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The Gerund as Object

The gerund in the function of a direct object

3.1.1.

to admit to appreciate to deny to dislike to enjoy to fancy to imagine to mention to miss to mind to risk to suggest etc.   doing something (all the forms) (only the gerund is used)

 

My wife mentioned seeing you the other day - 'Seeing' is the gerund which is used in the function of the direct object.

He admitted having stolen the car.

He didn't want to risk getting wet.

Young children enjoy helping round the house.

I don't mind driving if you're tired.

Sorry, but I don't fancy going out tonight.

 

3.1.2.

can't help can't avoid doing something (only the gerund is used)

 

I couldn’t avoid speaking of her.

It's awful, but I couldn’t help laughing at her as she fell into the water.

 

3.1.3.

need want (British English) informal to be worth require (formal) deserve (formal) doing something (only the active gerund is used)

 

The house needs painting.

Does the skirt need ironing?

The carpet really wants cleaning (British English).

The film is (well) worth seeing.

CAUTION!

The Passive forms of the gerund are not used after these verbs as an active gerund form in this sentence pattern has a passive meaning.

 

3.1.4.

to hate to like to love to prefer can't stand can't hear   doing something or to do something (usually no difference in meaning or some changes in meaning)

 

I remember how much I hated doing sums when I was at school.

When I was at school I used to love swimming but I hated diving.

Compare:

I hate disturbing you (in general). - I hate to disturb you (I don't want to, but I'm going to).

I love watching TV (in general). - I love to watch TV (a future event).

I can't bear to see her cry. - I can't bear not seeing him again.

Dave can't stand working in an office. - Lily can't stand to hear them arguing.

Compare:

I hate to see you unhappy. - I have always hated speaking in public.

I like to see people enjoying themselves. - I don't like talking in public.

We all love to talk about ourselves. - I love going out to restaurants.

I prefer to wear clothes made of natural fibers. - Crystal prefers traveling by train.

 

3.1.5.

to remember to forget to regret to do something (something in the future or in the present) doing something (something that happened in the past)

 

I regret to say I feel ill (I'm going to inform you that I feel ill).

I regret spending so much money (I regret I spent so much money).

Compare:

I remember meeting her at a party once. - Please, remember to buy me some stamps.

She never forgot seeing the Himalayas for the first time. - Don't forget to lock up when you leave.

 

3.1.6.
  to try doing something (to test, to use, to make an experiment with a new or different approach to see) to do something (to make an effect, to attempt to do something difficult

 

Try phoning his home number.

Compare:

Have you ever tried windsurfing? - They decided they would try living in America for a while.

He tried to control his voice. - She was trying not to cry.

 

3.1.7.

find it   an adjective doing something

 

My mother found it difficult trying to bring up two children while doing a full-time job. - 'Trying to bring up two children' is the gerund in the function of a direct object in the sentence pattern with a formal object expressed by the introductory (anticipatory) it".

 

Exercise 4. Choose the right form of the non-finite form of the verb:

 

1. I seriously consider _______. 2. I can't afford _______ it. 3. I suggest _______ the member of the committee to express their opinions on the matter. 4. I finally completed _______ my term paper. 5. Tom decided _______ his membership of the golf club. 6. Jane managed ______ her essay on Bernard Shaw in a two-week's time. 7. I dislike _____ the centre of attention. 8. I've been meaning ______ you if you want to come for a meal next week. 9. Do you promise never _____ that again? 10. Imagine _____ a horrible job like this. 11. I think we should discuss _____ new computer systems to control aircraft. 12. I anticipate _____________________ on vacation. 13. I'll arrange _______ in when you call. 14. Are you waiting ________ the phone? 15. When do you plan ________________? 16. She can never resist _________ new shoes. ask / asking   to be / being   to buy / buying   to do / doing   to take your holiday / having a good time   to resign / resigning   to write / writing   to use / using

 

Exercise 5. Supply the infinitive or the gerund after the verbs in the following sentences:

1.We are considering whether _____ our advice to tourists (to change / changing)

2.Just imagine _____ all that way for nothing. (to go / going)

3.For months the company has resisted ______ its accounts system. (to change / changing)

4.The bakery was shut so I didn't manage _____ any bread. (to get / getting)

5.He risked ______ his house when his company went bankrupt. (to lose / losing)

6.How could Jonathan afford ______ a new suit? (to buy / buying)

7.I don't mind ______ a dog in the house so long as it's clean and it doesn't smell. (to have / having)

8.I'd prefer _______ in tonight, if you don't mind. (to stay / staying)

9.I've got to go. I promised ______ by 10 o'clock. (to be home / being home)

10. He resents _______ to explain his work to other people. (having / to have)

11. We're considering _______ the house. (to sell / selling)

12. He prefers ________ rugby to playing it. (to watch / watching)

13. I'd prefer you ________. (not to smoke / not smoking)

14. Jane suggested ________ her father for his opinion. (to ask / asking)

15. Should you require my assistance, Dr Howlett, please don't hesitate _________. (to ask / asking)

16. Jill couldn't resist ________ at him in those clothes. (to laugh / laughing)

17. I can't afford ______ tonight. (to go out / going out)

18.You really should avoid him, he'll only try _________ money from you. (to borrow / borrowing)

19. I didn't fancy _________ in that water. (to swim / swimming)

20. I demand _______ what's going on. (to know / knowing)

21. Stephen was fond of traveling because he enjoyed _______ people and ______ new places. (to meet / meeting; to see / seeing)

22. She admitted _______ a mistake. (to make / making)

23. Evans advised him ________ London. (to leave / leaving)

24. Stop ________. You're giving me a headache. (to shout / shouting)

25. Have you finished _______ the article? (to read / reading)

26. I think we should discuss __________ for some kind of government help. (to apply / applying)

27. First you'll learn _______ this machine. (to use / using)

28. She is not likely _______ her promise. (to forget / forgetting)

29. The newspaper offered ________ for the article. (to apologise / apologising)

30. When I imagine ________ him again, I feel so happy. (to see / seeing)

31.You can't afford _______ the film. (to miss / missing)

32.You can't stop ________. (to laugh / laughing)

33. I consider ________ the children with me. (to take / taking)

34. She enjoys ________ tennis. (to play / playing)

35. I managed ________ the work in time. (to do / doing)

36. Why don't you stop _________? (to argue / arguing)

 

Exercise 6. Define the function of the gerund in the following sentences:

1.We really can't go on living like this – we'll have to find a bigger house. 2.Keep going, the lights are green. 3.Tom was drunk. It was dangerous riding with him. 4.Would you like parachuting? 5.After a short pause they continued climbing. 6.The book is worth reading. 7.My new job will mean traveling all over the world. 8.I enjoy taking a walk after dinner. 9.It's a pleasure arranging a surprise party for someone. 10.Marrying him was the biggest mistake she ever made. 11.I gave up going to the theatre when I moved out of London. 12.I started working here in 1991. 13.Do you feel like going out? 14.Don't even think about calling him. 15.Do you mind changing places? 16.Being a parent isn't easy, as I know from experience. 17.My new job will mean traveling all over the world. 18.Having dinner in the garden is possible if the weather is fine.

 

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 3376

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