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Thinking is hard work.
gerund or gerund phrase
noun function​

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The phrase 'thinking is hard work' is considered a gerund phrase with 'thinking' functioning as a gerund, and the entire phrase acting as the subject of the sentence.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding Gerund Phrases

The phrase 'thinking is hard work' contains a gerund, which is an -ing verb used as a noun. In this instance, 'thinking' serves as the subject of the sentence, which means it's functioning as a noun rather than as a verb. It is not just a gerund, but a gerund phrase because it includes the gerund 'thinking' along with its complement 'is hard work', together expressing a complete idea.

Gerund phrases can occupy any position in a sentence that a noun can. In the provided sentence, the gerund phrase is acting as the subject, effectively making the complete thought. Gerund phrases should not be confused with introductory phrases and are not followed by a comma when they serve as the subject of a sentence. For instance, "Thinking about the problem gave me a headache" has the gerund phrase as the subject, similar to the example at hand.

By analyzing examples of sentences, like 'Learning a foreign language is like learning to ride a bicycle: you must learn to perform multiple tasks at the same time', you can see how the gerund phrase functions as the subject. In this context, 'learning a foreign language' acts as the gerund phrase, carrying the role as the primary noun in the sentence.

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