Finding the Role: Gerund Phrase Function Quiz

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Anneda N. is an experienced instructional designer and educator with over 22 years in K–12 education. She specializes in standards-aligned quizzes, curriculum development, literacy programs, and academic writing. Holds a Bachelor’s in Middle Grades Education and a Rank 1 Reading & Writing Specialist credential.
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| Attempts: 24 | Questions: 20 | Updated: Jan 6, 2026
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1. In "My brother enjoys playing video games," the gerund phrase "playing video games" is the ________ object.

Explanation

The phrase tells what he enjoys, so it is the direct object.

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About This Quiz
Finding The Role: Gerund Phrase Function Quiz - Quiz

Ever confused about the job a gerund phrase is doing in a sentence? This gerund phrase function quiz will clarify everything. You'll practice identifying gerund phrases when they act as subjects, direct objects, objects of prepositions, and predicate nominatives, ensuring you understand their grammatical role.

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2. In "Practicing the piano every day is her goal," what is the function of "Practicing the piano every day"?

Explanation

The phrase is what is her goal, so it functions as the subject of the sentence.


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3. Which sentences do not use the gerund phrase as a subject?

Explanation

In B, C, and D the phrase is a direct object, predicate noun, or object of a preposition, not the subject.

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4. Which sentence uses a gerund phrase as the object of a preposition?

Explanation

In C the phrase follows the preposition about, so it is the object of the preposition.

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5. What is the main job of a gerund phrase in a sentence?

Explanation

Gerund phrases are verb forms ending in -ing that work as nouns in the sentence.

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6. A gerund phrase can appear after a linking verb and rename the subject as a predicate noun.

Explanation

Gerund phrases can function as predicate nouns when they rename or identify the subject.

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7. A gerund phrase can be the subject of a sentence.

Explanation

Because gerund phrases act like nouns, they can serve as the subject.

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8. In "They talked about going to the new museum," what is the function of 'going to the new museum'?

Explanation

The phrase follows the preposition about, so it is the object of the preposition.

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9. In "She enjoys playing soccer after school," what is the function of 'playing soccer after school'?

Explanation

The phrase tells what she enjoys, so it is the direct object of enjoys.

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10. In the sentence "Reading mystery novels keeps me entertained," what is the function of the gerund phrase "Reading mystery novels"?

Explanation

The phrase is what keeps me entertained, so it acts as the subject.

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11. In the sentence "Reading books helps me relax," the gerund phrase "Reading books" functions as the ________ of the sentence.

Explanation

The gerund phrase is what helps me relax, so it is the subject.

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12. If a gerund phrase answers the question "what?" after an action verb, it is probably a direct object.

Explanation

Direct objects answer 'what?' or 'whom?' after an action verb, and gerund phrases can fill this role.

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13. Match each sentence to the function of its gerund phrase. Which sentences use the gerund phrase as a subject?

Explanation

In A and E, the gerund phrase is what performs the action of the verb, so it functions as the subject.


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14. In "He apologized for arriving late," the gerund phrase "arriving late" functions as the object of the preposition for.

Explanation

The phrase answers "for what?" so it is the object of the preposition for.

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15. Which sentences use the gerund phrase as a predicate noun?

Explanation

In A, C, and E, the gerund phrases follow a linking verb and rename the subject, so they function as predicate nouns.

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16. In "After finishing her homework, studying for tests becomes easier," what is the function of 'studying for tests'?

Explanation

The phrase 'studying for tests' is what becomes easier, so it is the subject.

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17. Which question can help you find the function of a gerund phrase in a sentence?

Explanation

Replacing the gerund phrase with a regular noun shows whether it is a subject, object, or another noun role.

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18. In "His favorite hobby is painting landscapes," what is the function of 'painting landscapes'?

Explanation

The phrase renames hobby after the linking verb is, so it acts as a predicate noun.

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19. Which sentences use the gerund phrase as a direct object?

Explanation

In A and C, the gerund phrases tell what she suggested and what they finished, so they function as direct objects.

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20. In "They talked about joining the club," the gerund phrase "joining the club" functions as the object of a ________.

Explanation

The phrase follows the preposition about, so it is the object of a preposition.

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Anneda Nettleton |Bachelor’s in Middle Grade Education |
K-12 Expert
Anneda N. is an experienced instructional designer and educator with over 22 years in K–12 education. She specializes in standards-aligned quizzes, curriculum development, literacy programs, and academic writing. Holds a Bachelor’s in Middle Grades Education and a Rank 1 Reading & Writing Specialist credential.
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In "My brother enjoys playing video games," the gerund phrase "playing...
In "Practicing the piano every day is her goal," what is the function...
Which sentences do not use the gerund phrase as a subject?
Which sentence uses a gerund phrase as the object of a preposition?
What is the main job of a gerund phrase in a sentence?
A gerund phrase can appear after a linking verb and rename the subject...
A gerund phrase can be the subject of a sentence.
In "They talked about going to the new museum," what is the function...
In "She enjoys playing soccer after school," what is the function of...
In the sentence "Reading mystery novels keeps me entertained," what is...
In the sentence "Reading books helps me relax," the gerund phrase...
If a gerund phrase answers the question "what?" after an action verb,...
Match each sentence to the function of its gerund phrase. Which...
In "He apologized for arriving late," the gerund phrase "arriving...
Which sentences use the gerund phrase as a predicate noun?
In "After finishing her homework, studying for tests becomes easier,"...
Which question can help you find the function of a gerund phrase in a...
In "His favorite hobby is painting landscapes," what is the function...
Which sentences use the gerund phrase as a direct object?
In "They talked about joining the club," the gerund phrase "joining...
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