Gerunds or no?
I really love swimming
Yes- gerund!
The cat sat on the mat.
on the mat.
The students finished their exam.
Independent
I walked to Walmart, and I bought Pokemon cards.
Compound
The bird flew swiftly through the atmosphere.
Adverb
Most people truly enjoy relaxing after a long day at the office.
Yes - gerund!
During the long movie, several people fell asleep.
During the long movie
while I was working on my assignment
Dependent
I am the best at eating lightbulbs!
Simple
The American flag was waving aggressively in the wind
Adjective
Mr. BobbyBob is running to the store today.
No- not a gerund
The girl with the red umbrella walked quickly past the store.
past the store.
because the rain started falling.
dependent
While I may be the best at making paper clips, I'm still learning new tricks!
complex
Billy's favorite after-school activity is playing the guitar.
Noun (gerund)
My sister’s favorite hobby, hiking through the mountains, requires expensive boots.
Yes- it is a gerund
Except for Sarah, everyone had already finished the assignment.
Except for Sarah
through the dark forest, the city, the street, and the school.
Phrase
Although it was raining, the children played outside.
complex
The kitten hid inside the cardboard box.
Preposition
Brian was the laughing stock of the classroom
No - not a gerund
A suspicious man stood in front of the house near the old oak tree.
2 phrases: in front of the house -- near the old oak tree.
The old bridge swaying precariously in the wind.
Phrase
The travelers grew weary, for they had walked many miles under the scorching sun.
compound
The terrified carefully avoided the crumbling ledge.
Adjective (Present participle)