A. Gerunds : Introduction a. Playing tennis is fund. S V b. We enjoy playing tennis. S V O c. He’s excited about playing tennis. Prep O A gerund is the “ing” form of a verb used as a noun. A gerund is used in the same ways as a noun, i.e., as a subject, or as an object. In “a”: playing is a gerund. It is used as the subject of the sentence. Playing tennis is a gerund phrase. In “b”: playing is a gerund used as the object of the verb “enjoy” In “c”: playing is a gerund used as the object: of the preposition “about” • Compare the uses of the “ing” form of the verbs: 1. Walking is good exercise. walking = a gerund used as the subject of the sentence. 2. Bob and Ann are playing tennis. playing = a present participle used as part of the present progressive tense. 3. I heard some surprising news. surprising = a present participle used as an adjective. I. Gerunds are used as the objects of prepositions I.1. Explanation a. We talked about going to Canada for our vacation. b. Sue is in charge of organizing the meeting. c. I’m interested in learning more about your work. A gerund is frequently used as the object of a preposition. d. I’m used to sleeping with the window open. e. I’m accustomed to sleeping with the window open. f. I look forward to going home next month. g. They object to changing their plans at this late date. In “d” through “g”: “to” is a preposition, not part of infinitive form, so a gerund follows. h. We talked about not going to the meeting, but finally decided we should go. Negative form: “not” precedes a gerund.
Gerunds GERUNDS A Gerunds : Introduction a Playing tennis is fund S V b We enjoy playing tennis S V O c He’s excited about playing tennis Prep O A gerund is the “-ing” form of a verb used as a noun A gerund is used in the same ways as a noun, i.e., as a subject, or as an object In “a”: playing is a gerund It is used as the subject of the sentence Playing tennis is a gerund phrase In “b”: playing is a gerund used as the object of the verb “enjoy” In “c”: playing is a gerund used as the object: of the preposition “about” • Compare the uses of the “-ing” form of the verbs: Walking is good exercise →walking = a gerund used as the subject of the sentence Bob and Ann are playing tennis → playing = a present participle used as part of the present progressive tense I heard some surprising news →surprising = a present participle used as an adjective I Gerunds are used as the objects of prepositions I.1 Explanation a We talked about going to Canada for our vacation A gerund is frequently used as the object of a b Sue is in charge of organizing the meeting preposition c I’m interested in learning more about your work d I’m used to sleeping with the window open In “d” through “g”: “to” is a preposition, not e I’m accustomed to sleeping with the window open part of infinitive form, so a gerund follows f I look forward to going home next month g They object to changing their plans at this late date h We talked about not going to the meeting, but Negative form: “not” precedes a gerund finally decided we should go I.2 Common preposition combinations followed by gerunds be excited about doing it keep (someone) from doing it insist on doing it be worried prevent (someone) about/of doing it prohibit (someone) be accustomed to doing it complain stop (someone) in addition dream be committed talk believe in doing it be devoted think be interested look forward participate object apologize for doing it succeed be opposed blame (someone) be used forgive (someone) be accused of doing it have an excuse be capable be responsible for the purpose thank (someone) be guilty instead take advantage take care be tired II Gerunds are used as the objects of certain verbs II Explanation a I enjoy playing tennis Gerunds are used as the objects of certain verbs In “a”, “enjoy” is followed verb + gerund by a gerund Enjoy is not followed by an infinitive b Joe quit smoking c Joe gave up smoking II.2 VERB + GERUND “b” and “c” have the same meaning Some phrasal verbs are followed by gerunds Gerunds admit He admitted stealing the money advise* She advised waiting until tomorrow anticipate I anticipate having a good time on vacation appreciate I appreciated hearing from them avoid He avoided answering my question * can’t bear I can’t bear waiting in long lines * begin It began raining complete I finally completed writing my term paper consider I will consider going with you * 10 continue He continued speaking 11 delay He delayed leaving for school 12 deny She denied committing the crime 13 discuss They discussed opening a new business 14 dislike I dislike driving long distances 15 enjoy We enjoyed visiting them 16 finish (get through) She finished studying about ten 17 forget* I’ll never forget visiting Napoleon’s tomb 18 hate* I hate making silly mistakes 19 can’t help I can’t help worrying about it 20 keep (keep on) I keep hoping he will come 21 like* I like going to movies * 22 love I love going to operas 23 mention She mentioned going to a movie 24 mind Would you mind helping me with this? 25 miss I miss being with my family 26 postpone (put off) Let’s postpone leaving until tomorrow 27 practice The athlete practiced throwing the ball * 28 prefer Ann prefers walking to driving to work 29 quit (give up) He quit trying to solve the problem 30 recall I don’t recall meeting him before 31 recollect I don’t recollect meeting him before 32 recommend She recommended seeing the show * 33 regret I regret telling him my secret 34 remember* I can remember meeting him when I was a child 35 resent I resent her interfering in my business 36 resist I couldn’t resist eating the dessert 37 risk She risks losing all of her money * 38 can’t stand I can’t stand waiting in long lines * 39 start It started raining 40 stop She stopped going to classes when she got sick 41 suggest She suggested going to a movie 42 tolerate She won’t tolerate cheating during an examination 43 try* I tried changing the light bulb, but the lamp still didn’t work 44 understand I don’t understand his leaving school Verbs with a bullet (*) can also be followed by infinitives II.3 GO + GERUND a Did you go shopping? b We went fishing yesterday go birdwatching go boating go bowling go fishing go hiking go hunting “Go” is followed by a gerund in certain idiomatic expression to express for the most part, recreational activities 13 go sailing 18 go skinnydipping 14 go shopping 19 go sledding 15 go sightseeing 20 go snorkeling Gerunds go camping go canoeing go dancing 10 go jogging 16 go skateboarding 21 go swimming 11 go mountain 17 go skiing 22 go tobogganing climbing 23 go window 12 go running shopping III Special expressions followed by “ing” a We had fun playing - “ing” forms follow certain special We had a good time volleyball expressions: b I had trouble finding his I had difficulty house I had a hard time I had a difficult time c Sam spends most of his time studying spend + expression of time or money + -ing d I waste a lot of time watching TV waste + expression of time or money + -ing e She sat at her desk writing a letter sit + expression of place + -ing f I stood there wondering what to next stand + expression of place + -ing g He is lying in bed reading a novel lie + expression of place + -ing h When he walked into my office, I found find + (pro)noun + -ing George using my telephone catch + (pro)noun + -ing i When I walked into my office, I caught In “h” and “i”: Both find and catch mean a thief looking through my desk drawers “discover” Catch often expresses anger or displeasure IV Using a possessive to modify a gerund We came to class late Mr Lee complained about that fact In formal English, a possessive adjective a FORMAL: Mr Lee complained about our coming to class (e.g., our) is used to modify a gerund, as in late* (a) b INFORMAL: Mr Lee complained about us coming to In informal English, the object form of a class late pronoun (e.g., us) is frequently used, as in (b) c FORMAL: Mr Lee complained about Mary’s coming to In very formal English, a possessive noun class late (e.g, Mary’s) is used to modify a gerund d INFORMAL: Mr Lee complained about Mary coming to The possessive form is often not used in class late informal English, as in (d) V Using verbs of perception a I saw my friend run down the street Certain verbs of perception are followed by either b I saw my friend running down the street the simple form or the –ing form of a verb There is c I heard the rain fall on the roof often little difference in meaning between the two d I heard the rain falling on the roof forms, except that the “ing” form usually gives the idea of “while” In (b): I saw my friend while she was running down the street e When I walked into the apartment, I heard Sometime (not always) there is a clear difference my roommate singing in the shower between using the simple form or the “–ing” form f I heard my famous opera star sing at the The use of the “–ing” form gives the idea that an concert last night activity is already in progress when it is perceived, as in (e): The singing was in progress when I first heard it In (f) I heard the singing from the beginning to end It was not in progress when I first heard it VERBS OF PERCEPTION FOLLOWED BY THE SIMPLE FORM OR THE “ING” FORM see notice watch look at observe hear listen to feel smell Exercise Exercise Completing these sentences with an appropriate preposition and verb form Alice isn’t interested in (look) looking for a new job Henry is excited ……… (leave) ……… for India about/leaving You are capable ……… (do)……… better work of/doing I have no excuse ……… (be)……… late for/being Gerunds I’m accustomed……… (have)……… a big breakfast to/having The rain prevented us……… (complete)……… the work from/completing Fred id always complaining……… (have)……… a headache about/of/having Instead……… (study)……… , Margaret went to a ballgame with some of her friends of studying Thank you……… (help)……… me carry my suitcases for helping 10 Mrs Grant insisted……… (know)……… the whole truth on knowing 11 I believe……… (be)……… honest at all times in being 12 You should take advantage……… (live)……… here of living 13 Fatima had a good reason……… (go, not)……… to class yesterday for not going 14 Everyone in the neighborhood participated ……… (search)……… for the lost child in searching 15 I apologized to Yoko……… (make)……… her wait for me for making 16 The weather is terrible tonight I don’t blame you (want, not) to go to the meeting for not wanting 17 Who is responsible……… (wash)…… and (dry)…….the dishes after dinner? for washing/drying 18 In addition ……… (go)……… to school full time, Spiro has a part-time job to going 19 I stopped the child ……… (run)……… into the street from running 20 Where should we go for dinner tonight? Would you object ……… (go)…… to an Italian restaurant? to going 21 The mayor made another public statement for the purpose……… (clarify)…… the new tax proposal of clarifying 22 The thief was accused ……… (steal)……… a woman’s purse of stealing 23 The jury found Mr Adams guilty ……… (take)……… money from the company he worked for and (keep)……… it for himself of taking/keeping 24 Larry isn’t used……… (wear)……… a suit and tie every day to wearing 25 I’m going to visit my family during the school vacation I’m looking forward ……… (eat) ……… my mother’s cooking and (sleep)……… in my own bed to eating/sleeping Exercise Combine the pairs of sentences Change “that fact” to a gerund phrase Use formal English Mary won a scholarship We are excited about that fact →We are excited about Mary’s (Mary) winning scholarship He didn’t want to go I couldn’t understand that fact →I couldn’t understand his (him) not wanting to go You took the time to help us We greatly appreciate that fact →We greatly appreciate your (you) taking the time to help us They ran away to get married That fact shocked everyone →Everyone was shocked by their (them) running away to get married /Their running away to get married shocked everyone You are late to work every morning That fact shocked everyone →Everyone was shocked by your (you) being late to work every morning /Your/(You) being late to work every morning shocked every one You are late to work every morning I will no longer tolerate that fact →I will no longer tolerate your (you) being late to work every morning Ann borrowed Sally’s clothes without asking her first Sally complained about that fact →Sally complained about Ann’s (Ann) borrowing her clothes without asking her first Helen is here to answer our questions about the company’s new insurance plan We should take advantage of that fact →We should take advantage of Helen’s (Helen) being here to answer our questions about the company’s new insurance plan Exercise Read the situation, then decide which form seems better to you in the sentence that contains a verb of perception SITUATION: I was downtown yesterday I saw the police They were chasing a thief →When I was downtown yesterday, I saw the police…………….a thief chasing SITUATION: The front door slammed I got up to see if someone had come in →When I heard the front door……………., I got up to see if someone had come in slam Gerunds SITUATION: Uncle Jake is in the bedroom He is snoring →I know Uncle Jake is in the bedroom because I can hear him………… snoring SITUATION: When I walked past the park, some children were playing softball →When I walked past the park, I saw some children ………… softball playing SITUATION: It was graduation day in the auditorium When the school principal called my name, I walked to the front of the room →When I heard the school principal …………my name, I walked to the front of the auditorium to receive my diploma call SITUATION: I glanced out the window, Jack was walking toward the house I was surprised →I was surprised when I glanced out the window and saw Jack……… toward the house walking SITUATION: Someone is calling for help in the distance I suddenly hear that →Listen! Do you hear someone……………for help? I calling SITUATION: My daughter’s team plays soccer every weekend I always watch the team when they play a game →I enjoy watching my daughter………soccer every weekend play SITUATION: I went to bed around eleven At that time, the people in the next apartment were singing and laughing →When I went to bed last night around eleven, I could hear the people in the next apartment………….and………… I had trouble getting to sleep because they were making so much noise singing/laughing 10 SITUATION: A fly landed on the table I swatted it with a rolled up newspaper →As soon as I saw the fly…………on the table, I swatted it with a rolled up newspaper land 11 SITUATION: I smell smoke Something must be burning →Do you smell something…………….? I burning 12 SITUATION: I was sitting in class Suddenly someone touched my shoulder →I was startled in class yesterday when I felt someone…………my shoulder I didn’t mind It just surprised me I was Olga She wanted to borrow my dictionary Touch Gerunds INFINITIVES I Common verbs followed by infinitives VERB + INFINITIVE An infinitive = to + the simple form of a verb (to see, to be, a I hope to see you again soon etc.) d Some verbs are followed immediately by an infinitive, as in (a) b He promised to be here by ten and (b) c He promised not to be late Negative form: not precedes the infinitive, as in (c) VERB + (PRO)NOUN + INFINITIVE Some verbs are followed by a (pro)noun and then an infinitive e Mr Lee told me to be here at ten as in (d) and (e) o’clock f The police ordered the driver to stop g I was told to be here at ten o’clock These verbs are followed immediately by an infinitive when h The driver was ordered to stop i I expect to pass the test Ask, expect, would like, want, and need may or may not be j I expect Mary to pass the test followed by a (pro)noun object COMPARE: In (h): I think I will pass the test In (i) : I think Mary will pass the test I.1 REFERENCE LIST OF VERBS FOLLOWED BY INFINITIVES afford agree appear arrange ask can’t bear* beg begin care 10 claim 11.consent 12 continue* 13 decide 14 demand 15 deserve 16 expect 17 fail 18 forget* 19 hate* 20 hesitate 21 hope 22 learn 23 like* I can’t afford to buy it They agreed to help us She appears to be tired I’ll arrange to meet you at the airport He asked to come with us I can’t bear to wait in long lines He begged to come with us It began to rain I don’t care to see that show She claims to know a famous movie star She finally consented to marry him He continued to speak I have decided to leave on Monday I demand to know who is responsible She deserves to win the prize I expect to enter graduate school in the fall She failed to return the book to the library on time I forgot to mail the letter I hate to make silly mistakes Don’t hesitate to ask for help Jack hopes to arrive next week He learned to play the piano I like to go to the movies 24 love* 25 manage 26 mean 27 need 28 offer 29 plan 30 prefer 31 prepare 32 pretend 33 promise 34 refuse 35 regret* 36 remember* 37 seem 38 can’t stand* 39 start 40 struggle 41 swear 42 threaten 43 try* 44 volunteer 45 wait 46 want 47 wish I love to go to operas She managed to finish her work early I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings I need to have your opinion They offered to help us I am planning to have a party Ann prefers to walk to work We prepared to welcome them He pretends not to understand I promise not to be late I refuse to believe his story I regret to tell you tat you failed I remembered to lock the door That car seems to be friendly I can’t stand to wait in long lines It started to rain I struggled to stay awake She swore to tell the truth She threatened to tell my parents I’m trying to learn English He volunteered to help us I will wait to hear from you I want to tell you something She wishes to come with us I.2 VERBS FOLLOWED BY A (PRO)NOUN + AN INFINITIVE advise* She advised me to wait until 14 instruct He instructed them to be careful tomorrow allow She allowed me to use her car 15 invite Harry invited the Johnsons to come to his party ask I asked John to help us 16 need We needed Chris to help us figure out the solution beg They begged us to come 17 order The judge ordered me to pay a fine Gerunds cause Her laziness caused her to fail 18 permit challenge She challenged me to race her to the corner I couldn’t convince him to accept our help He dared me to better than he had done He encouraged me to try again I expect you to be on time 19 persuade He permitted the children to stay up late I persuaded him to come for a visit 20 remind She reminded me to lock the door 21 require Our teacher requires us to be on time My brother taught me to swim The doctor told me to take these pills I urged her to apply for the job I want you to be happy I warned you not to drive too fast convince dare encourage 10 expect 11 forbid I forbid you to tell him 12 force They forced him to tell the truth 13 hire She hired a boy to mow the lawn II INFINITIVE OF PURPOSES: IN ORDER TO a He came here in order to study English b He came here to study English c INCORECT: He came here for studying English d INCORRECT: He came here for to study English e INCORRECT: He came here for study English “for” f I went to the store for some bread g I went to the store to buy some bread 22 teach 23 tell 24 urge 25 want 26 warn “In order to” is used to express purpose It answers the questions “why?” In order to is often omitted, as in “b” To express purpose, use “in order to” not with a verb “For” can be used to express purpose, but it is a preposition and is followed by a noun object as in “f” III ADJECTIVES FOLLOWED BY INFINITIVES a We are sorry to hear the bad news Certain adjectives can be immediately followed by b I was surprised to see Tim at the meeting infinitives, as in “a” and “ b” In general, these adjectives describe a person (or persons), not a thing Many of these adjectives describe a person’s feeling or attitudes SOME COMMON ADJECTIVES FOLLOWED BY INFINTIVIES glad to fortunate to 17 ready to 25 careful to happy to 10 sorry to* 18 prepared to 26 hesitant to * pleased to 11 sad to 19 anxious to 27 reluctant to * delighted to 12 upset to 20 eager to 28 afraid to content to 13 disappointed to* 21 willing to 29 likely to relieved to 14 proud to 22 motivated to 30 certain to lucky to 15 ashamed to 23 determined to 31 surprised to* * * * amazed to 16 astonished to 24 shocked to 32 stunned to* The expression with asterisks are usually followed by infinitive phrases with verbs such as “see, learn, discover, find out, hear.” IV USING INFINITIVE WITH “TOO” AND “ENOUGH” COMPARE: In the speaker’s mind, the use of “too” implies a a That box is too heavy for Bob to lift negative result b That box is very heavy, but Bob can lift it In “a”: too heavy = It is impossible for Bob to lift that box In “b”: very heavy = It is possible but difficult for Bob to lift that box c I am strong enough to lift that box I can “Enough” follows an adjective, as in “c” lift it Usually “enough” precedes a noun, as in “d” In Gerunds d I have enough strength to lift that box e I have strength enough to lift that box formal English, it may follow a noun, as in “e” Exercise Use an infinitive phrase to create active and passive sentences using the given ideas and the verbs in parentheses (Omit the “by – phrase” in passive sentences.) The teacher said to me, “You may leave early.” (permit) →The teacher permitted me to leave early (active) →I was permitted to leave early (passive) The secretary said to me, “Please give this note to Sue.” (ask) →The secretary asked me to give that note to Sue →I was asked to give that note to Sue My advisor said to me, “You should take Biology 109.” (advise) →My advisor advised me to take Biology 109 →I was advised to take Biology 109 When I went to traffic court, the judge said to me, “You must pay a fine.” (order) →When I went to traffic court, the judge ordered me to pay a fine →When I went to traffic court, I was ordered to pay a fine During the test, the teacher said to Greg, “Keep your eyes on your own paper.” (warn) →During the test, the teacher warned Greg to keep his eyes on his own paper →During the test, Greg was warned to keep his eyes on his own paper During the test, the teacher said to Greg, “Don’t look at your neighbor’s paper.” (warn) →During the test, the teacher warned Greg not to look at his neighbor’s paper →During the test, Greg was warned not to look at his neighbor’s paper At the meeting, the head of the department said to the faculty, “Don’t forget to turn in your grade reports by the 15th.” (remind) →At the meeting, the head of the department reminded the faculty to turn in their grade reports by the 15th →At the meeting, the faculty was reminded to turn in their grade reports by the 15 th Mr Lee said to the children, Be quiet.” (tell) →Mr Lee told the children to be quiet →The children was told to be quiet The hijacker said to the pilot, “You must land the plane.” (force) →The hijacker forced the pilot to land the plane →The pilot was forced to land the plane 10 When I was growing up, my parents said to me, “You may stay up late on Saturday night.” (allow) →When I was growing up, my parents allowed me to stay up late on Saturday night →When I was growing up, I was allowed to stay up late on Saturday night 11 The teacher said to the students, “Speak slowly and clearly.” (encourage) →The teacher encouraged the students to speak slowly and clearly →The students were encouraged to speak slowly and clearly 12 The teacher always says to the students, “You are supposed to come to class on time.” (expect) →The teacher expected the students to come to class on time →The students were expected to come to class on time Exercise Add “in order” wherever possible If nothing should be added, write X I went to garden center………to get some fertilizer for my flowers in order When the teacher asked him a question, Jack pretended……to understand what she was saying x My roommate asked me……………to clean up the dishes after dinner x I bought a new screwdriver……… to repair my bicycle in order My mother always said I should eat lots of green vegetables.to make my body strong in order Mustafa climbed onto a chair…………to change a light bulb in the ceiling in order I really want……….to learn Italian before I visit Venice next year x Gerunds I jog three times a week………….to stay healthy in order It is a good idea………to know where your children are at all times x 10 I need to find her……… to talk to her in order 11 Rita has to work at two jobs…………to support herself and her three children in order 12 Jim finally went to the dentist……… to get some relief from his toothache in order 13 It’s easier for me………to understand written English than it is to understand spoken English x 14 I practice speaking English into a tape recorder … to improve my pronunciation in order 15 It isn’t important…………to speak English without an accent as long as people understand what you’re saying x