Gerunds are usually preceded by the the same types of advebs as those that precede finite verbs – usually manner or frequency advebs.
b. Adverbs Changed to Adjective Form
In gerund phrases, adverbs from simple sentences are often transformed to adjectives that precede the gerund.
Examples:
•
His wife was shocked at his reckless breaking of the law.
•
The company appreciated his discreet handling of the affair.
•
Her mother’s constant meddling in her affairs was a source of great annoyance to her.
It is this adjective – from – adverb form that is most common in the. . . – ing + of phrase construction.
Examples:
•
The constant dripping of the water irritated her.
•
The unexpected closing of the hotel left the tourist with no palce to stay.
The use of such an adjective – from – adverb reinforces the nominal effect of the gerund phrase. The negative adjective no is used instead of the
adverb not with certain types of gerund phrases.
a. After there + a form of be Examples:
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•
There is no stopping him.
•
There is no denying that she is very efficient. b. Prohibitions againts certain activities
Examples:
•
No smoking is allowed in this classroom.
•
No trespassing on these premises will be permitted.
2.2.4 Gerund Phrases as Subjects of Verbs
A gerund phrase does not occur frequently as a subject. One of its common uses as a subject is in general statements with be as the main verb.
Examples:
•
Eating a good breakfast is very wise.
•
Taking a long walk every day is good execise. The gerund phrase may also function as the subject of a verb expressing:
1. Cause – effect relationship Examples:
•
Seeing her every day made him realize how wonderful she was.
•
His finding the error quickly saved him = caused him to save many hours of extra work.
A gerund phrase subject with such a verb may have conditional meaning.
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Example:
•
Doing such a thing now = if you do such a thing now, it will cause you much trouble later on.
2. Emotion Examples:
•
Being overcharged for anything enrages her.
•
Seeing her so thin and pale shocked him.
It sould be noted that such verbs of emotion often also denote some degree of cause : thus enrages her, shocked him in the above sentences may be
interpreted as causes her to become enraged, caused him to be shocked.
Gerund phrases may also function as subjects of passive verbs. Examples:
•
His keeping accurate records has never been quistioned.
•
Their accepting the money will be considered unwise.
A gerund phrase subject sometimes appears after anticipatory it + an adjective. Such a construction usually informal usage.
Examples:
•
It’s very embarrasing , not remembering your name.
•
It’s incredible , meeting an old schoolmate so far from home.
•
It’s not worthwhile taking that trip for only one day.
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A comma is required if the subject is included in the gerund phrase – It’s strange, his doing that. Sometimes a noun is used rather than an adjective in this
construction after anticipatory it.
Examples:
•
It will be a sad thing, not seeing her anymore.
•
It’s been a pleasure meeting you.
•
It’s no use or no good crying over spilled milk.
No use and no need may also be preced by expletive there – there’s no use or no need crying over spilled milk.
Gerund phrase subjects after anticipatory it often have alternate forms with infinitive phrases.
Examples:
• It’s very embarrassing not to remember your name.
• It’s been a pleasure to meet you.
• It’s no use to cry over spilled milk.
2.2.5 Gerund Phrases as Objects of Verb
Certain verbs in English are followed by verbals – either gerunds or infinitives – which are considerd as the objects of these verbs. Most of these verbs
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denote mental activity or indirect speech and therefore require subjects that refere to human beings. Other have little semantic content outside of indicating aspect –
the beginning, duration, end or repetition of anaction ; these verbs may or may not be used with subjects denoting persons. There is less agreement that a verbal
following one of these aspects – denoting verbs is its objects ; actually, there is some justification for considering a verb that expresses aspect as a quasy –
auxiliary rather than as a verb that takes an object.
Verbs Followed by Gerund Objects
1. Acknowledge
21. Facilitate 41. Relinguish
2. Admit
22. Fancy = imagine 42. Relish
3. Advocate
23. Finish 43. Renounce
4. Anticipate
24. Give up = stop 44. Report
5. Appreciat
25. be Grudge 45. Resent
6. Avoid
26. Imagine 46. Resist
7. Can not help
27. Involve 47. Risk
8. Consider
28. Justify 48. Sanction
9. Contemplate
29. Keep 49. Shirk
10. Defer
30. Keep on 50. Stop
11. Delay
31. Leave off 51. Suggest
12. Deny
32. Mean 52. Tolerate
13. Detest
33. Mention 53. Try
14. Disclaim
34. Miss 54. Understand
15. Drop = stop
35. Necessitate 55. Urge
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16. Encourage
36. Postpone 56. Withhold
17. Enjoy
37. Practice 18.
Entail 38. Put off
19. Escape
39. Quit stop, informal 20.
Evade 40. Recommend
These verbs can also have subjects that do not designate human beings. These verbs usually have subjects that denote lifeless things.
Examples:
•
We have considered selling our home.
•
He mentioned meeting the governor at the reception.
•
I can not tolerate his constant complaining about everything.
Some verbs on this list, because of their semantic nature, can not refer to
events happening in the past – for example : avoid, defer, give up, miss, risk, urge. After such verbs only the – ing gerund is used.
Examples:
•
He risked losing the money.
•
He missed being teased by his younger sister.
Verbs Followed by Gerund or Infinitive Objects
1. Abhor
8. Continue
2. Attempt
9. Decline
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3. Begin
10. Disdain
4. Can not bear
11. Dread
5. Can not stand
12. Endure
6. Cease
13. Hate
7. Commence
14. Hesitate
8. Intend
15. Propose
9. dis like
16. Regret
10. Love
17. Remember
11. Neglect
18. Scorn
12. Plan
19. Start
13. Prefer
20. Try These verbs may also have subjects which do not designate human beings.
After these verbs, the gerund represents past time ; the infinitive represents future time.
Examples:
•
I remember taking care of that matter. past time
• I must remember to take of that matter. future time
•
He began attending classes regularly.
• He began to attend classes regularly.
•
I intend doing that tomorrow.
• I intend to do that tomorrow.
•
You mustn’t neglect making the reservation right away.
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• You mustn’t neglect to make the reservation right away.
Try – a gerund has the special meaning of make an experiment with – try going to bed earlier ; you’ll feel better. In this sense the infinitive may also be
used. Try meaning make an attempt to requires the infinitive.
Example:
•
He is trying to enter a good university.
After a noun – human subject, need and want in the sense of require will
take an – ing gerund – this lamp needs repairing. such a gerund may alternate with a passive infinitive—this lamp needs to be repaired .
2.2.6 Gerund Phrases as Objects of Preposition
Any verbs 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.
1. Nominal Function of Prepositional Gerund Phrases
Such gerund phrases function as prepositional objects of verbs. A great many of the verbs listed under prepositional objects in the chapter on prepositions
take such gerund objects.
Examples:
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•
He insisted on paying the entire bill for dinner.
•
She often dreams about having a lot of money to spend on
luxuries.
Some verbs are followed by either gerund phrase prepositional objects or infinitive phrase objects:
a. agree in or on going, agree to go
b. care about going, care to go
c. caution someone againts going, caution someone to go opposite
meanings d.
decide on going, decide to go e.
forget about going, forget to go f.
grieve or rejoice, exult at going, grieve or rejoice, exult to go g.
help someone in going, help someone to go h.
plan on going, plan to go i.
serve for going, serve to go j.
suffice for going, suffice to go k.
warn someone againts going, warn someone to go opposite meanings
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, revert. Examples:
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•
He objected to their entering the factory without the permission.
•
We look forward to seeing you again. 2. Adjectival Function of Prepositional Gerund Phrases
These adjectival constructions appearing after nouns begin mostly with
of or for. There are two main types: a. Those prepositional gerund phrases that follow nouns derived
from verbs or adjectives. Examples:
•
His pretense of being rich didn’t fool anyone.
•
Their preparations for traveling abroad were very time – consuming.
•
He spoke of the necessity of hiring more men. b. Those prepositional gerund phrases appearing after nouns that are
nonderivational. Such adjectival constructions are mostly adjective clause equivalents.
Examples:
•
The money for traveling around the country = with which they could travel around the country was soon used up.
•
This is not a good way of doing it = in which you can do it .
•
The time for making excuses = in which you can make excuses is past.
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Both types of prepositional gerund phrases may have alternate infinitive forms.
Examples:
• He spoke of the necessity to hire more men.
• This is not a good way to do it.
• The time to make excuses is past.
3. Adverbial Function of Prepositional Gerunf Phrases a. Prepositional gerund phrases modifying verbs
These phrases may express almost all adverbial relationships except place.
Examples:
•
After listening to the news, she started to prepare dinner.
•
He earned the money for his tuition by working as a waiter during
the summer months. •
I passed him in the street without his recognizing me.
•
In spite of traveling alone, she enjoyed her vacation very much.
A prepositional gerund phrase may appear in all three adverbial positions, but most frequently in initial or final position. In initial position the
“subject” of the phrase is rarely expressed, since it is understood as the subject of the sentence. If the agent of an introductory gerund phrase is other than the subject
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of the sentence, the phrase is considerd an unacceptable “dangling” element – on looking out the window, a beautiful scene met his eyes.
b. Prepositional gerund phrases modifying adjectives
At introduces most prepositional gerund phrases after adjectives, especially – ed participial adjectives.
Examples:
•
He was embarrassed at hearing himself praised.
•
I’m disappointed at your doing such a thing.
•
He’s very quick at adding figures. Other prepositions introducing gerund phrases after adjectives
are :
a. About
Example : He’s very careless about keeping appointments.
b. For
Example : Their by funds are adequate for meeting their moderate
needs. c. Of
Example : He’s afraid of displeasing his parents.
d. With
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Example : They must be content with seeing each other at infrequent
interval. e.
By
Example : I was annoyed by the dog’s barking all night..
Many of these prepositional gerund phrases after adjectives have
alternate forms with infinitive phrase or that clauses . 1. Infinitive phrases
Examples:
•
He was embarrassed to hear himself praised.
•
He’s afraid to displease his parents. 2. That clauses
Examples:
• He was ebarrassed that people were praising him.
• He’s afraid that he will displease his parents.
The word to after some adjectives , especially certain –ed participal
adjectives, is a preposition rather than the sign of the infinitive and therefore
requires the gerund form as its object –accustomed , addicated , averse , dedicated , disposed , given , opposed , used .
Examples:
• I have never become accostumed or used to american food.
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• Some government officials are not averse to accepting bribes.
CHAPTER 3
THE USAGE OF ENGLISH GERUNDS IN THE ARTICLES OF THE JAKARTA POST NEWSPAPER
In the completing this paper, I collect the data from the articles of the Jakarta Post Newspaper to support my paper or as the samples to make the discussion
clearly and easy to understand.
3.1 The Data of the Usage of English Gerunds in the Articles of the Jakarta Post Newspaper