Question

Distinguish correct gerund usage in context. Which sentence uses a gerund correctly as the subject or direct object?

A. She tried to waking the princess before the curse spread.


B. Sleeping for a hundred years changed the entire kingdom.


C. The fairy warned him to spinning the wheel carefully.


D. He avoided to exploring the dark hallway.

Answer 1

Answer: B.

Explanation: "Sleeping for a hundred years" is a gerund phrase functioning correctly as the subject.

Why the others are wrong:
- A: "tried to waking" is incorrect. Use "tried waking the princess" (gerund) or "tried to wake the princess" (infinitive).
- C: "warned him to spinning" is incorrect. Use "warned him against spinning the wheel" or "warned him to spin the wheel carefully" (if warning about how to do it).
- D: "avoided to exploring" is incorrect. Use "avoided exploring the dark hallway" (gerund) instead.