State whether the ing form in the following sentences is a gerund or present participle.
1. I heard someone knocking on the door.
Correct!
Wrong!
Here knocking is the object of the verb heard. An ing form used as the object is a gerund.
2. We saw them resting under a tree.
Correct!
Wrong!
3. I heard the sound coming from a distance.
Correct!
Wrong!
4. Trespassing is forbidden.
Correct!
Wrong!
Here the ing form is the subject. An ing form used as the subject is a gerund.
5. Hiking is a laborious task.
Correct!
Wrong!
6. The rushing boy knocked down the apple cart.
Correct!
Wrong!
Here the ing form modifies the noun boy. Hence, it is a present participle.
7. She enjoys being looked at.
Correct!
Wrong!
8. There was only a single shining star in the sky.
Correct!
Wrong!
9. We went out in the pouring rain.
Correct!
Wrong!
10. Climbing mountains is a good sport.
Correct!
Wrong!
11. I don’t mind waiting.
Correct!
Wrong!
12. She accused me of stealing her flowers.
Correct!
Wrong!
Here the ing form is the object of the preposition of. Hence, it is a gerund.
Answers
- I heard someone knocking on the door. (gerund)
- We saw them resting under a tree. (present participle)
- I heard the sound coming from a distance. (present participle)
- Trespassing is forbidden. (gerund)
- Hiking is a laborious task. (gerund)
- The rushing boy knocked down the apple cart. (present participle)
- She enjoys being looked at. (gerund)
- There was only a single shining star in the sky. (present participle)
- We went out in the pouring rain. (present participle)
- Climbing mountains is a good sport. (gerund)
- I don’t mind waiting. (gerund)
- She accused me of stealing her flowers. (gerund)
