Question

Many parents are guilty of "cajoling" their children with treats to get them to do something. What does cajoling mean?

a. tricking
b. persuading
c. pleasing
d. bullying

In which of the following sentences is the gerund italicized?

a. Running is Jonathan's first love, but he "struggles" with fitting it in his schedule because of long workdays.

b. Running is Jonathan's "first" love, but he struggles with fitting it in his schedule because of long workdays.

c. Running is Jonathan's first "love", but he struggles with fitting it in his schedule because of long workdays.

d. "Running" is Jonathan's first love, but he struggles with fitting it in his schedule because of long workdays.

1. b
2. I think both c and d are right.

Answer 1

1, correct

2. Study this site to see which sentence has a gerund.

http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/gerund.htm

Answer 2

Right.

Answer 3

So, what part of speech would "love" be in c? A verb?

Answer 4

No. The word, "love" in c is a noun. It's a predicate nominative following the linking verb, "is."

Answer 5

Love is used as a verb in this sentence.

Dog owners love their four-legged pets.