GERUND PHRASES

1. Agus Riswanto 0911202352

2. Lilik Prasetya 0911202347
3. Gino Prasetyo
4. Isnaini Nurul
5. Dwi Nuraini
6. Sulinda
7. Tiwik Ristanti
 Definition:
A gerund phrase is made up of a gerund and
all the words that can modify it.  The words or
phrases that can modify a gerund are an
adjective, adverb, and a prepositional phrase,
plus it can have a direct object.
Why can it have these modifiers?
 Remember that a gerund is a verb form ending
in -ing.  Because it is a VERB, it can have an
adverb modifying it.  Also, it can have an
adverb prepositional phrase modifying it. 
Besides all that, it can have a direct object, just
like any action verb can have.
 Why an adjective or adjective prepositional
phrase modifying it?  Remember that a gerund
is a verb form used as a NOUN, therefore it can
have an adjective or adjective prepositional
phrase modifying it.
Examples

 Wearing tight shoes hurts. (gerund + D.O.)

 Long-distance running is fun. (adjective +
gerund)
 I like dancing on ice. (gerund + prepositional
phrase)
 Performing alone is his dream. (gerund +
adverb)
Gerund phrases, like gerunds alone, function as nouns
in a sentence. Like a noun, a gerund phrase can be a
subject, a D.O., an object of the preposition, or a
predicate noun.

Subject Preparing for a concert takes time.

Direct Object Suryani began practicing his flute.

Object of Before playing the music, he studied

Preposition it.
Predicate His big challenge was walking on
Noun stage.
Be careful not to confuse a gerund phrase with a
participial phrase. If the phrase functions as a
subject, an object, or a predicate noun in the
sentence it is a gerund phrase. If it serves as an
adjective, it is a participial phrase.

Gerund Singing softly was difficult. (subject)

Phrase:
Participial Singing softly, he calmed the baby.
Phrase:
Gerund We began singing the song. (direct object)
Phrase
Participial The girl singing the song is Widuri.
Phrase:
Identify each gerund phrase. Does each gerund
phrase act as a subject, a direct object, an
object of a preposition, or a predicate noun?

1. Bart received the prize for being the best tenor.

2. You should try singing high C.

3. Appearing with a professional cast was Sinta’s

dream.

4. Facing the audience can be the hardest part.

5. Practicing day and night is a necessary ingredient for

succeeding as an opera singer.
6. The programs goal is providing students with a
variety of artistic opportunities.

7. The problem is obtaining the necessary money.

8. People find different ways of raising funds.

9. Asking for funds is an important activity.

10. Supporters must continue advertising the

program.
Possessives in Gerund
Phrases
 Always use the possessive form of a noun or
pronoun before a gerund.
Which is correct?

1. I warned Gino about (them, their) being late.

2. (Fran, Fran’s) leaving will solve the problem.

3. (Me, My) being there was a help.

4. (Him, His) continuing with the show is essential to

its success.

5. (Us, Our) agreeing on how the other minor roles

should be handled was also important.