Define the Verb Form: What Is a Gerund Phrase Quiz?

A gerund is a verb ending in -ing that functions as a noun in the sentence.

A gerund phrase begins with a gerund and includes any words that complete or describe it, acting together as a noun.

In sentence B, “Swimming in the ocean” is a gerund phrase acting as the subject of the verb is.

Gerund phrases are noun-like, so they can serve as the subject.

“Playing video games after school” is the full gerund phrase acting as the direct object of enjoys.

Gerunds always end in -ing and function like nouns.

A and D begin with gerunds and include modifiers, and the whole phrase can act as a noun.

“Swimming in the lake” is what calms me, so it is the subject.

Here "Running down the hall" describes she, so it is a participial phrase, not a noun-like gerund phrase.

"About traveling to new places" is the full prepositional phrase, and the gerund phrase inside it acts as the object of about.

The phrase starts with the gerund watching and functions as a noun.

Gerund phrases function like nouns and can be subjects, objects, or predicate nouns, but not the main finite verb showing tense.

In sentence C, 'was jogging' is a verb phrase showing tense, not a noun-like gerund phrase.

If the -ing phrase works where a noun could go, it is functioning as a gerund phrase.

Reading is the -ing verb form acting as a noun and starting the phrase.

The phrase 'Practicing writing every day' begins with a gerund and acts as the subject.

The gerund phrase is “Taking notes during class,” which functions together as the subject.

"Baking cookies on weekends" tells what my sister loves, so it is the direct object.

The phrase answers 'interested in what?' so it is the object of the preposition in.

Sentence C begins with the gerund Reading and the phrase acts as the subject.