2.2 Forms of Gerund
2.2.1 The simple gerund 1
Subject of verb
The subject in gerund sentence usually located in the beginning of the sentences. Gerund is used as the subject of a sentences on its basis have the
following characteristic: 1
Verb + ing 2
In front of the predicate 3
The subject of the sentences 4
It has the meaning of an object that is the subject of the sentences
Example:
a
Running in the morning is good for health.
b
Swimming is a good and cheap sport.
c
Playing golf is an expensive sport.
d
Collecting stamps is one of my little sister’s hobbies.
e
Smoking cigar is not good for health. 5
Object of verb
The gerund can be the object of a verb. The form of an object in a gerund phrase may depend on what precedes the gerund. Gerund is used as the object of a
sentences has the following characteristics :
1 It is behind a predicate.
2 It functions as an object that describes the predicate of sentences.
3 It has the meaning of anoun which is the object of the sentences.
Example:
a
My father likes hunting in the forest.
b
My mother dislike keeping pet animals.
c
We enjoy living in this city very much.
d
My elder sister loves playing guitar.
Certain verbs in English are followed by verbals – either gerunds or infinitives – which are considered as the objects of these verbs. The gerund -ing
form and the infinitive to + base form of verbs may be used as nouns, and therefore they sometimes function as the object of a verb. In idiomatic English,
certain verbs are followed only by the gerund, certain verbs by the infinitive, and certain verbs by either the gerund or the infinitive. The following is a reference
list of some common verbs. Here are verbs can followed by gerund.
1. admit
23. Forget 45. Risk
The examples of verbs followed by gerunds object
2. advise
24. Imagine 46. Start
3. allow
25. Hate 47. Stop
4. anticipate
26. Keep 48. Suggest
5. appreciate
27. Like 49. Support
6. avoid
28. Love 50. Tolerate
7. begin
29. Mention 51. Try
8. can’t bear
30. Mind 52. Understand
9. can’t help
31. Miss 10.
can’t stand 32. Neglect
11. celebrate
33. Postpone 12.
complete 34. practice
13. consider
35. Prefer 14.
delay 36. Prevent
15. deny
37. Prohibit 16.
deserve 38. Quit
17. detest
39. Recall 18.
discuss 40. Recommend
19. Dislike
41. Regret 20.
Enjoy 42. Remember
21. Escape
43. Resent 22.
Finish 44. Resist
1 May be followed by a gerund or an infinitive : without a change in meaning
with a change in meaning. 2
May be followed by an object : + and infinitive. He advise us to go to college ++ and a gerund. She appreciates your helping.
3 May be followed by a that-clause.
Examples : Subjunctive verb
a
He admitted stealing my little sister’s money
b
He avoid answering ourteacher’s questions.
c
The committee delayed making a decision.
d
My father has stopped smoking.
e
Jack suggested going to the beach.
f
He has finished typing the report.
g
He mentioned meeting the governer at the reception. 1
Object of a preposition
Any verb used as the object in a prepositional takes the form of a gerund. Most gerund after prepositions are subjects, especially those in adverbial
prepositional.
Example:
a
I dream about having much money.’
b
I am tired of studying alone.
c
She is fond of eating pizza.
d
I am interested in making model airplanes
e
We will not be successful without working seriously every time. f
I am bored with swimming.
g
I am tired of waiting in the airport
Object of a preposition consist of two parts :
1 Nominal function of prepositional gerund
Any verb used as the object in a prepositional phrase takes the form of a gerund. Most gerund phrases after prepositions are subjectless, especially those in
adverbial prepositional phrases. Such gerund phrases function as prepositional objects of verb. A great many of the verbs listed under prepositional objects in the
chapter on prepositions take such gerund objects.
Example:
a
He insisted on paying the entire bill for dinner.
b
She often dreams about having a lot of money to spend on luxuries.
The word “to” after the following verbs is a preposition rather than the sign of the infinitive and therefore requires a gerund after it: accustom oneself, allude,
confess, confine oneself, dedicate oneself, limit oneself, look forward, object, plead guilty, reconcile oneself, resign oneself, resort, and revert.
a
He objected to their entering the factory without permission.
b
We look forward to seeing you again. 2
Adjectival function of prepositional gerund These adjectival constructions appearing after nouns begin mostly with of or for.
There are two main types :
a Those prepositional gerund phrase that follow nouns from verbs or adjectives.
Example:
a
His pretense of being rich didn’t fool anyone.
b
Their preparations for travelling abroad were very time-consuming.
c
He spoke of the necessity of hiring more men. b
Those prepotional gerund phrase appearing after nouns that are
nonderivational. Such as adjectival constructions are mostly adjective clause equivalents. These phrases are sometimes interpreted as appositives to the
nouns that precede them. Example:
a The money for travelling around the country =with which they could travel
around the country was soon used up.
b This is not a good way of doing it =in which you can do it
c The time for making excuses =in which you can make excuses is past.
Other prepositions introducing gerund phrases after adjectives are : a
About Example :
Pat is angry about walking in the rain. b
For Example :
Sandy is famous for singing songs. c
At Example:
He is clever at skateboarding.
d Of
Example: Thet are afraid of losing the match.
e By
Example : I was annoyed by the dog’s barking all night.
2 Subjective Complement
Subjective Complement as a predicate noun.
Example :
a
Nina’s hobby is cooking.
b
Deni’s favourite sport is fishing. 3
Appositive
The function of appositive is to give explaining about the information in the gerund sentences.
Example :
a
Her husband insists on one thing, her cleaning the house ever day.
b
My hobby is swimming, it is not too expensive.
c
I do not like quarelling, a useless job. 2.2.2 The Gerund Phrase’
Agerund phrase is made up of a gerund and all words that can modify it. The words or phrase that can modify a gerund are an adjevtive, adverb, and a
prepositional phrase, plus it can have a direct object.
Example : 1
The course’s goal is providing students with knowledge of basic math.
The gerund phrase is providing students and is used as the predicate noun in the sentences. The gerund is providing and the direct object of that gerund is
inproviding whom? students. The prepositional phrase with knowledge
modifies providing and the prepositional phrase of basic math modifies
2 Frequently asking for funds may hinder receiving them.
knowledge.
a The first gerund phrase is frequently asking for funds.The gerund is asking.
Frequently answer, when? , and thus is an adverb, modifying the gerund, asking. For funds is an adverb prepositional phrase answering the question,
why, asking? b
There is a second gerund phrase in this sentence. It is This entire phrase is the subject of the sentence.
receiving them. This whole phrase is the direct object in the sentence, answering the question, “may
hinder what?” …receiving funds. Receiving is the gerund and funds is the direct object of the gerund. Receiving what?...funds
2.3 The patterns of Gerund