Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) Practice Test

What is the definition of a gerund?

1. A verb ending in -ed

2. A noun formed from a verb, often using the -ing form

3. A simple past tense verb

4. A conjunction used in complex sentences

The correct answer is: A noun formed from a verb, often using the -ing form

A gerund is defined as a noun that is derived from a verb and typically takes the -ing form. This means that when a verb's action is expressed as a noun, it allows for the identification of the activity or concept associated with that verb, rather than just describing the action itself. For instance, in the phrase "swimming is fun," "swimming" acts as a gerund, referring to the act of swimming as a concept or activity. The importance of recognizing gerunds lies in their ability to function in various roles within a sentence. They can serve as subjects, direct objects, or objects of prepositions, thereby integrating seamlessly into the structure of the sentence. The other definitions do not capture the nature of a gerund accurately. A verb ending in -ed refers to a past participle, a simple past tense verb denotes a specific form of a verb that indicates completed actions, and a conjunction is a word that connects clauses or sentences, which does not relate to the concept of gerunds.