Identify how the underlined word is used in the sentence:
After his transfer to Delhi, Papa really misses playing cricket with his old friends in Patna.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Gerund used as the object of the verb
Papa misses what? “Playing cricket”.
| Option | Form and use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Gerund used as the subject | the gerund comes before the verb, and the sentence is about it. Here the subject is “Papa”, and “playing” comes after “misses” | Walking keeps Grandpa fit. |
| (2) Present participle used as an adjective | the present participle describes a noun. Here “playing” does not describe any noun. It names what Papa misses | The barking dog woke us up. |
| (3) Gerund used as the object of the verb (answer) | a gerund is an -ing word used as a noun. Like a noun, it can be the object of a verb and answer “what?” after it | Amma loves singing old film songs. |
| (4) Present participle in a continuous verb | the present participle forms a continuous verb with is, are or was. No such helping verb comes before “playing” | The boys are playing in the park. |