State whether the ing form used in the following sentences is a gerund or a present participle.

1. Smoking is prohibited.

2. Rash driving should be punished.

3. I enjoy reading.

4. She is used to working hard.

5. Are you used to living alone?

6. I look forward to hearing from you.

7. She was watering the plants.

8. They were singing merrily.

9. The children are playing in the park.

10. Playing football is good for health.

11. Watching movies is not a useful activity.

12. Swimming is a good exercise.

Answers

1. Smoking is prohibited. (smoking – gerund; it is the subject of the verb is)

2. Rash driving should be punished. (driving – gerund)

3. I enjoy reading. (reading – gerund; it is the object of the verb enjoy.)

4. She is used to working hard. (working – gerund)

5. Are you used to living alone? (living – gerund; it is the object of the preposition to.)

6. I look forward to hearing from you. (hearing – gerund; it is the object of the preposition to; an ing form going after a preposition is a gerund.)

7. She was watering the plants. (watering – present participle)

8. They were singing merrily. (singing – present participle)

9. The children are playing in the park. (playing – present participle; it helps form the continuous tense form are playing.)

10. Playing football is good for health. (playing – gerund)

11. Watching movies is not a useful activity. (watching – gerund; it is part of the phrase watching movies which acts as the subject of the verb is)

12. Swimming is a good exercise. (swimming – gerund; it is the subject of the verb is)