Gerund Subjects Answer Key
About This Worksheet
This Grade 7 Language Arts worksheet helps students choose verbs when an action word ending in -ing acts as the subject. These words are called gerunds, and a single gerund usually takes a singular verb because it names one activity. Students also study sentences with two gerund subjects joined by and, which usually require a plural verb. For example, “Running is a great way to build endurance” treats running as one activity, while “Painting and drawing require patience” names two activities.
Learning Goals
The main goal is to help students recognize when an -ing word functions as a noun and controls the verb. Students should already know that gerunds name actions or activities. This activity moves them toward distinguishing one gerund subject from a compound gerund subject and choosing the correct singular or plural verb. It supports CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.1, which focuses on verbals and subject-verb agreement.
Student Tasks
On this worksheet, students will complete ten sentences by selecting the verb that agrees with the gerund subject. Some sentences begin with one activity, such as running, solving, learning, reading, practicing, or watching. Others contain two activities joined by and, such as painting detailed murals or exploring ancient ruins. Students must decide whether the full subject names one action or more than one.
Common Challenges
Some students may focus on a plural noun later in the sentence and forget that the gerund phrase is the true subject. Others may assume every word ending in -ing is part of the verb rather than a noun. Compound gerund subjects can also be overlooked when the two activities are long. Encourage students to bracket the entire subject and replace one gerund with it or two gerunds with they.
Teaching Suggestions
A teacher can compare “Running is healthy” with “The students are running” to show how the same word form can perform different jobs. Students can then identify whether the -ing word names the activity or completes the verb phrase. At home, a parent can ask the child to name one favorite activity and two favorite activities, then build sentences using is and are. This makes the agreement rule easy to hear.
Worksheet Features
The worksheet includes ten sentences with both single and compound gerund subjects. The answer choices provide direct contrast between singular and plural verb forms. Familiar topics such as hiking, reading, baking, music, and documentaries make the grammar easy to discuss. This page works well for gerund review, agreement practice, homework, or a quick skills check.