The Gerund

THE GERUND.

 

The gerund developed from the verbal noun. The gerund is formed by adding the suffix - ing to the stem of the verb, and coincides in form with Participle I.

The double nature of the gerund.

As a natural result of its origin and development the gerund has nominal and verbal properties. The nominal characteristics of the gerund are as follows:

1. The gerund can perform the function of subject, object and predicative.

They say smoking leads to meditation.

I like making people happy.

2. The gerund can perform the function of an attribute then in most cases it is preceded by a preposition of ( sometimes for).

the method of doing job

the possibility of using

the operation of removing

3.The gerund can perform the function of an adverbial modifier, in this case it is always preceded by prepositions.

I am very, very tired of rowing.

Only after having applied force we could change the volume and the form of solid body.

In rewriting the letter she made several mistakes.

4. Like a noun the gerund can be modified by a noun in the possessive case or by a possessive pronoun.

“I wonder at Jolyon’s allowing this engagement,” he said to Aunt Ann.

Is there any objection to my seeing her?

The verbal characteristics of the gerund are the same as those of the participle:

1.The gerund of transitive verbs can take a direct object.

I had now made a good progress in understanding and speaking their language.

2.The gerund can be modified by an adverb.

She burst out crying bitterly.

3.The gerund has tense distinctions; the gerund of transitive verbs has also voice distinctions. The forms of the gerund in Modern English are as follows:

	Active	Passive
Indefinite Perfect	writing having written	being written having been written

 

There is no gerund in the Russian language and the English gerund is rendered in Russian in different ways:

1. by a noun.

  Dancing had not begun yet…

2. by an infinitive.

  She had tea with Cipriano before leaving.

3. by дієприкметник.

  And without waiting for her answer he turned and left us.

On seeing Bella he stopped, beckoned her to him, and drew her arm through his.

4. by a subordinate clause.

            He regretted now having come.

 

Verbs that are normally followed by the Gerund include admit, adore, anticipate, appreciate, avoid, can’t stand, carry on, consider, contemplate, delay, deny, describe, detest, dislike, enjoy, escape, fancy, feel, finish, give up, hear, imagine, include, justify, keep(on), listen to, mention, mind, miss, notice, observe, perceive, postpone, practise, quit, recall, report, resend, resume, risk, see, sense, stop, suggest, tolerate, watch.

 

     We postponed making any decisions.  

      I simply adore reading what you write.

      I detest going to the cinema.

      We heard whispering.

      His physician advised leaving home for a week.

      They denied having avoided me.

 

              

Verbs followed by a gerund or a to-infinitive.

 

    With little change in meaning

 

Begin, continue, start, hate, love prefer

 

With would, the verbs hate, like, love, prefer are usually followed by the to-infinitive.

    

I hate to work.  /  I hate working.

      I love to sleep.  /  I love sleeping.

      I would like to work there.

 

      

With a change in meaning

       

 

 

dread and hate

 

These two verbs are followed by a to-infinitive when talking hypothetically (usually when using  to think ), but by a gerund when talking about general dislikes.

         I dread/hate to think what she will do.

         I dread/hate seeing him.

 

forget and remember

 

When these have meanings which are used to talk about the future from the given time, the to-infinitive is used, but when looking back in time, the gerund.

            She forgot to tell me our plans. (She did not tell me, though she should have to.)

            She forgot telling me our plans. (She told me, but then forgot having done so.)

             I remember to go to work. (I remembered that I needed to go to work, and I did so.)

              I remembered going to work. (I remembered the action of previously going to work.)

 

can’t bear

 

I can’t bear to see you suffer like this. (You are suffering now.)

I can’t bear being pushed round in crowds. (I never like that.)

 

go on    

 

After winning the semi-finals, he went on to play in the fields. (He completed the semi-finals, then later played in the finals.)

He went on giggling, not having noticed the teacher enter. (He continued doing so.)

 

mean

 

I didn’t mean to scare you off!

Her having got a new job in the city meant leaving behind her familiar surroundings.

 

advise, recommend and forbid

 

These are followed by a to – infinitive when there is an object as well, but with a gerund otherwise.

 

The police advised us not to enter the building, for a murder had occurred. (us is the object)

The police advised against our entering the building.

 

regret

 

We regret to inform you that you have failed your exam. (a polite or formal form of apology)

I very much regret saying what I said. (I wish I hadn’t said that.)

 

consider, contemplate and recommend

 

These verbs are followed by a to – infinitive only in the passive or with an object pronoun.

 

People consider her to be the best. – She is considered to be the best.

I’m considering sleeping over, if you don’t mind.

 

try

 

When a to – infinitive is used, it means the subject makes an effort at; attempt or endeavor to do something. If a gerund is used, it means the subject attempts to do something in testing to see what might happen.

 

Please try to remember to post my letter.

I have tried being stern, but to no avail.