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Quizzes > High School Quizzes > English Language Arts

Gerund Sentence Practice Quiz

Sharpen grammar skills for exam success

Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 8
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art promoting a trivia quiz on identifying gerunds for high school students.

Which sentence contains a gerund?
Swimming is my favorite hobby.
She goes to the market.
They swim every day.
He is swimming in the pool.
In this sentence, 'Swimming' is used as a noun serving as the subject, which makes it a gerund. The other sentences either use the -ing form as part of a verb phrase or do not include an -ing form at all.
Which sentence uses a gerund correctly?
I have read the book.
Reading helps you gain knowledge.
She reads every day.
He is reading a book.
The sentence 'Reading helps you gain knowledge' employs 'reading' as a noun - specifically as the subject of the sentence - making it a gerund. The other options either use the -ing form as part of a verb phrase or do not use an -ing form in a nominal way.
Identify the gerund in the sentence: 'Jogging in the morning is refreshing.'
refreshing
morning
Jogging
in
The word 'Jogging' is derived from a verb with an -ing ending and functions as the subject of the sentence, which qualifies it as a gerund. The other words in the sentence serve different grammatical roles.
Which sentence contains a gerund functioning as an object?
They painted the room.
I enjoy painting.
Painting is fun.
She is painting a picture.
In 'I enjoy painting,' the word 'painting' is used as the direct object of the verb 'enjoy,' functioning as a gerund. The other sentences either use the -ing form as a subject or as part of a verb phrase.
Identify the sentence that uses a gerund phrase.
They sing beautifully.
His singing in the competition impressed everyone.
The singing bird flew away.
He was singing at the concert.
Option A contains the complete gerund phrase 'singing in the competition,' which functions as a noun. The other options either use an -ing form as part of a verb tense or as an adjective.
Which sentence contains a gerund functioning as a subject?
They are running a marathon.
She runs every day.
The running dog chased the cat.
Running is her passion.
In 'Running is her passion,' 'Running' functions as a noun and serves as the subject of the sentence, thereby being a gerund. The other examples either use the -ing form as an adjective or as part of a verb phrase.
Which word in the sentence 'Cooking can be very therapeutic' is a gerund?
Cooking
be
therapeutic
can
The word 'Cooking' is formed from a verb with an -ing ending and acts as the subject noun of the sentence, making it a gerund. The other words serve entirely different grammatical roles.
In the sentence 'I like dancing during festivals,' what is the role of 'dancing'?
Direct object
Adjective
Subject
Adverb
In this sentence, 'dancing' follows the verb 'like' and functions as a direct object, a common role for a gerund. The other roles do not correctly describe the grammatical function of 'dancing' in this context.
Choose the sentence where the gerund phrase acts as a complement.
He is reading a novel.
She reads novels every day.
His passion is reading novels.
Reading novels improves vocabulary.
In option A, the gerund phrase 'reading novels' functions as a subject complement, renaming 'passion.' The other sentences use the gerund in roles other than a complement.
Identify the gerund in the sentence 'Playing guitar relaxes him.'
relaxes
Playing
guitar
him
The word 'Playing' is used as the subject of the sentence, fulfilling a noun's role, thus identifying it as a gerund. The other words either function as an object or as part of the predicate.
Which sentence exhibits a gerund used as a noun rather than as an adjective?
He is running fast.
Running water can erode the rocks.
The running man waved.
Running is fun.
In 'Running is fun,' the -ing word is used as the subject of the sentence, acting as a noun (gerund). In the other examples, the -ing forms either modify a noun or form a part of a verb phrase.
In the sentence 'Baking cookies for the school event was enjoyable,' identify the gerund phrase.
for the school event
cookies for the school event
was enjoyable
Baking cookies for the school event
The entire phrase 'Baking cookies for the school event' is derived from the verb 'bake' and functions as a noun phrase, making it a gerund phrase. The other options do not represent a complete gerund phrase.
Determine the function of 'swimming' in the sentence 'She enjoys swimming.'
Subject
Predicate adjective
Adverb
Direct object
In this sentence, 'swimming' is used as the direct object of the verb 'enjoys,' serving the role of a noun (gerund). This clearly distinguishes it from uses where the -ing form might serve as an adjective or adverb.
Choose the sentence where the -ing form is not a gerund.
Dancing requires rhythm.
Cooking can be a stress reliever.
Jogging every morning keeps him fit.
The jogging track is under renovation.
In Option B, 'jogging' functions as an adjective modifying the noun 'track,' making it a present participle rather than a gerund. The other sentences use the -ing form as a verbal noun (gerund).
Which sentence contains a gerund used as the object of a preposition?
He is interested in painting.
She is painting a mural.
Painting requires talent.
The painting hung on the wall.
In 'He is interested in painting,' the gerund 'painting' follows the preposition 'in,' serving as the object of the preposition. The other examples do not show this usage.
In the sentence 'Seeing is believing,' what is the function of the -ing forms?
Both are present participles modifying the subject.
Both are gerunds functioning as subject and complement.
The first is a gerund and the second a participle.
The first is a participle and the second a gerund.
In this sentence, both 'seeing' and 'believing' function as noun-like elements. 'Seeing' serves as the subject and 'believing' as a subject complement, making them gerunds. The other options incorrectly assign their functions.
Consider the sentence 'Her constant complaining annoyed everyone.' Which of the following best identifies the function of 'complaining'?
A present participle functioning as an adjective.
An object complement.
A gerund functioning as the subject.
A verbal acting as an adverb.
In this sentence, 'complaining' is the head of the noun phrase 'Her constant complaining' and functions as the subject. This clearly identifies it as a gerund despite the presence of modifiers.
Which sentence demonstrates the ambiguity between a gerund and a participle due to its structure?
Flying is essential for survival.
Flying planes can be dangerous.
The flying bird soared away.
Flying across the ocean is tiring.
The sentence 'Flying planes can be dangerous' is famously ambiguous because 'flying' can be interpreted either as the act of piloting (a gerund) or as an adjective describing the planes (a participle). The other sentences clearly indicate a single grammatical function.
Analyze the sentence 'After painting the house, he took a break.' Is 'painting' a gerund or a participle, and why?
Gerund, because it acts as a noun.
Present participle, because it forms an adverbial phrase.
Present participle, because it functions as the main verb.
Gerund, because it is modified by 'after'.
In this sentence, 'painting the house' functions as an adverbial clause explaining the timing of his break. This means 'painting' is used as a present participle rather than as a gerund acting as a noun.
Which sentence best illustrates the expansion of a gerund into a complex noun phrase?
Her meticulous writing of detailed reports impresses everyone.
The written report was accepted.
They write short stories.
Writing every day improves your skills.
Option B expands the basic gerund by adding modifiers and a complement, forming the complex noun phrase 'Her meticulous writing of detailed reports.' This demonstrates how gerunds can be developed into richer expressions. The other sentences either use a simple gerund or do not feature a gerund at all.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify gerunds within complex sentences.
  2. Differentiate between gerunds and similar verb forms.
  3. Analyze the role of gerunds in sentence structure.
  4. Apply grammar rules to accurately spot gerunds in varied contexts.

Quiz: Which Sentence Contains a Gerund? Cheat Sheet

  1. Gerunds transform verbs into nouns - A gerund is a verb ending in "-ing" that steps into the noun role, letting actions party as subjects or objects. Picture "Swimming is fun," where "swimming" takes center stage as the subject. Purdue OWL: Gerunds
  2. Gerunds wear multiple hats - These versatile "-ing" words can serve as subjects, direct objects, subject complements, or objects of prepositions. For example, in "I enjoy reading," "reading" eagerly jumps in as the direct object of "enjoy." Royal Roads University: Gerunds
  3. Gerund phrases pack extra punch - A gerund phrase includes the gerund plus any modifiers or objects, acting together like a single noun. Think "Finding a needle in a haystack is difficult," where the whole phrase works as the subject. NMU Writing Center: Gerunds
  4. Gerunds vs. present participles - Both end in "-ing," but gerunds moonlight as nouns, while present participles describe nouns like adjectives. Spot the difference by asking if the word names an activity (gerund) or describes something (participle). Purdue OWL: Comparing Gerunds, Participles, and Infinitives
  5. Know which verbs love gerunds - Some verbs, such as "enjoy" and "avoid," are gerund's best friends, while others like "decide" and "hope" prefer the infinitive. Memorizing these verb pairings saves you from English mishaps and boosts your grammar game. American English: Gerunds and Infinitives
  6. Gerunds follow prepositions - When you see an "-ing" verb after a preposition, it's usually a gerund acting as a noun. For instance, "She is good at painting" shows "painting" happily tagging along after "at." College Sidekick: Gerunds
  7. Possessives clarify gerund subjects - Using a possessive pronoun before a gerund, like "your singing," makes it crystal clear whose action you're talking about. This trick keeps your meaning sharp and avoids confusing sentences. Purdue OWL: Gerunds
  8. Fixed expressions love gerunds - Phrases like "can't help," "be worth," and "it's no use" almost always roll out gerunds. You've heard "It's no use crying over spilled milk" - that's gerund magic in action. American English: Gerunds and Infinitives
  9. Spot gerunds like a grammar ninja - To identify a gerund, hunt for an "-ing" word that names an activity or concept rather than describing something. If it could be replaced by "that activity," you've found your gerund. NMU Writing Center: Gerunds
  10. Practice makes perfect - Reinforce your gerund skills with quizzes, exercises, and writing prompts - confidence grows with every correct answer. Dive into practice sheets to see gerunds in action and level up your writing. CliffsNotes: Verbal Gerund Worksheet
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