1. Gerunds: Subject and Object9
Gerunds: Subject and Object
Elections
Focus on Grammar 3
Part VII, Unit 27
By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells
Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. Running for Office 1 Voting is an important responsibility.
I will keep fighting for a new hospital.
Let’s discuss improving our schools.

3. Choosing a candidate takes time. I enjoy working for the people.
Running for Office 2
Choosing a candidate takes time.
I enjoy working for the people.
Do you resent paying higher taxes?

4. Form + = + = + = + = A gerund is the base form of a verb + -ing.
Gerunds can be used as nouns. +
verb
-ing =
noun
work +
-ing =
working
pay +
-ing =
paying
improve +
-ing =
improving

5. Gerunds as Subjects Voting is an important responsibility. Choosing
A gerund can be the subject of a sentence. It is always singular. Use a third-person singular verb after a gerund.
singular subject
Voting
is an important responsibility.
Choosing
a candidate takes time.

6. Be Careful! Don’t confuse gerunds with the
present progressive verb form.
present progressive
I am voting today.
verb
gerund
Voting is an important responsibility.
subject

7. Practice 1 Complete the sentences with gerunds. Windsurfing
Example: __________ is very exciting.
__________ makes me laugh.
__________ gives me a headache.
__________ isn’t polite.
__________ is popular in my country.
__________ destroys the environment.
Not __________ can be dangerous.

8. Gerunds as Objects A gerund can be the object of certain verbs.
suggest
I suggest improving our schools.
verb
object
enjoy
I enjoy working for the people.

9. Practice 2 Complete the dialogues with gerund phrases. Example:
A: Why do Christophe and Hiro go hiking so often?
B: They both enjoy ____________.
watching birds
1. A: I need a ride to the airport.
B: I don’t mind ____________.
2. A: Dad, can I go outside and play?
B: Have you finished ____________.
3. A: Why did Javier look so sad today?
B: I think he really misses _____________.

10. Gerunds with Go We often use go + gerund to describe activities.
Our family goes bowling every Saturday.
Ali went jogging with his dog.

11. Practice 3 Ask a partner how often he or she does these activities.
How often do you go dancing?
I go dancing every night. 1. 2.

12. Practice 4 Ask a partner how often he or she does these activities. 4.3. 5.

13. Discussion Questions What disasters have you survived?
What kinds of disasters are common in Korea? 
How do you and your family prepare for disasters? 
Did you feel any of the recent earthquakes in Korea?
What do you think Korea should do to prepare for future earthquakes?
What kind of disaster seems scariest to you?
What will you do if you hear there will be a serious natural disaster tomorrow and today could be your last day on Earth?
What will you do if North Korea attacks today?
What did you learn about geology in middle school or high school?
What was your favorite science class?
What is the most beautiful volcano or mountain you have ever seen?

14. Homework Please complete the following exercises from Pathways 2:
Read “The Gatekeeper of Merapi” on Page 134
Page 135, Ex. C
Page 138A
Write your answers on a sheet of A4-sized paper so you can turn it in during next week’s class.

15. References
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