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Kotniuk. Non-finite forms of the verb.docx
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The main sentence patterns with the gerund

1.The Gerund as Subject.

1.1.

It

is

was

will be

no use

useless

no good

doing something

It's no use crying over spilt milk. - 'Crying' is the gerund which is used in the function of the subject.

It's no use complaining (spoken).

It's useless arguing with him.

It's no good telling him. He wouldn’t listen

When he's in one of his moods, it's useless trying to discuss anything with him.

What good is it asking her?

NOTE:

1. In this sentence pattern mostly a non-perfect form of the gerund is used

2. Occasionally the variant of this sentence pattern 'there is no use' can be found: There is no use doing this again. Is there (it) any use trying to phone her?

3. After 'useless' the infinitive is also possible: It's useless to speculate without more information.

1.2.

It

is

was

will be

a noun

an adjective

doing something

It was fun driving to the north of Scotland.- 'Driving ' is the gerund which is used in the function of the subject in the sentences with the anticipatory (introductory) “it”.

It's pointless arguing with him.

It's a natural thing being there alone with Nature.

1.3.

doing something

is (was)

does (did)

will be (do)

something

Learning to ski has always been an ambition of his. - 'Learning ' is the gerund which is used in the function of the subject.

Writing a book was a more difficult job than he'd thought.

Shaking your head for 'No' is not universal.

Living such a long way from the supermarket can be very inconvenient.

Leaving your car unlocked is just inviting someone to steal it.

NOTE: This pattern is usually found is general statements.

1.4.

there

is

was

no doing something

There can be no going back.- 'Going back' is the gerund which is used in the function of the subject.

There is no accounting for tastes.

There is no regretting my decision.

The project must go ahead: there can be no turning back.

NOTE:

1. A variant of this pattern to express prohibitions can be found in public notices.

No camping. No fishing. No trespassing. No smoking.

2. Occasionally in American English the variant of this sentence pattern 'it is no doing something 'can be found'. There's /it's/ no asking her – she doesn't know anything.

Exercise 3. In each of the following sentences add a suitable subject:

  1. Drinking lots of water is supposed to be good for your complexion.

  2. ………….causes a lot of unnecessary accidents every year.

  3. ………….is much less popular than it was twenty years ago.

  4. ………….is by far the most common way of spending the evening.

  5. …………often makes you appreciate the things you took for granted in your own country.

  6. …………is a classic time-eater.

  7. …………is a good way of losing weight and getting fit.

  8. ………...in poor light can damage your eyesight.

  9. …………is my favourite way of relaxing.

  10. ……….is a sign of nervousness or stress.

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