Hey huizilily, how are you? As regards the example you provided (''While many people aspire to top-level jobs, understanding that executive positions require time and commitment puts all those perks in a new light''), the phrase ''understanding that excutive positions require time and commitment'' functions as the subject of the sentence, in which the verb ''understand'' has been shifted to its gerund form ''understanding'' in order to form the main part of the whole sentence. So far as that is concerend, this is what we call a ''gerund phrase''. Below you shall find a better explanation on the usage of the grammatical function of gerunds: --> Because they act like nouns, gerunds can be used as the subject of a sentence, the subject complement of the linking verb be, the object of a preposition, or the object of a verb. They can also be used to form compound nouns. However, for the question concerned, we shall focus upon the subject function: * Just like a normal noun, a gerund or gerund phrase can be the subject of a sentence. For example: “Swimming is an excellent form of exercise!” (gerund only) “Eating vegetables gives you a lot of extra energy.” (gerund + object) “Studying too hastily will result in a poor grade.” (gerund + adverb(s)) “Reading romantic literature proves to be an unpopular pastime among academics.” (gerund + adjective + noun) “Working from home allows me to spend more time with my family.” (gerund + prepositional phrase) ** NOTICE: In the third example, the gerund ''studying'' is being modified by an adverb, ''hastily'' (itself modified by ''too''). Likewise, ''working'' in the last example is modified by the adverbial prepositional phrase ''from home''. This may seem contradictory, since gerunds act like nouns, and adverbs can’t modify nouns. However, in this case, it is the gerund phrase that is functioning as a noun, so the gerund itself can still be modified by an adverb in the same way as a normal verb. Hope that helps!!!

While many people aspire to top-level jobs, understanding that executive positions require time and commitment puts all those perks in a new light. [While many people aspire to top-level jobs], = subordinate clause [understanding that executive positions require time and commitment] = subject of main clause [puts] = verb of main clause [all those perks] = object of main clause [in a new light] = prepositional phrase [understanding that executive positions require time and commitment] understanding = gerund that executive positions require time and commitment = gerund object (subordinate clause) executive positions = subordinate subject require = subordinate verb time and commitment = subordinate object