Gerundial constructions
One of the specific features of the gerund use is that the gerund can have a subject of its own (refer to a nominal element expressing the subject of the action) different from the real subject of the sentence. As a result a special gerund. Construction is built, traditionally known as a gerundial complex. In the gerund.complex the gerund stands in predicate relation to a noun in the poss.case or a poss. pronoun
The nominal element can be expressed by:
a possessive pronoun
I’m sorry about your losing your job.
Auntie mentioned about his being in hospital.
The use of a possessive pronoun is considered to be typical of formal style.
Some grammarians point out that the use of a possessive pronoun focuses attention on the action expressed by the gerund:
I appreciate your being here.
a personal pronoun in the objective case
Dad insisted on us apologizing.
“What time will I see you tomorrow?” I asked, already depressed by the thought of him leaving now.
Some grammar sources argue that the use of a pronoun in the objective case
attracts attention to the nominal element:
He thinks Edward had something to do with me getting hurt.
a noun in the possessive case
I don’t remember Charles’s telling me that.
Some sources argue that a noun in the possessive case is used only by
the most careful speakers and usually considered to be rather formal.
noun in the common case
I resented Tom winning the prize.
Some grammarians use the term ‘half-gerund’ when the nominal element is expressed by a noun in the common case or a personal pronoun in the objective case. They argue that in these cases the ‘ing-form’ stands between the gerund and participle I:
I remembered the horse winning the race.
It is hard to imagine him existing without it.
We can understand them wanting to go.
2. The nominal element can rarely be expressed by the introductory ‘there’:
The paramedics arrived just in time, and there was some question of there being brain damage this time.
The gerund vs the infinitive
The comparative view of he nominal features of the gerund and the infinitive requires to single out common and differential items. The possible distinctions between the use of the Infinitive and the use of the Gerund seem to be based on a few following factors:
1. THE SEMANTIC FACTOR
The semantic difference between the forms lies in the gerund being, on the one hand, of a more substantive nature than the infinitive; on the other hand, of a more abstract nature in the logical sense proper.
Thus, the Gerund seems to be of a more general character than the Infinitive:
Cooking is her pet hobby.
The infinitive seems to denote a single definite action:
To carry out accurate market research requires a huge amount of work.
The general character of the gerund is especially obvious when the gerund is used after a noun followed by the preposition ‘for’ (the preposition is used in the sense ‘used or suitable for’), while the Infinitive as attribute expresses a particular action:
It’s a machine for slicing bread.
Where is the key for turning off the radiator?
Have you got a key to unlock this door?
However, this distinction does not seem applicable to all cases:
Did he give any reason for arriving so late?
2. THE REGISTER FACTOR
The use of both non-finite forms are dependent on the style, i.e. both non-finite forms are most common in fiction, followed by news and academic prose, they are relatively rare in conversation. However, the infinitive is more than twice as common as the gerund.
Both forms have a different frequency of occurrence after some head-verbs. For example, the infinitive and the gerund are interchangeably used after the verbs ‘attempt’, ‘can’t bear’, and ‘intend’:
What do you intend to do about this?
I intend using the report as evidence to support my case.
However, the use of the infinitive after these verbs is more frequent than the use of the gerund.
Both forms have a different frequency of occurrence in certain functions:
The Gerund and the Infinitive as subjects
The Gerund is preferred in the function of the subject at the beginning of the sentence:
Choosing the winner was a difficult task.
It is not so widely used in sentences with ‘it’ or ‘there’:
It was actually very intriguing seeing the play in the raw, watching it carved into shape.
On the contrary, the infinitive is common in the function of the subject introduced by ‘it’:
It was easy to find the path.
It was difficult for her to find a job.
It’s a great pleasure to introduce tonight’s guest speaker, Mr Dennis Taylor.
3. THE LEXICAL FACTOR
The use of both forms in such functions as object, part of a compound verbal predicate or attribute is dependent on the headword. In these functions, both the gerund and the infinitive follow verbs, nouns and adjectives which control the use of one or the other.
In order to know which of the two is used after a particular headword you should consult a good dictionary.
In a small number of cases it is possible to choose and use both the infinitive and the gerund:
I prefer working on my own. Do you prefer to exercise indoors or out of doors?
We were annoyed at finding our places taken. We were annoyed to find that the plane was overbooked.
We are very keen to encourage more local employers to work with us. The captain wasn’t keen on having him in the team.
We both recognize the necessity to get this right. The government was spared the necessity of instituting an official enquiry.
In some cases, the use of one or the other non-finite verb after a head-word is obligatory. Some head-verbs, head-adjectives and head-nouns require the use of the infinitive:
She feared to speak in his presence.
After the way you’ve been treated, you have every right to complain.
The programme gives students the opportunity to learn more about global warming.
It’s not always easy to find good teaching materials in this field.
Meanwhile, some head-verbs, head-adjectives and head-nouns require the use of the gerund:
It was proposed that we postpone making a decision until next month.
Cassia was rather enjoying helping with the mother and baby clinic.
She has a lot of problems right now – the problem of finding a good school for her child, of getting a job.
It’s useless trying to talk to her because she never listens.
Moreover, the different meanings of one and the same head-word require the use of one or the other non-finite verb:
I stopped to stretch my legs (no longer move, pause). I stopped smoking (no longer do something).
I can’t stand waiting for buses (dislike very much). She couldn’t stand to see him leave (somebody dislikes something so much that they cannot allow it to happen).
I propose to tell them the absolute truth (intend or plan). France has
proposed creating a rapid-reaction force to deal with the crisis (to make a formal suggestion in a meeting).
He doesn’t stand a chance of winning against such an experienced player (possibility). The teacher gave her one last chance to prove she could behave (opportunity).
He felt tired enough to go to sleep standing up (needing to rest or sleep). I’m sick and tired of hearing about politics (no longer wanting to do).
5. THE FUNCTIONAL FACTOR
In certain functions the infinitive and the gerund acquire some differentiating characteristics which contribute to their distinction in usage.
In the function of subject both non-finite verbs can be used. The infinitive tends to denote an action following that of the predicate verb:
Bob was not a bad boy, just high-spirited, and to send him away to an approved school was absurd.
The gerund in the same function mainly serves to express an action which is simultaneous with that of the predicate verb:
Choosing the winner was a difficult task.
In the function of object the different time reference of an action requires the use of either non-finite form after one and the same head-verb.
The commonest head-verbs of this type are ‘remember’, ‘forget’ and ‘regret’. The Infinitive after these verbs refers the action to the future, while the Gerund (after the same verbs) refers the action to the present or past:
I regret to inform you that your presence is no longer required. I don’t regret getting married.
Don’t forget to lock the door before you leave. I’ll never forget seeing my daughter dance in public for the first time.
I remember discussing it once before. I must remember to send a gift to her child.
In the function of part of the predicative the infinitive after some of the
adjectives expresses an action simultaneous with that of the predicate verb:
I’m sorry to disturb you.
In the function of prepositional object the gerund after some of the adjectives
expresses an action prior to that of the predicate verb:
I’m sorry for disturbing you.
On the whole, the choice between the infinitive as part of the predicative and
the gerund as prepositional object seems free with little difference in meaning.
Sometimes the Infinitive tends to be more common and tends to express a single action following that of the predicate verb, while the gerund seems preferable in literary style to express simultaneous or preceding actions:
He wasn’t ashamed of asking/to ask for more money.