imagined.
#êë She tried ╕bouncing╗ ╕on╗ ╕the╗ ╕trampoline╗.
#êë We outwitted the wild hog by ╕scurrying╗ ╕under╗ ╕some╗
#êë ╕narrow╗ ╕boards╗.
éS A gerund phrase includes the gerund plus any other words at-
tached to the gerund.ïOften a prepositional phrase will be a part of
#a gerund phrase.ïIn the example section above, ╖into the tree, on the
#╖trampoline, ╗and ╖under some narrow boards ╗are all prepositional
phrases completing the gerund phrase.ïA series of adjectives might
#precede the gerund, forming a gerund phrase, as in ╖The fierce, rowdy
#╖fighting continued all night.ïFierce, rowdy fighting ╗is a gerund
#phrase in which ╖fierce ╗and ╖rowdy ╗are two adjectives preceding the
#gerund ╖fighting╗.ïGerund phrases have the same grammatical functions
as do noun: They act as subjects, direct objects, predicate nouns, and
objects of the preposition.
1.èWhich one of the following sentences contains a gerund
phrase used as a subject?
A)ïThe generals demanded the thorough dismantling of the nuclear
è device.
B)ïSlithering through the vines tickled my toes.
C)ïThey were thrilled after hearing about the new store in town.
D)ïå
#üè╢Slithering through the vines╗ is a gerund phrase used as the
#subject of the verb form ╢tickled╗.ï╢Slithering╗ is the gerund; ╢
#╢through the vines╗ is the attached prepositional phrase.ïIn another
#sentence, ╖the thorough dismantling of the nuclear device╗ is a gerund
#phrase used as the direct object of the verb form ╖demanded.╗ïThe
#gerund phrase consists of the gerund ╖dismantling, ╗modified by the
#adjective ╖thorough╗ and followed by the prepositional phrase ╖of the
#╖nuclear device.ï╗In the remaining sentence, ╖hearing about the new
#╖store in town ╗is a gerund phrase used as the object of the preposition
#╖after.ï╗Within the gerund phrase is the gerund ╖hearing╗ and two at-
#tached prepositional phrases, ╖about the new store ╗ and ╖in town.
Ç B
2.èWhich one of the following sentences contains a gerund
phrase used as a predicate noun?
A)ïYour most important concern is escaping from a failed marriage.
B)ïA quick, decisive thrashing of the invaders took over two months
è to accomplish.
C)ïCan you damage your muscles by vigorously exercising at night?
D)ïå
#üè╢╢Escaping from a failed marriage╗ is a gerund phrase used as
#a predicate noun.ïIt follows the linking verb form ╢is╗ and identifies
#╢the noun ╢concern, ╗the subject.ï╢Escaping╗ is the gerund; ╢from
#╢a failed marriage ╗is a prepositional phrase that completes a gerund
#phrase.ïIn another sentence, ╖a quick, decisive thrashing of the
#╖invaders╗ is a gerund phrase used as the subject of the verb form
#took.ïThe gerund is ╖thrashing,╗ which is preceded by the two╖
#╖╗adjectives ╖quick ╗and ╢╖decisive ╗and followed by the prepositional
#╖╗phrase ╖of the invaders.╗ïThe remaining sentence has the gerund
#╖╗phraseï╖by vigorously exercising at night ╗that is used as the
#object of the preposition ╖by.ïExercising╗ is the gerund preceded
#by the adverb ╖vigorously ╖╗and followed by the prepositional
#phrase ╖at night.╗ïNote that here is a prepositional phrase that
is part of a gerund phrase that itself is the object of a preposition.
Ç A
3.èWhich one of the following sentences contains a gerund
phrase used as the direct object of the sentence?
A)ïSkirmishing with rebels in the desert is a tough assignment.
B)ïI get a strange pleasure in watching fires at sea.
C)ïSheila has always contemplated rummaging in her grandmother's attic.
D)ïå
#üè╢Rummaging in her grandmother's attic╗ is a gerund phrase
#acting as the direct object of the verb form ╢contemplated.ïRummaging
#is the gerund, and ╢in her grandmother's attic╗ is the prepositional
#phrase completing the gerund phrase.ïIn another sentence, ╖watching
#╖fires at sea╝╗ is a gerund phrase used as the object of the preposition
#╖in.ïWatching ╗is the gerund, and the noun ╖fires ╗and the prep-
#ositional phrase ╖at sea╗ complete the gerund phrase.ïIn the remaining
#sentence, ╖skirmishing with rebels in the desert ╗is a gerund phrase
#used as the subject of the verb form ╖is.╗ The gerund phrase consists of
#the gerund ╖skirmishing ╗plus the two attached prepositional phrases,
#╖with rebels ╗and ╖in the desert.
Ç C
4.èWhich one of the following sentences contains a gerund
phrase used as the object of a preposition?
A)ïPlaying in my back yard was not easy because of the fire ants.
B)ïDid not I propose searching underneath the basement walls for the
è jewels?
C)ïThe young boy was detained for jumping over the security gate.
D)ïå
#üè╢Jumping over the security gate ╗is a gerund phrase functioning
#as the object of the preposition ╢╢for.╗ïThe gerund phrase consists
#of the gerund ╢jumping╗ plus the prepositional phrase ╢over the security
#╢gate╗.ïIn the other sentences, ╖playing in my back yard╗ is a gerund
#phrase acting as the subject of the verb form ╖was; playing╗ is the
#gerund, and ╖in my back yard ╗is the prepositional phrase completing the
#gerund phrase.ï╖Searching underneath the basement walls for the jewels
#is a gerund phrase acting as the direct object of the verb ╖propose.
#╖Searching ╗is the gerund followed by the two prepositional phrases
#╖under the basement walls ╗and ╖for the jewels.
Ç C