Question

What is the function of the gerund phrase in the sentence below?
He tried scrubbing with stain remover, but the grass stain on his pants
remained.
O subject
O subject complement
O direct object
o indirect object
O object of a preposition

Answer 1

Answer: direct object

Explanation:

A gerund is a noun that includes the verb root, adding -ing to the end of the word. A full gerund phrase includes a gerund and its modifiers.  A gerund phrase works as a noun and it can be a subject, an object, or a predicate nominative in the sentence.

In this example, the gerund scrubbing is acting as the direct object of the verb tried.