Question

Which words in the sentence are the complete gerund phrase? The ancient Egyptians avoided killing any sacred animals. A. sacred animals B. killing any sacred animals C. killing any D. avoided killing

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is option B. killing any sacred animals

Explanation:

A gerund phrase is a phrase consisting of a gerund, which is a noun formed by a verb root plus-ing, and any modifiers or objects associated with it. In a sentence, such gerund phrase functions as a noun and can act as a subject or an object.

In the particular sentence shown, The ancient Egyptians avoided killing any sacred animals, the words killing any sacred animals represent a gerund phrase since they fit the characteristics described before, acting in this sentence as an object.

Answer 2

The answer is B: killing any sacred animals.

 Gerunds are created out of verbs but function as nouns. The gerund phrase killing any sacred animals is the  direct object of the verb avoid. Gerund phrases always start with a gerund, always functions as a noun, and they are always subjects, objects or object complements in sentences. Example of a gerund phrase as a subject: Eating ice cream can be a good way to cool off.