Mini-Lesson #9 Subject-Verb Agreement: Gerunds as Subjects From the UWF Writing lab’s 101 grammar mini-lessons series

What is a gerund? 1. Gerunds are –ing verb forms. 2. They serve as nouns in a sentence. 3. Gerunds require singular verb forms (verbs that end in –s or –es), regardless of whether the object of the gerund is plural.

So what does that mean? Incorrect: Jumping hurdles are not easy. Correct: Jumping hurdles is not easy. * The subject is jumping, not hurdles.

Let’s give it a whirl! Eating tuna with chocolate syrup and pecans (make/makes) her sick. Makes *The singular subject is the gerund eating, not chocolate syrup and pecans.

Is this sentence correct? Going out with Roscoe and his cronies is the dumbest thing I ever did. Yes, it is.

One more time! Wearing seat belts (is/are) not just a good idea; it’s the law. is