Gerund Phrase
Gerund Phrase
A gerund phrase includes a gerund, modifier and complement. Together they function as a noun, which can be a subject, direct object, indirect object, object of a preposition, or subject complement in a sentence. English Grammar Material
A gerund phrase can act as:
- Subject: Riding a camel looks easy to me.
(Riding a camel is a gerund phrase acting as a subject in the sentence.)
- Direct object: He enjoys milking the farmer’s cows.
(Milking the farmer’s cows is a gerund phrase acting as a direct object in the sentence.)
- Indirect object: She likes baking cakes for her children.
(Baking cakes is a gerund phrase acting as an indirect object in the sentence.)
- Object of preposition: He’s thinking of running a seafood restaurant.
(Running a seafood restaurant is a gerund phrase acting as on object of the preposition of in the sentence.)
- Subject complement: Mike’s only pastime is cycling along the coastal road.
(Cycling along the coastal road is a gerund phrase acting as a subject complement in the sentence.)
Examples of Gerund Phrases
Running for president is a serious ambition.
This gerund phrase is the subject of the sentence; it is what the sentence is about.
Eating small meals throughout the day can help you avoid hunger pains.
This gerund phrase is also the subject of the sentence.
A serious danger to motorists is driving under the influence.
The gerund phrase here is a complement to the subject (danger); it re-states what the subject is, and adds information. (See part IV for more information on complements.)
I like fishing with lures.
Here we have a gerund phrase working as a direct object. It is the thing receiving the action of the verb ‘like’. (See section 4 for more information on objects.)
4. Appositive Phrase // 3. Adverbial Phrase