GERUND

1.      Introduction To Gerunds

Grammar Structures and Practice

A.    Introduction to Gerunds

Gerunds have the same form as present participles: simple form + -ing.

Functions of gerunds

Explanation	Structures	Examples
Although gerunds look like verb forms, they function as nouns and can be used at many points in a sentence.	Noun Object of a verb Gerund Object of a verb Gerund Subject Gerund Complement Gerund Object of a Preposition	I enjoy books I enjoy reading Reading is my favorite pastime My favorite pastime is reading By reading a lets learn about the world

Forms of gerunds

Structures	Explanations	Active	Passive
Affirmative	Active gerunds are the –ing form of a verb. Passive gerunds are formed by using being + past participle	Governing a country is difficult.	Being governed by a good leader is what most citizens want.
Negative	Not comes before the gerund. Possessive nouns or pronouns may also be used before gerunds.	Not dedicating himself to peace is unthinkable for a man like Jimmy Carter.	Not being dedicated to peace is unthinkable for a man like Jimmy Carter.
By phrase  with passive	As with most passive sentences, the by phrase is commonly omitted.	Everyone was delighted by the committee’s inviting Jimmy Carter.	Everyone was delighted by Jimmy Carter’s being invited (by the committee.)

Use of possessive and pronouns with gerunds

	Explanations	Active	Passive
Formal	In formal English, a possessive is used before a gerund.	Everyone was moved by Carter’s committing himself to the poor. Everyone was delighted by the committee’s inviting Jimmy Carter. Everyone was delighted by its inviting Jimmy Carter.	Everyone was moved by his being committed to the poor. Everyone was delighted by Jimmy Carter’s being invited. Everyone was delighted by his being invited.
Informal	In informal English nouns or object pronouns are often used	Everyone was delighted by the committee inviting Jimmy Carter. Everyone was delighted by it (them) inviting Jimmy Carter.	Everyone was delighted by Jimmy Carter being invited. Everyone was delighted by him being invited.

 Practice 2

1. We enjoy reading stories to our children. Our children enjoy being read stories.
2. Our children enjoy being sung to. We enjoy sing to our children.

Practice 3

She enjoys travelling to unpopular destinations.

Practice 4

1. For Carter,helping…….. (help) the poor is important work for humankind.
2. Serving…….. (serve) other has been a full-time job for Carter.

B.     Gerunds following prepositions

Because gerunds act like nouns, they can also follow preposition.

Gerunds following prepositions

Explanations	Structures	Examples
Gerunds are used to replace nouns as the objects of prepositions Infinitive (to + verb) may not be used	Noun Object of a Preposition	Thanks for the invitation. Thanks for the performance.
	Gerund Object of a Preposition	Thanks for inviting us. Thanks for performing for us.

Common Expressions with Prepositions That Are Often Followed by Gerunds
be accused of be afraid of be dissatisfied with be famous for be in favor of be fed up with be good at	be interested in be involved in be satisfied with be sick of be tired of	approve of blame someone for can’t (cannot) help complain about disapprove of excuse someone for get through instead of	plan on (praise) someone for put off talk about (talk over) think about try hard at work hard at worry about How about…?

There are many common expressions with preposition that are often followed by gerunds. Some of these use the preposition to.

Common Expressions with To That Are Often Followed by Gerunds

Explanations	Expressions	Structures	Examples
In these idiomatic expressions to is a preposition and the gerund form follows it if a verb form is used. Do not confuse the preposition to with the to Used in infinitives (to + verb).	be accustomed to    devote time be committed to   (money, effort) to be devoted to        donate time be opposed to        (money) to be subjected to       in addition to be used to            look forward to object to plead guilty to plead innocent to	Noun object of to Gerund object of to	I am looking forward to the party. I am looking forward to seeing you (not I am looking forward to see you.)

Practice 5

Grateful people everywhere have thanked the Carters for helping (help) to provide them with safe,affordable housing.