Identify the kind of verb form underlined in the sentence:
Planting saplings along the canal bank was the first project of our school eco club.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Gerund
“Planting saplings along the canal bank” is the subject of the verb “was”. It names an activity, like a noun.
| Option | Form and use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Present participle | an -ing form that is part of a continuous verb (is planting) or describes a noun | The children are planting saplings in the school garden. |
| (2) Past participle | the past participle (V3), the form used after has or was, like planted or broken. “Planting” is an -ing form, not a V3 | The saplings were planted last July. |
| (3) Infinitive | “to” + the base form (to plant). “Planting” has no “to” and ends in -ing | Our club plans to plant fifty saplings. |
| (4) Gerund (answer) | the -ing form of a verb that does the work of a noun | Cycling is Raju’s favourite hobby. |