🌱 Basic level

Basics of genitive gerunds. 45 questions on using possessive pronouns and possessive nouns before gerunds.

What this test covers

  • Identifying Gerund Subjects
  • Possessive Pronouns with Gerunds
  • Basic Nominal Gerund Usage
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  1. Q1I really appreciate ___ helping us with the project today.

    Answer: A. his

    Before a gerund (helping), we use a possessive pronoun like 'his' to show who performs the action.

  2. Q2They were surprised by ___ coming to the party so early.

    Answer: A. our

    The possessive pronoun 'our' correctly modifies the gerund 'coming'.

  3. Q3We talked about ___ winning the regional championship.

    Answer: A. their

    Use the possessive form 'their' before the gerund 'winning'.

  4. Q4What do you think about ___ joining our study group?

    Answer: A. my

    The possessive adjective 'my' is used before the gerund 'joining'.

  5. Q5She was pleased with ___ completing the task on time.

    Answer: A. your

    The possessive pronoun 'your' modifies the gerund 'completing'.

  6. Q6Do you mind ___ sitting near the window?

    Answer: A. my

    In standard formal English, 'my' is the possessive modifier for the gerund 'sitting'.

  7. Q7The teacher praised ___ answering all the questions correctly.

    Answer: A. her

    The possessive pronoun 'her' functions as the subject modifier of the gerund 'answering'.

  8. Q8___ leaving early caused a bit of confusion.

    Answer: A. His

    When a gerund starts a sentence as the subject, the possessive pronoun 'His' modifies it.

  9. Q9___ singing impressed everyone in the auditorium.

    Answer: A. Her

    'Her' is the possessive adjective modifying the gerund 'singing'.

  10. Q10We were happy about ___ finding a good solution.

    Answer: A. their

    Use 'their' to possessively modify the gerund noun phrase 'finding a good solution'.

  11. Q11Is there any objection to ___ staying another night?

    Answer: A. our

    The preposition 'to' takes the gerund 'staying', which is modified by possessive 'our'.

  12. Q12The manager supported ___ applying for the promotion.

    Answer: A. my

    'My' is the possessive form modifying the noun-like gerund 'applying'.

  13. Q13___ arriving late delayed the whole meeting.

    Answer: A. Your

    The possessive pronoun 'Your' modifies the gerund subject 'arriving'.

  14. Q14They celebrated ___ passing the final exam.

    Answer: A. his

    'His' is the possessive pronoun modifying the gerund 'passing'.

  15. Q15Did anyone notice ___ taking the book from the shelf?

    Answer: A. their

    Possessive 'their' modifies the gerund action 'taking'.

  16. Q16The supervisor approved of ___ working overtime.

    Answer: A. John's

    Add an apostrophe-s (John's) to form the possessive noun modifying the gerund 'working'.

  17. Q17Everyone was excited about the ___ performing live.

    Answer: A. band's

    The singular noun 'band' takes 's (band's) to possessively modify the gerund 'performing'.

  18. Q18We were amazed by the ___ speaking so fluently.

    Answer: A. child's

    The possessive singular noun 'child's' modifies the gerund 'speaking'.

  19. Q19The principal didn't like the ___ shouting in the hallway.

    Answer: B. students'

    For a regular plural noun ending in s (students), add just an apostrophe (students') before the gerund.

  20. Q20I remember my ___ telling me stories about the past.

    Answer: A. grandmother's

    The possessive noun 'grandmother's' modifies the gerund 'telling'.

  21. Q21The team was confident about the ___ winning the match.

    Answer: A. coach's

    Use the possessive noun 'coach's' before the gerund 'winning'.

  22. Q22Did you hear about the ___ moving to a new city?

    Answer: A. family's

    The possessive 'family's' modifies the gerund 'moving'.

  23. Q23The audience enjoyed the ___ dancing on stage.

    Answer: A. actor's

    Possessive 'actor's' modifies the gerund noun 'dancing'.

  24. Q24We were surprised by the ___ rising so quickly.

    Answer: A. sun's

    'Sun's' is the possessive noun modifying the gerund 'rising'.

  25. Q25No one anticipated the ___ resigning unexpectedly.

    Answer: A. doctor's

    Possessive noun 'doctor's' modifies the gerund 'resigning'.

  26. Q26The neighbors complained about the ___ barking at night.

    Answer: A. dog's

    Single noun 'dog' takes 's (dog's) before the gerund 'barking'.

  27. Q27The company benefited from the ___ investing in new technology.

    Answer: A. client's

    Possessive 'client's' modifies the gerund 'investing'.

  28. Q28The reporter mentioned the ___ visiting the museum.

    Answer: A. president's

    Possessive noun 'president's' modifies the gerund 'visiting'.

  29. Q29What was the reason for the ___ failing the test?

    Answer: A. machine's

    'Machine's' is the possessive noun modifying the gerund 'failing'.

  30. Q30They were delighted by the ___ winning first place.

    Answer: A. girl's

    Possessive noun 'girl's' modifies the gerund 'winning'.

  31. Q31She strongly objected to ___ opening her private mail.

    Answer: A. his

    The possessive pronoun 'his' is the formal modifier for the gerund 'opening'.

  32. Q32___ refusing the offer disappointed the committee.

    Answer: A. Mary's

    The proper noun with possessive 's (Mary's) modifies the gerund subject 'refusing'.

  33. Q33Do you mind ___ turning down the volume?

    Answer: A. my

    Use possessive 'my' before the gerund 'turning'.

  34. Q34The manager appreciated ___ submitting the report early.

    Answer: A. our

    Possessive 'our' modifies the gerund 'submitting'.

  35. Q35___ practicing every day led to her victory.

    Answer: A. Her

    Possessive 'Her' modifies the gerund noun phrase 'practicing every day'.

  36. Q36We were surprised at ___ knowing all the details.

    Answer: A. their

    Possessive 'their' modifies the gerund 'knowing'.

  37. Q37The committee agreed on ___ leading the project.

    Answer: A. David's

    The possessive noun 'David's' modifies the gerund 'leading'.

  38. Q38Is there any risk of ___ losing the keys?

    Answer: A. your

    Use possessive 'your' before the gerund 'losing'.

  39. Q39I cannot understand ___ acting so rudely.

    Answer: A. his

    Possessive pronoun 'his' modifies the gerund 'acting'.

  40. Q40The parents supported ___ choosing an artistic career.

    Answer: A. their son's

    The possessive noun phrase 'their son's' modifies the gerund 'choosing'.

  41. Q41___ interrupting the speaker was considered impolite.

    Answer: A. Tom's

    Possessive noun 'Tom's' modifies the sentence-initial gerund 'interrupting'.

  42. Q42What is the likelihood of ___ getting selected?

    Answer: A. her

    Possessive 'her' modifies the gerund 'getting'.

  43. Q43We are looking forward to ___ visiting us next month.

    Answer: A. their

    Possessive 'their' modifies the gerund 'visiting' after the phrasal preposition 'looking forward to'.

  44. Q44___ complaining will not solve the issue.

    Answer: A. Your

    Possessive adjective 'Your' modifies the gerund subject 'complaining'.

  45. Q45The firm counted on ___ completing the audit successfully.

    Answer: A. the team's

    The possessive noun phrase 'the team's' modifies the gerund 'completing'.

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