For the question, identify how the underlined gerund or gerund phrase is used in the sentence.
She has finished several things by staying focused.
(1 point)
Responses
direct object
direct object
predicate nominative
predicate nominative
indirect object
indirect object
object of a preposition
object of a preposition
The underlined gerund phrase "staying focused" is used as the object of a preposition.
The underlined gerund phrase "staying focused" is used as the object of a preposition in the sentence.
To identify how the underlined gerund or gerund phrase is used in the sentence, we need to understand the function of gerunds in sentences.
Gerunds are verbs that function as nouns, and they can be used as subjects, direct objects, predicate nominatives, indirect objects, or objects of prepositions.
In the sentence "She has finished several things by staying focused," the underlined gerund phrase is "staying focused." To determine its function, we need to analyze how it is being used.
Here, "staying focused" is showing the way or method in which she has finished several things. It is explaining how she accomplished the action of finishing things.
Looking at the options provided:
- Direct objects receive the action of the verb. However, "staying focused" is not receiving the action; rather, it is describing how she finished things. So, direct object is not the correct answer.
- Predicate nominatives rename or identify the subject. Again, "staying focused" is not renaming or identifying the subject; it is describing how she finished things. So, predicate nominative is not the correct answer.
- Indirect objects receive the direct object and answer the question "to whom" or "for whom." There is no direct object in the sentence to which "staying focused" could be the indirect object. So, indirect object is not the correct answer.
- Object of a preposition is the noun or pronoun that follows a preposition. In this sentence, there is no preposition followed by "staying focused." So, object of a preposition is not the correct answer.
Based on our analysis, the correct answer is:
- It is not a direct object, predicate nominative, indirect object, or object of a preposition.
Therefore, the correct function of "staying focused" in the sentence is explaining how she finished several things.