The Gerund. Forms and Functions

Gerund

Active

Passive

Uses

Indefinite

reading

being read

The action expressed by the gerund:

a) is simultaneous with that expressed by

the finite verb.

b) doesn’t refer to any particular time.

She likes reading.

She likes being read.

Perfect

having read

having been read

The action expressed by the gerund precedes that expressed by the finite verb.

Thank you for having helped me.

I remember having been asked this question.

Functions

Examples

Subject

Reading books is useful.

Smoking is harmful.

Reading love stories made her cry.

Predicative

His hobby is collecting stamps.

The main thing is getting there in time.

Seeing is believing.

Part of a Compound Verbal Predicate

She went on reading.

She stopped smoking.

Direct Object

I couldn’t avoid speaking to her.

The film is worth seeing.

I don’t mind waiting.

Prepositional Object

I am fond of reading.

He insisted on doing the work himself.

I don’t like his habit of making people wait.

Attribute

All liked the idea of going to the country.

I have no intention of discussing this question.

There are different ways of solving this problem.

Adverbial Modifier

On entering the room he came up to me.

He left the room without saying a word.

Excuse me for being so late.

1. admit

2. advise

3. anticipate

4. appreciate

5. avoid

6. complete

7. consider

8. delay

9. deny

10. discuss

11. dislike

12. enjoy

13. finish

14. forget

15. can’t help

16. keep

17. mention

18. mind

19. miss

20. postpone

21. practise

22. quit

23. recall

24. recollect

25. recommend

26. regret

27. remember

28. resent

29. resist

30. risk

31. stop

32. suggest

33. tolerate

34. 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 finally completed writing my term paper.

I will consider going with you.

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 can’t help worrying about it.

I keep hoping he will come.

She mentioned going to the cinema.

Would you mind helping me with this?

I miss being with my family.

Let’s postpone leaving until tomorrow.

The athlete practised throwing the ball.

He quitted 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.

She stopped going to classes when she got sick.

She suggested going to the cinema.

She won’t tolerate cheating during an examination.

I don’t understand his leaving school.