Example of Gerund Phrases in English (Gerund Phrases)

The gerund phrase in English is a grammatical structure composed of a gerund verb, with the ending –ing, to which objects and complements are added. It acts in the sentence as a noun, either in the subject or in the predicate, as well as a direct object or an indirect object.

The ending –ing is also used as a conjugation of the present participle, so a gerund phrase can sometimes be confused with a participle phrase. To distinguish between one and the other, the difference consists in that the gerund phrase acts as a noun, and therefore, answers the question, what are we talking about? For its part, the participle phrase acts as an adjective and is placed immediately before or immediately after of a noun, modifying it, limiting it or describing it, so it answers the question which, how much, how it is? We can see this with the phrase swimming fast in the match:

• Swimming fast in the match is ever my goal (Here the phrase is the subject of the sentence, who is being talked about, so it is a gerund phrase).
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• Yesterday, Elizabeth, swimming faster in the match, won the first prize (Here the phrase modifies the noun Elizabeth, acting as an adjective, functioning as a participle phrase).

Examples of gerund phrases in English:

1. I hate swimming in Winter.
2. Working in this company becomes a great experience.
3. Carmen, come and let's go shopping in the mall.
4. Driving my car and running my motorcycle, are the best pleasures in the world.
5. Spencer cannot stay writting more than three hours.
6. I shall be in home watching TV all day long.
7. Stretching and warming are so important activities before practice any sport.
8. Stella spent all the noon dressing her new doll.
9. Mickey stay at home studying for his test.
10. Working from sun to sun, pass the live in the country.
11. Missing own past is the worst of Alzheimer's disease.
12. Sitting behind a desk is not my idea of ​​a perfect job.

Follow with:

• Infinitive phrases