20. Gerund and verbal noun compared

GERUND

VERBAL NOUN

COMBINABILITY

Article

It’s the only way I got to make a living.

To begin at the beginning.

Adjective

It’s a new building.

Adverb

Writing quickly tired my hand.

Demonstrative Pronoun

I don’t think this building is as clean as it should be.

Direct Object

I stopped learning French.

of + Noun

The ringing of the bell grew louder.

CATEGORIES

Number

These comings and goings are getting on my nerves.

Tense

I regret having wasted so much time.

Voice

Do you prefer teaching anybody or being taught?

FUNCTION

EXAMPLES

ATRIBUTE

Never use the Perfect Participle in this function!

The whipping waves roared through the night

The waves, whipping the shore savagely, roared through the night..

PARENTHESIS

Generally speaking, I am a good student.

PREDICATIVE

The effect was terrifying.

ADVERBIAL MODIFIER OF

TIME

Conjunctions: when, while/whilst

(While) Waiting for another question he was silent.

Having finished the repairs, the plumber prepared to leave.

Perfect Participle I of the verbs of sense perception and motion and the verbs “to put”, “to open”, “to take”, “to take off”, “to seize”, “to grasp” is used only if the priority is emphasized.

CAUSE

Being late for classes, I ran up the stairs.

Having sold their house, they were free to leave.

MANNER

He spent his morning reading a newspaper.

COMPARISON

Conjunctions: as if, as though

For a moment he stood as if waiting for a bus.

CONCESSION

Conjunctions: though, although

Though knowing all he asked me.

ATTENDANT CIRCUMSTANCES

He sat in his armchair reading.

PART OF THE COMPLEX OBJECT

I saw the children playing in the garden.

PART OF THE COMPLEX SUBJECT

The children were seen playing in the garden.

FUNCTION

EXAMPLES

PREDICATIVE

The door was locked.

She looked irritated.

We feel rather encouraged.

ATRRIBUTE

He answered through the unlocked door.

There was no evidence left.

ADVERBIAL MODIFIER OF

TIME

Conjunctions: when, till, until

He spoke when spoken to.

CAUSE

Overcome by grief, he sat speechless.

CONDITION

Conjunctions: if, unless

He didn’t usually utter a word unless spoken to.

COMPARISON

Conjunctions: as though, as if

For a moment he looked at me as if puzzled.

CONCESSION

Conjunctions: though, although, even if, even though, even when, wherever, whether … or

Though addressed to, he sat silent.

Whether telecast or not, the game isn’t worth missing.

PART OF THE COMPLEX OBJECT

I want my film developed.

PART OF THE COMPLEX SUBJECT

The matter wasn’t heard mentioned.