Here's why:
* Gerund Phrase: A gerund phrase is a group of words that starts with a gerund (a verb form ending in "-ing" that acts as a noun).
* In the sentence "The laughing boy sat down", the phrase "laughing boy" is not a gerund phrase. It is a noun phrase describing the boy.
Let's analyze the other options:
* A is verb used the same way as noun: This sentence does not contain a gerund phrase. It is a statement about grammar, not a sentence with a gerund phrase.
* An interesting novel provides good entertainment: This sentence does not contain a gerund phrase. "Providing" is a verb in its base form, not a gerund.
Key takeaway: To identify a gerund phrase, look for a verb ending in "-ing" that is functioning as a noun (subject, object, etc.).