How is the gerund used in the sentence "She preferred walking over bicycling"?

In the sentence "She preferred walking over bicycling," the gerund "walking" functions as the object of the verb "preferred." When we examine the structure, "preferred" is a transitive verb that requires a direct object to complete its meaning, which in this case is the action of "walking."

Furthermore, "over bicycling" involves the preposition "over," which introduces a comparison between two gerund phrases: "walking" and "bicycling." Here, "bicycling" also acts as an object of the preposition "over." This dual presence—where "walking" serves as the object of the verb and "bicycling" serves as the object of the preposition—clearly illustrates the gerund's role in the sentence.

This understanding emphasizes that gerunds can serve different functions within a sentence, showcasing their versatility in English grammar.