2. Used as Modifier
Swan also defines that ―verb-ing forms can be used as modifier before nouns. This happen with noun-like verb-ing forms gerunds and adjective-like
verb-ing forms participles. The two structures do not have similar meaning. ‖
27
Compare: -
a waiting room = a room for waiting
– waiting is a gerund, used rather like a noun
awaiting bus = a bus that is waiting
– waiting is a participle, used rather like an adjective
-
a sleeping pill sleeping is a gerund
a sleeping child sleeping is participle
- a working
conditions gerund
a working men participle
3. Used Like Noun
a. Subject, object, or compliment
A verb-ing form can be used as a subject, object, or compliment of a verb as Swan states.
28
Example:
Smoking is bad for you. subject
I hate packing. object My favorite activity is reading. compliment
b. Verb-ing form with its own object
Swan also comments ―that the verb-ing form subject, object, and compliment is still a verb, so it can have its own object.
‖
29
Example:
Smoking cigarette is bad for you.
My favorite activity is reading poetry. I hate packing suitcase.
c. Determiners and possessive with verb-ing forms
27
Ibid., p. 278
28
Ibid.
29
Ibid.
These determinerssuch as the, my, this can be used with verb –ing
form.
30
For examples:
The opening of Parliament
Does my smoking annoy you? I don’t mind your going without me.
I hate all this useless arguing.
Possessive
’s forms are also possible. For examples: John’s going to sleep during the wedding was rather embarrassing.
She was angry at
Lina’s trying to lie to her.
Note that possessives and pronouns are not used before verb –ing
forms if it is already clear who is being talked about. Example:
Thank you for waiting. NOT Thank you for your waiting.
When a verb-ing form is used with an article, it cannot usually have a direct object but an of-structure. Example:
The smoking of cigarettes NOT the smoking cigarettes
NO is often used with a verb-ing form to indicate that something is not allowed, or is impossible. The structure often occurs alone in notices; it can
also follow there is.For examples: NO SMOKING NO PARKING
NO WAITING Sorry,
there’s no smoking in the waiting room. She’s made up her mind; there’s no arguing with her.
d. Object pronouns before verb-ing forms
It is more common to use object forms like me, John instead of possessives
my, John’s with verb-ing forms in an informal style, typically when these come after a verb or preposition.
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I don’t mind you going without me. She was angry at Lina trying to lie to her.
Some verbs e.g. see, hear, watch, feel are normally followed by
object+verb-ingform. For example:
30
Ibid.
31
Ibid., p. 279
I saw him getting out of the car. NOT I saw his getting. e.
It… -ing
It can be used as preparatory subject or object for a verb-ing form. Example:
It
’s nice being with you.
I thought it
pointless starting before eight o’clock. This is common with anyno good, anyno use and not worth.For
examples:
It ’s no good talking to him – he never listens.
Is it any use expecting them to be on time? I didn’t think it worth complaining about the meal.
Possessives or object pronouns can be used before the verb-ing forms in these structures. For example:
It’s no use hishim apologizing – I will never forgive him. NOT It’s no use he apologizing…
f. Nouns and verb-ing forms
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