Gerund as Subject

Pages 296-297

A gerund is a noun, so it can be the subject of a sentence:

Subject Verb Object

Money didn’t give him satisfaction.

Having money didn’t give him satisfaction.

Answer Key: Exercise 23 on page 2971. Working

2. having

3. Getting

4. Having/Making

5. Driving

6. Taking

7. Knowing

Sample Responses: Exercise 24 on Page 297

1. Having a lot of money doesn’t always make people happy.

2. Helping less fortunate people gives you satisfaction.

3. Volunteering your time can give you valuable work experience.

4. Getting an education is necessary to get a good job.

5. Working hard doesn’t always pay off.

Sample Responses: Exercise 25 on Page 297-298

1. Learning English is difficult for me.2. Coming to the U.S. was an important decision in my life.

3. Taking a hot bath makes me feel good.

4. Getting a low grade makes me feel bad.

6. Doing a good job makes me feel proud.

7. Reading has always been easy for me.

Gerund after Prepositions and Nouns

Pages 298-299

Examples:

care about Dawson didn’t care about owning fancy things.

believe in He believed in helping others

famous for Carnegie was famous for building libraries.

concerned about Dawson was concerned about helping poor college students.

successful at Joyce is successful at raising money for children with cancer.

thank for Dawson thanked his parents for teaching him to save money.

Here are a few cases in which you don’t need a preposition:

have a hard time/easy time

He didn’t have a hard time saving money.

spend money

He didn’t spend money going on vacations.

Sample Responses

Exercise 26 on Page 298

1. Are you worried about getting a ticket if you drive too

fast?

2. Are you interested in applying for a job in a

supermarket?

3. Were you excited about starting college?

4. Do you ever dream about flying?

Ms. Agard’s Responses

Exercise 27 on Page 298-299

1. I had a hard time getting this job.

2. I have a lot of experience living on my own.

3. I don’t have much experience running a home.

4. I spent a lot of money traveling when I was young.

5. I don’t like to spend my time watching TV.

6. I have a lot of fun going out for dinner with friends.

7. I don’t have a good time cleaning my house.

8. I don’t have a problem driving long distances.