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Answer Key

Distinguishing between Gerunds and Participles - Exercise 1

For help with with participles and participial phrases, go to participles.
For help with with participles and participial phrases, go to gerunds.

1. Sewing slowly and meticulously, the tailor repaired the antique tapestry.

Answer: participial phrase modifies tailor

Your answer:

2. Do you mind my mentioning this subject to my friends?

Answer: gerund phrase direct object

Your answer:gerund

3. Buying too much fresh food all at once can increase chances of spoilage.

Answer: gerund phrase subject

Your answer:

4. His heart's desire, proposing to Mary tomorrow night, was out of the question.

Answer: gerund phrase appositive

Your answer:

5. Upon reaching the harbor, the sailors debarked and streamed into town.

Answer: gerund phrase object of preposition (upon)

Your answer:

6. Nobody likes that picture hanging in the den.

Answer: participial phrase modifies picture

Your answer:

7. We rested for an hour after lugging two rooms of furniture to the dump.

Answer: gerund phrase object of preposition (after)

Your answer:

8. The people standing at the back of the auditorium couldn't hear the speaker.

Answer: participial phrase modifies people

Your answer:

9. John, having eaten the most hot dogs, won the contest.

Answer: participial phrase modifies John

Your answer:

10. Harold's greatest joy in life is playing the tuba in the team band.

Answer: gerund phrase subjective complement

Your answer:

11. The film showing at the Ritz through Thursday is a classic.

Answer: participial phrase modifies film

Your answer:

12. There is no harm in stating your opinion on the matter.

Answer: gerund phrase object of preposition (in)

Your answer:

13. After that long speech, we all felt like taking a long nap.

Answer: gerund phrase object of preposition (like)

Your answer:

14. The philanthropist enjoyed giving away lots of money.

Answer: gerund phrase direct object

Your answer:

15. You don't see children swinging hula hoops around their waists very often these days.

Answer: participial phrase modifies children

Your answer:

 

For further information on these resources, contact
Margaret L. Benner
benner@towson.edu

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