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.
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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:
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
I.2 Common preposition combinations followed by gerunds
be excited about doing it keep (someone) from doing it insist on doing it
about/of doing it prohibit (someone) be accustomed to doing it
instead take advantage take care
be tired
II Gerunds are used as the objects of certain verbs
II 1 Explanation
a I enjoy playing tennis.
verb + gerund
Gerunds are used as the objects of certain verbs In “a”, “enjoy” is followed
by a gerund Enjoy is not followed by an infinitive
b Joe quit smoking.
c Joe gave up smoking.
“b” and “c” have the same meaning Some phrasal verbs are followed by gerunds
II.2 VERB + GERUND
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1 admit
2 advise *
3 anticipate
4 appreciate
5 avoid
6 can’t bear *
7 begin *
8 complete
9 consider
10 continue *
11 delay
12 deny
13 discuss
14 dislike
15 enjoy
16 finish (get through)
17 forget *
18 hate *
19 can’t help
20 keep (keep on)
21 like *
22 love *
23 mention
24 mind
25 miss
26 postpone (put off)
27 practice
28 prefer *
29 quit (give up)
30 recall
31 recollect
32 recommend
33 regret *
34 remember *
35 resent
36 resist
37 risk
38 can’t stand *
39 start *
40 stop
41 suggest
42 tolerate
43 try *
44 understand
He admitted stealing the money.
She advised waiting until tomorrow.
I anticipate having a good time on vacation.
I appreciated hearing from them.
He avoided answering my question.
I can’t bear waiting in long lines.
It began raining.
I finally completed writing my term paper.
I will consider going with you.
He continued speaking.
He delayed leaving for school.
She denied committing the crime.
They discussed opening a new business.
I dislike driving long distances.
We enjoyed visiting them.
She finished studying about ten.
I’ll never forget visiting Napoleon’s tomb.
I hate making silly mistakes.
I can’t help worrying about it.
I keep hoping he will come.
I like going to movies.
I love going to operas.
She mentioned going to a movie.
Would you mind helping me with this?
I miss being with my family.
Let’s postpone leaving until tomorrow.
The athlete practiced throwing the ball.
Ann prefers walking to driving to work.
He quit trying to solve the problem.
I don’t recall meeting him before.
I don’t recollect meeting him before.
She recommended seeing the show.
I regret telling him my secret.
I can remember meeting him when I was a child.
I resent her interfering in my business.
I couldn’t resist eating the dessert.
She risks losing all of her money.
I can’t stand waiting in long lines.
It started raining.
She stopped going to classes when she got sick.
She suggested going to a movie.
She won’t tolerate cheating during an examination.
I tried changing the light bulb, but the lamp still didn’t work.
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” is followed by a gerund in certain idiomatic expression to express for the most part, recreational activities
1 go birdwatching
2 go boating
3 go bowling
7 go fishing
8 go hiking
9 go hunting
13 go sailing
14 go shopping
15 go sightseeing
18 go skinnydipping
19 go sledding
20 go snorkeling
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4 go camping
5 go canoeing
6 go dancing
10 go jogging
11 go mountain climbing
12 go running
16 go skateboarding
17 go skiing
21 go swimming
22 go tobogganing
23 go window shopping
III Special expressions followed by “ing”
volleyball
- “ing” forms follow certain special
expressions:
We had a good time
house
I had difficulty
I had a hard time
I had a difficult time
c Sam spends most of his time studying
d I waste a lot of time watching TV.
spend + expression of time or money + -ing waste + expression of time or money + -ing
e She sat at her desk writing a letter.
f I stood there wondering what to do next.
g He is lying in bed reading a novel
sit + expression of place + -ing stand + expression of place + -ing lie + expression of place + -ing
h When he walked into my office, I found
George using my telephone.
i When I walked into my office, I caught
a thief looking through my desk drawers
find + (pro)noun + -ing catch + (pro)noun + -ing
In “h” and “i”: Both find and catch mean
“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.
a FORMAL: Mr Lee complained about our coming to class
late*
b INFORMAL: Mr Lee complained about us coming to
class late
In formal English, a possessive adjective (e.g., our) is used to modify a gerund, as in (a)
In informal English, the object form of a pronoun (e.g., us) is frequently used, as in (b)
c FORMAL: Mr Lee complained about Mary’s coming to
class late
d INFORMAL: Mr Lee complained about Mary coming to
class late
In very formal English, a possessive noun (e.g, Mary’s) is used to modify a gerund The possessive form is often not used in informal English, as in (d)
V Using verbs of perception
a I saw my friend run down the street.
b I saw my friend running down the street.
c I heard the rain fall on the roof.
d I heard the rain falling on the roof
Certain verbs of perception are followed by either
the simple form or the –ing form of a verb There is
often little difference in meaning between the two 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
my roommate singing in the shower.
f I heard my famous opera star sing at the
concert last night
Sometime (not always) there is a clear difference
between using the simple form or the “–ing” form The use of the “–ing” form gives the idea that an
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 1 Completing these sentences with an appropriate preposition and verb form
1 Alice isn’t interested in (look) looking for a new job
2 Henry is excited ……… (leave) ……… for India about/leaving
3 You are capable ……… (do)……… better work of/doing
4 I have no excuse ……… (be)……… late for/being
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5 I’m accustomed……… (have)……… a big breakfast to/having
6 The rain prevented us……… (complete)……… the work from/completing
7 Fred id always complaining……… (have)……… a headache about/of/having
8 Instead……… (study)……… , Margaret went to a ballgame with some of her friends of studying
9 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 2 Combine the pairs of sentences Change “that fact” to a gerund phrase Use formal English.
1 Mary won a scholarship We are excited about that fact
2 He didn’t want to go I couldn’t understand that fact
3 You took the time to help us We greatly appreciate that fact
4 They ran away to get married That fact shocked everyone.
married shocked everyone
5 You are late to work every morning That fact shocked everyone.
to work every morning shocked every one
6 You are late to work every morning I will no longer tolerate that fact.
7 Ann borrowed Sally’s clothes without asking her first Sally complained about that fact.
8 Helen is here to answer our questions about the company’s new insurance plan We should take
advantage of that fact
company’s new insurance plan
Exercise 3 Read the situation, then decide which form seems better to you in the sentence that contains a verb of perception
1 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
2 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
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3 SITUATION: Uncle Jake is in the bedroom He is snoring.
→I know Uncle Jake is in the bedroom because I can hear him………… snoring
4 SITUATION: When I walked past the park, some children were playing softball
→When I walked past the park, I saw some children ………… softball playing
5 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
6 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
7 SITUATION: Someone is calling for help in the distance I suddenly hear that
→Listen! Do you hear someone………for help? I do calling
8 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
9 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 do 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
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INFINITIVES
I Common verbs followed by infinitives
VERB + INFINITIVE
a I hope to see you again soon.
b He promised to be here by ten.
c He promised not to be late
An infinitive = to + the simple form of a verb (to see, to be, etc.)
and (b)
Negative form: not precedes the infinitive, as in (c) VERB + (PRO)NOUN + INFINITIVE
e Mr Lee told me to be here at ten
o’clock
f The police ordered the driver to
stop
Some verbs are followed by a (pro)noun and then an infinitive
as in (d) and (e)
These verbs are followed immediately by an infinitive when
g I was told to be here at ten o’clock.
h The driver was ordered to stop
i I expect to pass the test.
j I expect Mary to pass the test
Ask, expect, would like, want, and need may or may not be
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
1 afford
2 agree
3 appear
4 arrange
5 ask
6 can’t bear *
7 beg
8 begin
9 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
1 advise * She advised me to wait until
tomorrow
14 instruct He instructed them to be careful.
2 allow She allowed me to use her car 15 invite Harry invited the Johnsons to come
to his party
3 ask I asked John to help us 16 need We needed Chris to help us figure
out the solution
4 beg They begged us to come 17 order The judge ordered me to pay a fine.
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5 cause Her laziness caused her to fail 18 permit He permitted the children to stay
up late
6 challenge She challenged me to race her to
the corner
19 persuade I persuaded him to come for a visit.
7 convince I couldn’t convince him to accept
our help
20 remind She reminded me to lock the door.
8 dare He dared me to do better than he
had done
21 require Our teacher requires us to be on
time
9 encourage He encouraged me to try again 22 teach My brother taught me to swim.
10 expect I expect you to be on time 23 tell The doctor told me to take these
pills
11 forbid I forbid you to tell him 24 urge I urged her to apply for the job.
12 force They forced him to tell the truth 25 want I want you to be happy.
13 hire She hired a boy to mow the lawn 26 warn I warned you not to drive too fast
II INFINITIVE OF PURPOSES: IN ORDER TO
a He came here in order to study English.
b He came here to study English.
“In order to” is used to express purpose It answers
the questions “why?” In order to is often omitted,
as in “b”
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”
To express purpose, use “in order to” not with a
verb
f I went to the store for some bread.
g I went to the store to buy some bread
“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.
b I was surprised to see Tim at the meeting.
Certain adjectives can be immediately followed by 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
1 glad to
2 happy to
3 pleased to
4 delighted to
5 content to
6 relieved to
7 lucky to
8 amazed to*
9 fortunate to
10 sorry to*
11 sad to*
12 upset to*
13 disappointed to*
14 proud to
15 ashamed to
16 astonished to*
17 ready to
18 prepared to
19 anxious to
20 eager to
21 willing to
22 motivated to
23 determined to
24 shocked to*
25 careful to
26 hesitant to
27 reluctant to
28 afraid to
29 likely to
30 certain to
31 surprised 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:
a That box is too heavy for Bob to lift.
b That box is very heavy, but Bob can lift it
In the speaker’s mind, the use of “too” implies a
negative result
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
lift it
“Enough” follows an adjective, as in “c”
Usually “enough” precedes a noun, as in “d” In
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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 1 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.)
1 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)
2 The secretary said to me, “Please give this note to Sue.” (ask)
→I was asked to give that note to Sue
3 My advisor said to me, “You should take Biology 109.” (advise)
4 When I went to traffic court, the judge said to me, “You must pay a fine.” (order)
5 During the test, the teacher said to Greg, “Keep your eyes on your own paper.” (warn)
6 During the test, the teacher said to Greg, “Don’t look at your neighbor’s paper.” (warn)
7 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)
by the 15 th
→At the meeting, the faculty was reminded to turn in their grade reports by the 15 th
8 Mr Lee said to the children, Be quiet.” (tell)
9 The hijacker said to the pilot, “You must land the plane.” (force)
10 When I was growing up, my parents said to me, “You may stay up late on Saturday night.” (allow)
11 The teacher said to the students, “Speak slowly and clearly.” (encourage)
12 The teacher always says to the students, “You are supposed to come to class on time.” (expect)
Exercise 2 Add “in order” wherever possible If nothing should be added, write X
1 I went to garden center………to get some fertilizer for my flowers in order
2 When the teacher asked him a question, Jack pretended……to understand what she was saying x
3 My roommate asked me………to clean up the dishes after dinner x
4 I bought a new screwdriver……… to repair my bicycle in order
5 My mother always said I should eat lots of green vegetables.to make my body strong in order
6 Mustafa climbed onto a chair…………to change a light bulb in the ceiling in order
7 I really want……….to learn Italian before I visit Venice next year x
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8 I jog three times a week………….to stay healthy in order
9 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