2. Functions of Gerunds
Because gerunds are nouns, they can be used just as nouns are used.
HOW ARE NOUNS USED?
Gerunds are subjects
Example: Skiing is a popular winter sport.
Gerunds are objects
Example: I love skiing.
Gerunds are objects of prepositions
Example: I can’t live without skiing!
I’m interested in skiing.
Let’s talk about skiing.
I’m afraid of skiing.
3. Functions of Gerunds
Gerunds are also object complements
He spends time reading.
She found him working in the kitchen.
Don’t waste your time studying this stuff.
I caught the students cheating on the exam.
Fahad found Abdulrahman smoking outside.
Natsume and Paulina saw Mariana chatting with Rena
and Celia.
4. Modifying Gerunds
Gerunds can be modified with possessives and negatives.
Gerunds can be modified with a noun or object pronoun or
the possessive noun or the possessive pronoun.
I appreciate YOUR participating in the survey.
Hilal doesn’t mind MY reading her letter.
I thanked Nayef for HIS coming early to help me.
Would you mind NOT BEING late tomorrow?
I’m unhappy about the students’ interrupting the lecture.
5. Modifying Gerunds
Use the possessive noun or possessive pronoun with formal English.
I’m unhappy with Paulina’s missing class.
I’m unhappy with her missing class.
I’m upset about your missing class.
I’m disappointed with his missing class.
Use the noun object or object pronoun with informal English.
I’m unhappy with Paulina missing class.
I’m unhappy with her missing class.
I’m upset about you missing class.
I’m disappointed with him missing class.
6. Gerunds follow certain verbs
as objects
Enjoy, quit (give up), appreciate,
mind, finish, stop (quit), avoid,
postpone, delay, keep, keep on,
consider, discuss, mention,
suggest
7. Examples
Yichen doesn’t enjoy traveling.
Fahad wants Abdulaziz to quit smoking.
I appreciate the students’ coming on time to class.
Would you mind opening the door for me?
Would you mind helping me with these bags?
You have to finish working by 5 p.m. tonight.
Don’t avoid taking the test.
Holly suggested my reviewing the material before taking the test.
Keep moving! Don’t stop!
I kept on speaking even after my mother hung up the phone on me.
Would you consider staying for a while?
8. Go + Gerund
Did you go shopping?
We went fishing yesterday.
Have you ever gone camping?
Do you like to go hunting?
Let’s go skating this weekend.
My kids and I love to go swimming.
9. Special expressions
followed by gerunds
Have fun
What do you have fun doing?
Have a good time
I had a good time hanging out with my friends.
Spend time
Many guys enjoy spending time playing video games.
Waste time
Let’s not waste time reviewing material that you already know.
Have trouble
Some people have trouble adapting to new situations.
10. Special expressions followed
by gerunds
Have difficulty
Are you having difficulty staying awake today?
Have a hard time
Is anyone having a hard time understanding what I’m saying here?
Have a difficult time
I hope that nobody has a difficult time passing level 5!
11. Special expressions followed
by gerunds
Sit + expression of place+ gerund
I was just sitting in my seat minding my own business
when the teacher asked me to leave!
Stand + expression of place + gerund
I’m sorry I’m late. I was standing on line waiting for my
name to be called.
12. Active and Passive Gerunds
Active Gerund:
Inviting them to her wedding was a nice gesture on her
part.
Passive Gerund:
Being invited to her wedding was a great surprise to
them.
13. Active and Passive Gerunds
Past Active Gerund:
Having invited them to her wedding made her feel good. (She was
glad she had invited them to the wedding).
I’m happy having been your teacher. (I’m happy now that I was
your teacher before now).
Past Passive Gerund:
They were so happy having been invited to her wedding. (They
were so happy that they had been invited).
I hope you’re happy having been taught by me. (I hope that you’re
happy now that I taught you in the past).
14. Active and Passive Gerunds
You’re probably wondering why you would ever need to use
something as complicated as a past passive gerund...
It helps us express something that happened one step back
in the past (similar to past perfect).
EXAMPLE:
I hate being ignored (in general).
I’m so upset at having been ignored. (I was ignored yesterday
at the meeting. It bothers meNOWthat they ignored
meTHEN).