Pam is studying for her French exam.
I know that studying is the gerund, but is it a do, io or predicate nominative?
In this sentence, "is studying" is the verb.
In this sentence, "studying" is functioning as a gerund which acts as a noun. The role of the gerund in this sentence is a direct object (DO), as it is the object of the verb "is studying."
To determine whether "studying" functions as a direct object (do), an indirect object (io), or a predicate nominative, we need to understand the role it plays in the sentence.
In this case, "studying" is not directly receiving the action of the verb ("is" in this case). It is not the recipient of the action nor the target of the verb. Therefore, it is not functioning as a direct object.
It is also not functioning as an indirect object because it is not receiving an action that is being transferred from the subject ("Pam") to another recipient.
Considering these factors, we can conclude that "studying" is functioning as a predicate nominative. A predicate nominative follows a linking verb and renames or describes the subject of the sentence. In this case, "studying" is renaming or describing Pam. It is indicating what activity Pam is currently engaged in or what she is doing.
So, in summary, "studying" is a predicate nominative in the given sentence as it renames or describes the subject "Pam" and follows the linking verb "is."
In that sentence, "studying" is not a gerund. It's part of the main verb.
Pam - subject
is studying - main verb
for her French exam - prepositional phrase