Worksheet- Class VI (Andaman)

Gerund and Participle

Participle- a word formed from a verb (e.g. going, gone, being, been ) and used as an adjective
(e.g. working woman, burnt toast ) or a noun (e.g. good breeding ).

Read this sentence.

Reading is his favorite pastime.

 The word reading is formed from the Verb read, by adding ‘ing’.
 We also see that it is here used as the Subject of a verb, and hence does the work of a Noun. It
is, therefore, a Verb-Noun, and is called a Gerund.

Use of the Gerund-

A Gerund being a verb-noun may be used as,

(1) Subject of a verb: as

 Seeing is believing
 Hunting deer is not allowed in this country

(2) Object of a transitive verb; as,

 Stop playing
 Children love making mud castles.
 I like reading poetry
 He contemplated marrying his cousin

(3) Object of a preposition: as,

 I am tired of waiting
 He is fond of swimming
 He was punished for telling a lie.
 We were prevented from seeing the prisoner
 I have an aversion to fishing

(4) Complement of a verb; as,

 Seeing is believing
 What I most detest is smoking

(5) Absolutely; as,

 Playing cards being his aversion, we did not play bridge.

Question- Combine the following pairs of sentences by making use of a Participle.

Examples: The magician took pity on the mouse. He turned it into a cat
=Taking pity on the mouse, the magician turned it into a cat

The train was ready to leave the station. The people had taken their seats

=The people having taken their seats, the train was ready to leave the station

1. The porter opened the gate. We entered

2. We started early. We arrived at noon.
3. We met a man. He was carrying a log of wood
4. The stable door was open. The horse was stolen
5. He seized his stick. He rushed to the door.
6. The hunter took up his gun. He went out to shoot the lion
7. A crow stole a piece of cheese. She flew to her nest to enjoy the tasty meal
8. The wolf wished to pick a quarrel with the lamb. He said, "How dare you make the water
muddy?”
9. A passenger alighted from the train. He fell over a bag on the platform.
10. Nanak met his brother in the street. He asked him where he was going.

Question- Point out the Participles and Gerunds in the following sentences. In the case of the
Participle, name the noun or pronoun which it qualifies. In the case of the Gerund, state whether it is
subject, object, complement, or used after a preposition.

1. He was found fighting desperately for his life.

2.He has ruined his sight by reading small print.

3. Hearing the noise. he ran to the window.

4. We saw a clown standing on his head.

5. Asking questions is easier than answering them.

6 Waving their hats and handkerchiefs the people cheered the king.

7. Walking on the grass is forbidden

8. Jumping over the fence the thief escaped

9. The miser spends his time in hoarding money

10. Much depends on Rama's returning before noon.

11. Amassing wealth often ruins health

12. I was surprised at Hari's being absent