5.1  Definitions and Functions

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5.1.1  Gerunds 動名詞
A gerund is a verbal that ends in -ing and functions as a noun. The term verbal indicates that a gerund, like the other two kinds of verbals, is based on a verb and therefore expresses action or a state of being. However, since a gerund functions as a noun, it occupies some positions in a sentence that a noun ordinarily would, for example: subject, direct object, subject complement, and object of preposition.

5.1.2  Infinitives不定詞
An infinitive is a verbal in its basic form with or without the word to: therefore, do and to do, be and to be, and so on are infinitives. When the word to is absent, the infinitive is said to be a bare infinitive; when it is present, it is generally considered to be a part of the infinitive, known as the full infinitive (or to-infinitive). An infinitive functions either as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

The term verbal indicates that an infinitive, like the other two kinds of verbals, is based on a verb and therefore expresses action or a state of being. However, the infinitive may function as a subject, direct object, subject complement, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Although an infinitive is easy to locate because of the to + verb form, deciding what function it has in a sentence can sometimes be confusing.

5.1.3  Participles分詞
A participle is a verbal that most often ends in -ing or -ed, and functions as an adjective. The term verbal indicates that a participle, like the other two kinds of verbals, is based on a verb and therefore expresses action or a state of being. However, since they function as adjectives, participles modify nouns or pronouns.

There are two types of participles: present participles and past participles. Present participles end in -ing. Past participles end in -ed, -en, -d, -t, or -n, as in the words asked, eaten, saved, dealt, and seen.

5.2  Uses of Gerunds

5.2.1  Gerund as subject:

• Traveling might satisfy your desire for new experiences. (Traveling is the gerund.)

• The study abroad program might satisfy your desire for new experiences. (The gerund has been removed.)

• Smoking costs a lot of money. (Smoking is the gerund.)

• A yacht costs a lot of money. (The gerund has been removed.)

5.2.2  Gerund as direct object:

• They do not appreciate my singing. (The gerund is singing.)

• They do not appreciate my assistance. (The gerund has been removed.)

• I like writing. (The gerund is writing.)

• I like apples. (The gerund has been removed.)

5.2.3  Gerund as subject complement:

• My cat's favorite activity is sleeping. (The gerund is sleeping.)

• My cat's favorite food is salmon. (The gerund has been removed.)

• Jane’s favorite occupation is reading. (The gerund is reading.)

• Jane’s favorite singer is Lady Gaga. (The gerund has been removed.)

5.2.4  Gerund after preposition:
        There is a rule in English grammar that states that what follows a preposition
        must be a noun. So if we want to use a verb after a preposition, it must be a
        gerund. No exceptions! One cannot use an infinitive after a preposition.

(see also 5.4  To do or to doing?)

• The police arrested him for speeding. (The gerund is speeding.)

• The police arrested him for criminal activity. (The gerund has been removed.)

• Please have a drink before leaving. (The gerund is leaving.)

• Please have a drink before your departure. (The gerund has been removed.)

• I am looking forward to meeting you. (The gerund is meeting.)

• I am looking forward to our lunch. (The gerund has been removed.)

(Mok: An infinitive could also function as a noun, acting as the subject, direct object, or subject complement in a sentence. But somehow, it cannot be used after a preposition. Why? I need to find out the why later. Could it because there would be two prepositions together –the original preposition and the “to” of the infinitive?)

5.2.5  Gerund Phrases

A Gerund phrase is a group of words consisting of a gerund + the modifier(s) and/or noun(s), pronoun(s), or noun phrase(s) that function as the subject(s), direct object(s), indirect object(s), or complement(s) of the action or state expressed in the gerund, such as:

 

5.2.5.1  Gerund phrase as subject:

• Finding a needle in a haystack would be easier than what we're trying to do. 〔Finding (gerund) a needle (direct object of action expressed in gerund) in a haystack (prepositional phrase as adverb)〕.

• Smoking cigarettes costs a lot of money.
  〔Smoking (gerund) cigarettes (direct object of action expressed in gerund)〕.

5.2.5.2  Gerund phrase as direct object:

• I hope that you appreciate my offering you this opportunity.
  〔as direct object of the verb “appreciate”: my (possessive pronoun adjective form, modifying the gerund) offering (gerund) you (indirect object of action expressed in gerund) this opportunity (direct object of action expressed in gerund)〕.

• I don't like writing letters.
  〔writing (gerund) letters (direct object of action expressed in gerund)〕.

5.2.5.3  Gerund phrase as subject complement:

• Ellen's favorite tactic has been encouraging his clients.
  〔encouraging (gerund) his clients (direct object of action expressed in gerund)〕.

• My favorite occupation is reading detective stories.
  〔reading (gerund) detective stories (direct object of action expressed in gerund)〕.

5.2.5.4  Gerund phrase after preposition:

• You might get in trouble for faking an illness to avoid work.
  〔faking (gerund) an illness (direct object of action expressed in gerund) to avoid work (infinitive phrase as adverb)〕.

• I am looking forward to meeting your friend.
  〔meeting (gerund) your friend (direct object of action expressed in gerund)〕.

5.2.6  Gerunds after Certain Verbs

We sometimes use one verb after another verb with the same subject. In such cases, the second verb will have to change form, to either the infinitive form or the gerund form. For example,

• I want to eat.

• I dislike eating.

Whether the second verb should be in infinitive or gerund depends on the first verb. Here is a list of verbs that are usually followed by a verb in gerund form:

admit, advise, allow, anticipate, appreciate, avoid, can't help, carry on, confess, consider, defer, delay, deny, detest, dislike, endure, enjoy, escape, excuse, face, fancy, feel like, finish, forgive, give up, imagine, involve, justify, keep (on), leave off, mention, mind, miss, permit, postpone, practise, put off, quit, recommend, report, resent, resist, resume, risk, save, stand, suggest, tolerate, understand

Look at these examples:

• She is considering having a holiday. (She is considering a new job.)

• I can't help falling in love with you. (I can’t help myself.)

• I can't stand not seeing you. (I can’t stand the smell.)

Some verbs can be followed by the gerund form or the infinitive form without a big change in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start

• I like to play tennis.

• I like playing tennis.

• It started to rain.

• It started raining.

 5.2.7  Use of nouns vs use of gerunds

        In a sentence, if there is a place for a noun, and a noun can be used, then the noun should be used instead of the gerund. Eg.

• I am fond of study / not: I am fond of studying

• Flush the toilet after use / not: Flush the toilet after using