A gerund phrase consists of a gerund, which is a verb ending in -ing that functions as a noun, along with any modifiers or objects. For example, in the phrase “swimming in the ocean,” “swimming” is the gerund, and “in the ocean” modifies it. Gerund phrases can act as subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence. These phrases are useful for adding detail and clarity. For instance, in the sentence “Reading books improves vocabulary,” the gerund phrase “Reading books” serves as the subject. Understanding gerund phrases can enhance writing by allowing for more complex sentence structures.