Anglais • 1ère

Gerund (-ing) as Subject and Object
The Verbal Group - Infinitives and Gerunds

Gerund Functions
📝 Gerund (-ing) as Subject and Object
Functioning as noun phrases
AS SUBJECT
✅ Reading is fun
✅ Swimming helps
✅ Studying matters
📝 "Swimming is good"
AS OBJECT
✅ Love reading
✅ Enjoy swimming
✅ Hate studying
📝 "Enjoy swimming"
🎯
Definition: Gerunds are -ing forms of verbs that function as nouns.
📚
As Subject: Gerund at beginning acts as sentence subject (Swimming is fun).
🔄
As Object: Gerund after verbs acts as direct object (Love reading).
💡
Function: Gerunds can be subject, object, or complement.
💡
Tip: Gerunds act like nouns in sentences
🔍
Attention: Position determines function (subject vs object)
⚡
Rule: After prepositions use gerunds, not infinitives
📋
Method: Practice identifying position in sentence
AS SUBJECT
Reading is fun
Swimming is good
Studying helps
Walking relaxes
AS OBJECT
Love reading
Enjoy swimming
Like studying
Avoid walking
VERBS WITH GERUNDS
enjoy, like
love, hate
start, begin
stop, continue
POSITION MATTERS
Beginning: subject
Middle: object
End: object
After prep: object
Gerund as Subject
1 Gerund as Subject
Instructions :

Identify gerunds functioning as subjects in sentences.

Step 1: "Reading books is enjoyable"

"Reading books" is at the beginning and performs the action → Subject

Step 2: "Swimming in the ocean is relaxing"

"Swimming in the ocean" starts the sentence and is the main topic → Subject

Step 3: "Learning new skills takes time"

"Learning new skills" begins the sentence and performs the action → Subject

Step 4: "Walking in the park is good exercise"

"Walking in the park" is the topic of the sentence → Subject

Step 5: "Speaking multiple languages opens doors"

"Speaking multiple languages" begins the sentence and performs the action → Subject

Subjects :

1. Reading books, 2. Swimming in the ocean, 3. Learning new skills, 4. Walking in the park, 5. Speaking multiple languages

Subject Rules :

• Position: Gerund at beginning of sentence

• Function: Performs the action of the verb

• Grammar: Takes singular verb agreement

2 Gerund Subject Sentences
Instructions :

Complete sentences with gerunds as subjects.

Step 1: "___ (reading) books improves vocabulary"

Gerund at beginning as subject → "Reading"

Step 2: "___ (exercising) regularly keeps you healthy"

Gerund as subject → "Exercising"

Step 3: "___ (traveling) broadens your perspective"

Gerund as subject → "Traveling"

Step 4: "___ (learning) new languages is challenging"

Gerund as subject → "Learning"

Step 5: "___ (cooking) at home saves money"

Gerund as subject → "Cooking"

Completed Sentences :

1. Reading, 2. Exercising, 3. Traveling, 4. Learning, 5. Cooking

Subject Pattern :

• Structure: Gerund + verb (usually singular)

• Function: Topic of the sentence

• Agreement: Takes singular verb form

3 Gerund Subject Identification
Instructions :

Determine if the gerund is functioning as subject.

Step 1: "Swimming is my favorite activity"

Yes, "Swimming" is the subject of the sentence

Step 2: "I enjoy swimming in the morning"

No, "swimming" is the object of "enjoy"

Step 3: "Running helps reduce stress"

Yes, "Running" is the subject performing the action

Step 4: "She is thinking about running"

No, "running" is object of preposition "about"

Step 5: "Studying hard leads to success"

Yes, "Studying hard" is the subject of the sentence

Subject Identification :

1. Yes, 2. No, 3. Yes, 4. No, 5. Yes

Identification Rules :

• Subject: At beginning, performs the action

• Object: After verb, receives the action

• After preposition: Never a subject

Gerund as Object
4 Gerund as Direct Object
Instructions :

Identify gerunds functioning as direct objects.

Step 1: "I love reading mystery novels"

"reading mystery novels" receives the action of "love" → Direct object

Step 2: "She enjoys swimming laps"

"swimming laps" receives the action of "enjoys" → Direct object

Step 3: "They hate studying grammar"

"studying grammar" receives the action of "hate" → Direct object

Step 4: "He avoids eating spicy food"

"eating spicy food" receives the action of "avoids" → Direct object

Step 5: "We practice speaking English"

"speaking English" receives the action of "practice" → Direct object

Direct Objects :

1. reading mystery novels, 2. swimming laps, 3. studying grammar, 4. eating spicy food, 5. speaking English

Object Rules :

• Position: After transitive verbs

• Function: Receives the action of the verb

• Pattern: Verb + gerund

5 Gerund Object Completion
Instructions :

Complete sentences with gerunds as direct objects.

Step 1: "I enjoy ___ (swimming) in the pool"

Gerund as object of "enjoy" → "swimming"

Step 2: "She loves ___ (reading) historical novels"

Gerund as object of "loves" → "reading"

Step 3: "They hate ___ (waiting) in lines"

Gerund as object of "hate" → "waiting"

Step 4: "He practices ___ (playing) the piano"

Gerund as object of "practices" → "playing"

Step 5: "We avoid ___ (eating) junk food"

Gerund as object of "avoid" → "eating"

Completed Sentences :

1. swimming, 2. reading, 3. waiting, 4. playing, 5. eating

Object Pattern :

• Structure: Subject + verb + gerund

• Function: Receives action of transitive verb

• Verbs: Enjoy, love, hate, avoid, practice

Key Points Summary
🎯
Subject Function: Gerund at beginning of sentence, performs the action
🔍
Object Function: Gerund after verb, receives the action
⚡
Position Matters: Beginning = subject, After verb = object
📋
Common Verbs: Enjoy, love, hate, start, stop, continue with gerunds
Subject
Reading is fun
Beginning position
Object
Love reading
After verb
Pattern
V + gerund
Verb + -ing form
Gerund (-ing) as subject and object Infinitives and Gerunds