Which best identifies and explains the function of the word gardening as it is used in this sentence? gardening is a pleasant and productive pastime for people of all ages. a) in the selected sentence, the word gardening is a gerund, and the gerund phrase functions as the subject. b) in the selected sentence, the word gardening is a gerund, and the gerund phrase functions as a direct object. c) in the selected sentence, the word gardening is a gerund, and the gerund phrase functions as a subject complement. d) in the selected sentence, the word gardening is a gerund, and the gerund phrase functions as the object of the preposition. which best identifies and explains the function of the word gardening as it is used in this sentence? gardening is a pleasant and productive pastime for people of all ages. a) in the selected sentence, the word gardening is a gerund, and the gerund phrase functions as the subject. b) in the selected sentence, the word gardening is a gerund, and the gerund phrase functions as a direct object. c) in the selected sentence, the word gardening is a gerund, and the gerund phrase functions as a subject complement. d) in the selected sentence, the word gardening is a gerund, and the gerund phrase functions as the object of the preposition.