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THE GERUND
The gerund is a non-finite form of the verb with some noun features. It is formed by adding
the suffix-"ing" to the stem of the verb.

The gerund has the following verbal characteristics.

1) It has voice and tense distinctions:
Active Passive
Indefinite writing being written
Perfect having written having been written
The indefinite gerund expresses that the action denoted by the gerund is simultaneous with
the action of the finite form of the verb.
He tells (told, will tell) me of his writing a report.
She is very fond of being read too.

The indefinite gerund may also refer to the future when it depends on such verbs as: to
intend, to insist, to object, to suggest, to look forward to, to rely on.
I intend going there tomorrow.
We are looking forward to visiting new places.
I rely on his doing it properly.

The same occurs after noun suggesting futurity such as plan, intention, hope, prospect.
There is some hope of catching the last train.

The perfect gerund indicates that the action of the gerund precedes the action of the finite
verb in the sentence.
Гт surprised at his having done it.
I regret (regretted, will always regret) having uttered these words.

The indefinite gerund is commonly used instead of the perfect gerund after the prepositions
"on (upon)", "after", "before", and "without" because the meaning of the preposition itself
indicates that the action of the gerund precedes that of the finite verb.
On reaching the end of the street we turned towards the river.
After walking about ten yards he met them

The indefinite gerund is generally used after the verbs of recollection, gratitude,
blame, reproach, punishment: to remember, to forget, to thank, to recollect, to excuse,
to forgive, to reproach, to blame, to punish.
Thank you for helping me.
I’ll never forget taking this exam.

Note: but the perfect gerund may also be used after the above mentioned prepositions and
the verbs.
After having answered my question he left.
Suddenly he remembered having heard the name before.

2) The gerund of transitive verbs has voice distinctions: active and passive.
The use of the perfect passive gerund is very rare.
The active gerund points out that the action is directed from the subject, whereas the passive
gerund indicates that the action is directed towards the subject.
I hate interrupting people. -I hate being interrupted.
I'm not used to talking in that way. - I'm not used to being talked to in that way.
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There are some verbs (to want, to need, to require, to deserve) and the adjective "worth"
which are followed by an active gerund with passive meaning.
Your hair needs cutting.
She deserves punishing.
Your shoes require repairing.
The film is worth seeing.

The gerund may be modified by an adverb.

I was surprised at his speaking English so fluently.
He objected to going there immediately.

3) The gerund of a transitive verb takes a direct object.

I walked down the stairs instead of taking the elevator.
The boy has made progress in reading and speaking English.

The gerund has the following noun characteristics:

1) The gerund may be used in the functions of the subject, a direct or prepositional object,
a predicative:
(subject) Reading aloud is dying out these days.
(direct object) Avoid using very long sentences.
(prepositional object) We all agree to your opening the meeting.
(predicative,) The best thing is going there at once.
2)The gerund may be preceded by a preposition.
She entered without knocking.
I'm very tired of working.
3) The gerund may be modified by a possessive pronoun or by a noun in
the possessive case.
Is there any objection to my seeing her?
I insisted on Mary's going there alone.

Syntactical Functions of the Gerund in the Sentence.

In most cases the gerund is used with some words attached to it forming a gerundial phrase.
The gerundial phrase forms syntactically one member of the sentence. The gerund is used:
1) as a subject
Your being here means so much more than just pleasure.
Getting angry would not help the matters.
The subject expressed by a gerund may follow the predicate in sentences with the introductory
"there" or "it".
American: There is no use ...
British: It's no use ...
It's no good...
It's useless ...
It's worth (while)...
There was no avoiding him now.
It is no use doing it.
It's worth while doing it.

2) as a predicative
Her job is looking after the children.

3) as part of a compound verbal aspect predicate: after finite verbs denoting the beginning,
continuation, end, or repetition of the action expressed by the gerund such as: to begin, to start, to go
on, to give up, to be keen on, to burst out.
Shе went on talking.
She continued reading.
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4) as a direct object
a) to verbs used only with the gerund, such as: to avoid, to delay, to want (=to need), to require,
to fancy, to put off, to mind (negative and interrogative forms), to excuse.
Avoid making mistakes.
The grass wants (needs) cutting.
We didn't mind waiting.
b) to the adjectives like, busy, worth.
She is busy doing her task.
The facts are worth mentioning.
c) to the verbs that can be used with the gerund and the infinitive, such as: to like, to prefer, to
hate, to intend, to enjoy, to forget, to remember, can't bear.
He enjoyed looking at her.
I intend going (to go) to the South.
I forget doing it

5) as a prepositional object
a) to such verbs as: to think of, to object to, to apologize for, to prevent from, to insist on, to
thank for, to forgive for, to devote to, to assist in.
I thought of going to see my friend.
Thank you for coming.
We insisted on calling the doctor.
I apologize for disturbing you.
b) to such adjectives and participles II as: proud of, fond of, capable of, afraid of, tired of,
used to, good at.
I'm tired of thinking about it.
She is capable of taking care of herself
She is very good at singing.

6) as an attribute to such nouns as chance, idea, way, habit, method, custom, opportunity,
pleasure, hope, possibility, fear, intention, right, problem, means, art.
After these nouns preposition "of" is generally used.
This is a good way of using the book.
I had a good opportunity of seeing my friends.
I didn't get a chance of speaking to him.
After the following nouns the prepositions "for, in, at, about, to" may be used.

IN
difficulty in
harm in
hesitation in
sense in
skill in

FOR
capacity for
excuse for
gift for
reason for
talent for

AT TO
pleasure at objection to
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amazement at preparation to
surprise at

He had difficulty in speaking. Imagine his surprise at seeing me. .

7) as an adverbial modifier

a) of time (after, before, on, upon, since, at, in)

In this function the gerund may express an action prior or posterior to the action of the
main verb, or an action simultaneous with that of the main verb.
She hesitated before entering the room.
On returning home he found note in his room.

b) of manner (by, without)

I did it without thinking.
You'll achieve a lot by telling the truth.

c) of attending circumstances
They danced without speaking.
I never see asters without remembering her.

d) of cause (because of, for, from, owing to, for fear of)
I couldn't speak for laughing.
He said it for fear of losing her again.

e) of concession (in spite of)

In spite of being disturbed late at night, he fell asleep again.
f) of condition (but for, in case of, without)
But for meeting her, I shouldn't have become an English teacher.
In case of being questioned he should tell the truth.
I found that besides being a pianist he was a good composer.

COMPLEXWITHTHEGERUND

The gerund modified by a possessive pronoun or a noun in the possessive case forms a
gerundial complex. The relation between the nominal and verbal parts of the complex is that
of secondary subject and secondary predicate.
I insist on Mary's (her) going there.
Mary's (her) going - is a gerundial complex.

Such constructions may have the function of:

1) a subject
Your going there won't help much.

2) a predicative
The most awful thing was my going there.

3) an object
Do you mind my opening the window?
He'll insist on Tom's coming some other time.
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4) an attribute
I don't like the idea of our living here.

5) an adverbial modifier
If the noun which precedes the gerund cannot be used in the possessive case the common
case is used.
I knew nothing about the window being open.

In Modern English there is a tendency to use the common case with nouns and the objective
case of personal pronouns.
Do you mind him opening the window.

The ing-form when preceded by a noun in the objective case has a pronoun in the objective
case has a function intermediate between that of the present participle and the gerund. Such an
ing-form may be called a half-gerund.
I rely on him (John) doing it in time.

THEGERUNDANDTHEVERBALNOUN
In English besides the gerund which is half-verb, half-noun, there is a pure verbal noun
ending in -ing.
The main points of difference between the gerund and the verbal noun are as follows:
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Verbal Noun
1) has only a
nominal
character
Gerund
1)has a 2) may be
double character- used in the
nominal and plural
verbal All these
1)has no comings and
plural form goings
disturb me.
3) has neither
3) has tense tense nor voice
and voice forms forms
4) may have
4) has no an article
article She gave the
room a good
sweeping.
5) may be 5) may be
modified by an modified by an
adverb Writing adjective
quickly tires by Where a
hand. quick thinking
was required he
was the first.
6) may have 6) may
a direst object have a
We should prepositional
avoid injuring the object (of)
feelings of The reading
others. of the book took
him two hours.
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THE GERUND AND THE INFINITIVE COMPARED

1) with the verbs expressing feelings and attitudes (to like, to love, to
prefer, to hate...) the gerund expresses a more general or a habitual
action than the infinitive.
I hate interrupting people.
I hate to interrupt you, but I have to.

2) when the verbs to remember, to forget, to regret are followed by the

gerund, priority is expressed and the infinitive expresses a future or
simultaneous action.
I remember going to visit her.
I remember to do this exercise.

3) after "to stop" the gerund is used when it suggests the end of the action
denoted by the gerund; the infinitive is used as an adverbial modifier
of purpose.
Stop smoking!
He stopped to talk to his friend.

4) when the gerund is used after the verbs to deserve, to require, to need,
to want (=to need) it has a passive meaning. When the infinitive is used after "need" active
meaning is expressed.
The grass needs cutting.
I need to clear my mind.

5) to go on + gerund suggests the continuation of the action denoted by

the gerund and forms part of compound verbal predicate; the infinitive points out a new stage
in the sequence of actions.
I wouldn't go on thinking about it.
He welcomed the new pupils and went on to explain the school regulations.

6) to try + gerund expresses the idea of experiment

I can't unlock the door.
Try turning the key the other way. (Make the experiment and see what happens).
To try + infinitive expresses the idea of possibility or impossibility.
Try to learn this long poem.

7) used to + infinitive expresses a past habit.

I used to go there when I was a child.
to be/become/get + gerund means to be/become/get accustomed.
I'm used to living in a hot climate.

8) to be afraid of+ gerund expresses an action which the subject fears may happen.
She didn 't tell him because she was afraid of upsetting him.
to be afraid + infinitive means that the subject is/was too frightened to perform the action.
She was afraid to protest (so she kept quiet).

9) "to agree" takes the infinitive.

Tom agreed to wait a week, but Bill refused to wait another day.
To agree to +possessive pronoun+gerund
He agreed to my leaving early on Friday.
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