Title: The gerund

The gerund phrase functions as the subject of the sentence.

Sin título Text

- Finding a needle in a haystack would be easier than what we're trying to do.
- Finding (gerund)
- a needle (direct object of action expressed in gerund)
- in a haystack (prepositional phrase as adverb)

The gerund phrase functions as the direct object of the verb appreciate.

Sin título Text

- I hope that you appreciate my offering you this opportunity.
- my (possessive pronoun adjective form, modifying the gerund)
- offering (gerund)
- you (indirect object of action expressed in gerund)
- this opportunity (direct object of action expressed in gerund)

The gerund phrase functions as the subject complement.

Sin título Text

- Tom's favorite tactic has been jabbering away to his constituents.
- jabbering away to (gerund)
- his constituents (direct object of action expressed in gerund)

The gerund phrase functions as the object of the preposition for.

Sin título Text

- You might get in trouble for faking an illness to avoid work.
- faking (gerund)
- an illness (direct object of action expressed in gerund)
- to avoid work (infinitive phrase as adverb)

The gerund phrase functions as the subject of the sentence.

Sin título Text

- Being the boss made Jeff feel uneasy.
- Being (gerund) the boss (subject complement for Jeff, via state of being expressed in gerund)