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

  • 8th Grade
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| Questions: 20 | Updated: Jan 6, 2026
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1. What is a gerund?

Explanation

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

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About This Quiz
Define The Verb Form: What Is A Gerund Phrase Quiz? - Quiz

Starting your journey into verbals? This gerund phrase quiz is the essential first step. You'll master the definition of gerunds (verbs acting as nouns) and practice identifying them when they function with modifiers or objects. Develop the clarity needed to accurately spot these phrases in any sentence structure.

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2. What is a gerund phrase?

Explanation

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

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3. Which sentence contains a gerund phrase used as the subject?

Explanation

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

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4. A gerund phrase can act as the subject of a sentence.

Explanation

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

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5. In the sentence 'He enjoys playing video games after school,' what is the gerund phrase?

Explanation

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

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6. A gerund phrase starts with a gerund, which is a verb ending in ______ used as a noun.

Explanation

Gerunds always end in -ing and function like nouns.

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7. Which of the following are gerund phrases?

Explanation

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

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8. In the sentence 'Swimming in the lake calms me,' what role does the gerund phrase play?

Explanation

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

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9. In the sentence 'Running down the hall, she tripped,' 'Running down the hall' is a gerund phrase.

Explanation

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

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10. In 'She is excited about traveling to new places,' what is the gerund phrase?

Explanation

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

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11. In the sentence 'Watching movies with friends is fun,' 'Watching movies with friends' is a __________ phrase.

Explanation

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

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12. Gerund phrases can act as which of the following in a sentence?

Explanation

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

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13. Which sentence does NOT contain a gerund phrase?

Explanation

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

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14. A good way to test if an -ing phrase is a gerund phrase is to see if you can replace it with a regular noun like 'something.'

Explanation

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

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15. In 'Reading books before bed helps me relax,' which word is the gerund inside the gerund phrase?

Explanation

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

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16. Complete the sentence with a gerund phrase: __________ can improve your writing skills.

Explanation

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

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17. In the sentence 'Taking notes during class helps you remember information,' which words belong to the gerund phrase?

Explanation

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

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18. What is the function of the gerund phrase in 'My sister loves baking cookies on weekends.'?

Explanation

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

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19. In 'He is interested in learning new languages,' 'learning new languages' is a gerund phrase used as the object of the preposition in.

Explanation

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

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20. Which sentence uses a gerund phrase instead of an infinitive phrase?

Explanation

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

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What is a gerund?
What is a gerund phrase?
Which sentence contains a gerund phrase used as the subject?
A gerund phrase can act as the subject of a sentence.
In the sentence 'He enjoys playing video games after school,' what is...
A gerund phrase starts with a gerund, which is a verb ending in ______...
Which of the following are gerund phrases?
In the sentence 'Swimming in the lake calms me,' what role does the...
In the sentence 'Running down the hall, she tripped,' 'Running down...
In 'She is excited about traveling to new places,' what is the gerund...
In the sentence 'Watching movies with friends is fun,' 'Watching...
Gerund phrases can act as which of the following in a sentence?
Which sentence does NOT contain a gerund phrase?
A good way to test if an -ing phrase is a gerund phrase is to see if...
In 'Reading books before bed helps me relax,' which word is the gerund...
Complete the sentence with a gerund phrase: __________ can improve...
In the sentence 'Taking notes during class helps you remember...
What is the function of the gerund phrase in 'My sister loves baking...
In 'He is interested in learning new languages,' 'learning new...
Which sentence uses a gerund phrase instead of an infinitive phrase?
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