Locate the gerund or gerund phrase and identify its noun function in the sentence.

I helped by preparing dinner.

Is it preparing dinner and function is direct object?

Yes, "preparing dinner" is the gerund phrase. But it's the object of the preposition "by," not a direct object.

locate the gerund or gerund phrase and identify its noun function in the sentence " i helped by preparing dinner"

May I have permission to use the car tonight?

function of infinitive:

Yes, you are correct. "Preparing dinner" is the gerund phrase in the sentence, and its noun function is the direct object.

To locate the gerund phrase, you need to identify the verb that ends in "-ing" and see if it acts as a noun in the sentence. In this case, "preparing" is the verb that functions as a gerund because it ends in "-ing" and acts as a noun.

The noun function of the gerund phrase can be determined by asking yourself "what or whom" the action of preparing dinner affected. In this sentence, the action of preparing dinner is what the speaker helped with, so "preparing dinner" functions as the direct object.

In summary, the gerund phrase in the sentence is "preparing dinner," and its noun function is the direct object.