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Elections

Focus on Grammar 3Part VII, Unit 27By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ WellsCopyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Gerunds: Subject and Object

Let’s discuss improving our schools.

I will keep fighting for a new hospital.

Running for Office 1

Voting is an important responsibility.

Running for Office 2

Choosing a candidate takes time.

I enjoy working for the people. Do you resent

paying higher taxes?

Form

work

improve

-ing

-ing

=

=

working

improving

verbverb nounnoun-ing-ing

pay -ing = paying

+

+

+

=+

A gerund is the base form of a verb + -ing.Gerunds can be used as nouns.

is an important responsibility.

a candidate takes time.

Voting

Choosing

singular subject

Gerunds as Subjects

A gerund can be the subject of a sentence. It is always singular. Use a third-person singular verb after a gerund.

Don’t confuse gerunds with thepresent progressive verb form.

Be Careful!

Voting is an important responsibility.

I am voting today.

present progressive

gerund

subject

verb

Windsurfing

Complete the sentences with gerunds.

Example: __________ is very exciting.

Practice 1

__________ makes me laugh.

Windsurfing

Complete the sentences with gerunds.

Example: __________ is very exciting.

Practice 1

__________ gives me a headache.

Windsurfing

Complete the sentences with gerunds.

Example: __________ is very exciting.

Practice 1

__________ isn’t polite.

Windsurfing

Complete the sentences with gerunds.

Example: __________ is very exciting.

Practice 1

__________ is popular in my country.

Windsurfing

Complete the sentences with gerunds.

Example: __________ is very exciting.

Practice 1

__________ destroys the environment.

Windsurfing

Complete the sentences with gerunds.

Example: __________ is very exciting.

Practice 1

Not __________ can be dangerous.

Write down the gerund!Practice 1

Even though I’m afraid of the dark, spelunking can be exciting.

Write down the gerund!Practice 1

Racing is such a rush; it is soothing to me.

Write down the gerund!Practice 1

Puking is absolutely disgusting, and it is revolting to experience.

Write down the gerund!Practice 1

My favorite activities are biking, reading, and writing.

Write down the gerund!Practice 1

My favorite activities are biking, reading, and writing.

Write down the gerund!Practice 1

When we go snooping through my sister’s diary, we find out all sorts of juicy gossip, dripping with scandal.

Write down the gerund!Practice 1

Going hunting makes me cringe; killing critters is too difficult for me.

Write down the gerund!Practice 1

Sky-diving seems terrifying, and it is nauseating to think about.

Write down the gerund!Practice 1

If you thought potato mashing was difficult, potato peeling will drive you insane.

Write down the gerund!Practice 1

After we go snorkeling, I always want to live on the beach.

Gerunds as Objects

I suggest improving our schools.

I enjoy working for the people.

suggest

enjoy

verb object

verb object

A gerund can be the object of certain verbs.

watching birds

Complete the dialogues with gerund phrases.Practice 2

1. A: I need a ride to the airport.

B: I don’t mind ____________.

2. A: Dad, can I go outside and play?

B: Have you finished ____________.

3. A: Why did Javier look so sad today?

B: I think he really misses _____________.

Example:

A: Why do Christophe and Hiro go hiking so often?

B: They both enjoy ____________.

Gerunds with Go

Ali went jogging with his dog.

Our family goes bowling every Saturday.

We often use go + gerund to describe activities.

1. 2.

Ask a partner how often he or she does these activities.Practice 3

How often do you go dancing?

How often do you go dancing? I go dancing

every night.

I go dancing every night.

Ask a partner how often he or she does these activities.Practice 4

3.

4.

5.

References

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and its licensors. All rights reserved.