The Functions of the Gerund in the Sentence

The Gerund can be:

1. the subject of a sentence when an action is considered in a general sense. As a rule the Gerund as subject stands in front position except for sentences opening with introductory it (Br.E.) or there(Am.E.).

Talking mends no holes.

Learning rules without examples is difficult.

It’s foolish arguing over trifles.

There is no use talking like that to me.

2. the predicative. As predicative the gerund expresses either characterization or identity.

What he likes best in the world is travelling.

Deliberating is not delaying.

All I want is getting out of here.

Seeing is believing.

3. a) part of a compound verbal modal predicate with verbs and verbal phrases expressing modality:

We intend going there in summer.

He couldn’t help admiring the man.

I can’t help thinking that I’ve seen you before.

I can’t stand her grumbling.

*But we use: I can’t wait to do…, I can’t afford to do…

I can’t wait to see the photos you took.

I can’t afford to buy this car.

a) part of a compound verbal aspect predicate with verbs denoting the beginning, the duration, or the end of the action such as

He kept looking behind.

He resumed working.

In the night it started raining.

4. a) direct object after the following verbs:

Do you mind my closing the door?

It’s nice to be with other people but sometimes I enjoy being alone.

I can’t find my book. I remember having put (putting) it on the table.

He admitted taking the money.

He resented having been criticized by the manager.

b) a prepositional object after

– the verbs with prepositions:

accuse approve complain dream hear inform think suspect	of	blame call praise for punish sentence thank	assist help in persist succeed	depend count on rely	prevent stop from refrain
agree contribute to object look forward	decide against warn
			force into

 

He insisted on being taken to the concert.

I hope you don’t object to our singing.

 

– after the adjectives and adjectivized participles with prepositions:

 

be afraid be aware be conscious be capable be in charge be fond of be ignorant be proud be sure be tired	be amazed be disappointed be pleased at be surprised be good	be absorbed be involved in be engaged
feel like look	be accustomed to be used
be responsible be sorry about for be keen on be surprised at be pleased (displeased) with

 

We are all proud of our citizen’s getting the first price.

We are engaged in discussing this problem.

5. an attribute. In this function it is used after the nouns with prepositions – of, for, in, about, at. The most common nouns are:

advantage disadvantage cause chance opportunity

fear feeling fact gift of idea intention way

decrease difficulty experience rise in fall skill harm

apology excuse for instrument reason objection obstacle to alternative surprise at irritation

He was born with the gift of winning hearts.

He felt irritation at being disturbed.

I saw no harm in asking a few questions.

6. an adverbial modifier of time, manner, attendant circumstances, condition, purposeandcause. In this function it is preceded by the prepositions: after, before, on (upon), since, by, in, without, at, for, through, instead of, in spite of, despite.

One day, on returning to his hotel, he found a note in his room.

You will achieve a lot by telling the truth.

They danced without speaking.

But for meeting Tom, I wouldn’t have become an English teacher.

 

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 1891