Ellis explains that ―by comparing the two sentences we can see that Jean has used ‗was‘ instead of ‗were‘—an error in subject-verb agreement.‖
24
Gas and Selinker also have opinion that ―there are a number of steps taken to conduct error analysis:
a. Data need to be collected. Although this is typically done with written
data, oral data can also serve as a base. b.
Identify error. What is the error e.g., incorrect sequence of tenses, wrong verb form, singular verb form with plural subject?
c. Clarify error. Does an error of agreement occur? How many irregular
verb form errors occur? d.
Analysis of source. See later discussion. e.
Remediation. Based on the kind and frequency of an error type, pedagogical intervention is carried out.
‖
25
Based on some explanations above, the writer decides to use the procedures of error analysis from Muriel. They are collecting the result of test, identifying the
errors from the test, describing the error in category, and explaining the reason why the learner makes some errors.
C. Verb-ing form
1. Definition
Michael Swan states in his book that ―when verb-ing forms are used as
verbs, adjectives, or adverbs, they are often called as present participle. When they are used as nouns, they are often called as gerunds. But, Swan stated that the
distinction is not as simple as said. Therefore, some grammarians tend to avoid the terms ‗participle‘ and ‗gerund‘.‖
26
Compare:
You’re smoking too much these days. part of present progressive verb There was a smoking cigarette end in the ashtray. adjective describing
cigarette end
She walked out of the room smoking. similar to an adverb Smoking
is bad for you. noun: subject of sentence
24
Ibid.
25
Susan M. Grass and Larry Selinker, op.cit, p.79
26
Michael Swan, Practical English Usage, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995, p. 277
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.
31
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
When there is a noun which has similar meaning to a verb-ing form, the noun is usually preferred.
32
Example:
We’re all excited about his arrival. NOT … about his arriving g.
After verbs 1.
Verb that can be followed by verb-ing forms
After some verbs, verb-ing form can be used, but not usually an infinitive.
33
Examples:
I enjoy travelling. NOT I enjoy to travel. He’s finished mending the car. NOT He’s finished to mend.
She’s given up smoking. NOT …given up to smoke.
The doctor suggested taking a long holiday. NOT The doctor suggested
me to take
…
32
Ibid.
33
Ibid.
Some common verbs that are usually followed by verb-ing forms:
admit dislike
give up postpone
appropriate endure
can’t help practice
avoid enjoy
imagine put off
burst out escape
involve resent
cryinglaughing excuse keep on
resist consider
face leave off
risk contemplate
fancy mention
can’t stand delay
feel like mind
suggest deny
finish miss
understand detest
forgive
2. Verb + object + verb-ing form
Some of the verbs listed above, and some others, can be
followed by object + verb-ing form.
34
Examples:
I dislike people telling me what to think. I can’t imagine him working in an office.
Nobody can stop him doing what he wants to. Would you rather spend time gardening or spend money paying
somebody to do it for you?
Did you see her talking to the postman? Stop in informal style and prevent are often followed by object
+ from + verb-ing form. Example:
Try to stopprevent them from finding out.
34
Ibid., p. 280
Note that after many verbs possessive + verb-ing form is usually used, instead of object + verb-ing form, especially in a
formal style.
3. Verb-ing form with passive meaning