Select the gerund phrase in the sentence below. Then, determine the noun function of the gerund.

Question

Brett earns his income by repairing cars.

Answer 1

I'll be glad to check your answer.

Answer 2

repairing cars

direct object

Answer 3

Repairing cars is the gerund phrase.

However, it's not the direct object. It's the object of the preposition, "by."

Direct objects answer the question WHAT or WHOM after the verb.

In this sentence, "income" is the direct object of the verb, "earns."

Answer 4

ok thank you . i have difficulty with being able to tell the difference between the noun functions.

Answer 5

You're welcome.