1. Gerund 1
Difference between gerunds and gerund phrases used as the object of a preposition
VS.
participial phrases

2. The punctuation is the reason.2
To talk about actions, we must give them names. We give actions names by adding –ing to verbs, thus changing the verbs into nouns which we call by the special name of gerunds
Could the word swinging be either a participle or a gerund? Yes.
To decide whether an -ing word is a present participle or a gerund, we must see how it is used in the sentence. If the –ing word is used as an adjective, it is a present participle. If the –ing word is used as a noun, it is a gerund.
The punctuation is the reason.

3. Swinging makes me dizzy. Subject verb Participle phrase 3
Gerund
Swinging makes me dizzy.
Subject verb
Participle phrase
Swinging around in circles, Jeff lost his balance and threw-up.
Sub Verb
Noun Object of the preposition
After swinging around in circles, Jeff lost his balance and threw-up.
S V

4. Walking is good exercise. S V Participle phrase 4
Gerund
Walking is good exercise.
S V
Participle phrase
Needing a haircut, Bob looked for a barber shop.
S V
Gerund Object of the prep. phr.
Without waiting for his change, the customer left the store.
S V

5. Observing ants is fascinating. Subject Verb Participle phr. S V 5
Gerund phrase
Observing ants is fascinating.
Subject Verb
Participle phr S V
Living alone, Aunt Mae is often lonesome for company.
Gerund Object of the prep. phr.
Without putting on the parking brake, Paul parked the car on a steep hill.
S V

6. After consulting a number of people, I decided to become a chemist.5
Gerund phr.
Being selfish is a good way to lose friends.
S V
Participle phr.
Hearing a loud crash, we rushed to the window.
S V
Gerund Object of the prep. phr.
After consulting a number of people, I
decided to become a chemist.

7. Flying a plane can be an exciting experience. 7
Flying a plane can be an exciting experience.
Reaching for the sugar Jeff knocked over a glass.
Walking for the first time excited the baby.
Looking for a place to swim we walked along the shore.
After staying out past curfew my parents grounded me.
Breaking new ground in cancer research is a challenge many scientists are trying to meet.
Expecting a strike the company bought a large amount of steel.
Unlocking the mystery of the disease will be a major contribution.
Listening carefully in class helps a student.

8. Flying a plane can be an exciting experience. Correct 8
Flying a plane can be an exciting experience. Correct
Reaching for the sugar, Jeff knocked over a glass.
Walking for the first time excited the baby. Correct
Looking for a place to swim, we walked along the shore.
After staying out past curfew, my parents grounded me.
Breaking new ground in cancer research is a challenge many scientists are trying to meet. Correct
Expecting a strike, the company bought a large amount of steel.
Unlocking the mystery of the disease will be a major contribution. Correct
Listening carefully in class helps a student. Correct