Identify the italicized word or words in each sentence

Simon preferred LISTENING TO MUSIC as he did his homework

a) infinitive phrase
b) gerund phrase
c) infinitive phrase
d) prepositional phrase

gerund i think because the suffix -ing is a gerund

Gerund phrase is right, yes!

=)

To identify the italicized word or words in the sentence, we need to understand the various parts of speech and phrases. Let's break down the sentence:

"Simon preferred LISTENING TO MUSIC as he did his homework."

The phrase "LISTENING TO MUSIC" is italicized. Now, let's analyze the options:

a) Infinitive phrase: An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive verb (to + base form of the verb) and any accompanying modifiers or objects. In this sentence, "listening" is not an infinitive verb, as it does not start with "to."

b) Gerund phrase: A gerund phrase consists of a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun) and any accompanying modifiers or objects. In this sentence, "listening" is indeed a gerund because it functions as a noun (the object of the verb "preferred").

c) Infinitive phrase: As mentioned earlier, "listening" does not start with "to" and is not an infinitive verb, so this option can be eliminated.

d) Prepositional phrase: A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition (a word that shows the relationship between a noun/pronoun and other words in a sentence) and its object. There is no prepositional phrase in this sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is b) gerund phrase: "LISTENING TO MUSIC" is a gerund phrase acting as the object of the verb "preferred."