In linguistics, and in particular the context of grammar, a gerund is a present participle verb which acts as a noun by adding -ing to the end. Some grammarians, however, refer to these as verbal nouns ending in -ing, for example Sidney Greenbaum in An Introduction to English Grammar (1991).
For example:
The term "gerund" is sometimes used incorrectly to mean any word ending with "ing". For example:
- Jane was swimming in the sea. (The participle verb here functions as an adjective and is not a true gerund.)
Compare:
- He went on telling us about what he had done. (gerund)
- He went on, telling us about what he had done. (present participle)
In the former sentence, the gerund implies that he had begun already to tell us. The latter sentence implies with the present participle that the telling began then. (But better is: He went on to tell us what he had done.)
Tenses of the Gerund
The gerund in English exists in several forms (example with the verb to cut):
|
Active |
Passive |
| Present |
cutting |
being cut |
| Perfect |
having cut |
having been cut |
Example sentences with these various forms:
- Cutting the rope, I jump to the ground. (After I cut the rope, I jump to the ground.)
- Being cut, the rope quickly falls to the ground. (The rope is cut and falls to the ground.)
- Having cut the rope, I jumped to the ground. (I had cut the rope, and jumped to the ground.) -- this use is very similar to the Pluperfect tense
- Having been cut, the rope quickly fell to the ground. (The rope had been cut, after which it fell to the ground.) -- this use is very similar to the Pluperfect tense
Verb Patterns With the Gerund
Verbs which are normally followed by the gerund include:
admit, adore, anticipate, can't stand, carry on, contemplate, deny, describe, detest, dislike, fancy, finish, give up, keep, keep on, justify, mention, mind, miss, postpone, quit, recall, report, resent, resume, risk, suggest, tolerate.
For example:
- We postponed making any decision.
- I simply adore reading what you write.
- I detest going to the cinema.
- His physician advised taking a long holiday.
- They denied having avoided me. (= They denied that they had avoided me.)
Verbs which can be followed either by a to-infinitive or a gerund include the following verbs.
With Little Change In Meaning
begin, continue, hate, like, love, prefer, start.
When used in conditional clauses, the to-infinitive is used, and never the gerund.
For example:
- It began to rain. or It began raining.
- I love to sleep. or I love sleeping.
- I would like to go there. (not going)
With A Change In Meaning
dread and hate
These two verbs are followed by a to-infinitive when talking hypothetically (usually when using to think), but by a gerund when talking about general dislikes.
- I dread / hate to think what she will do.
- I dread / hate seeing him.
forget, remember and stop
When these have meanings which are used to talk about the future from the given time, the to-infinitive is used, but when looking back in time, the gerund.
- I stopped to smoke. (I stopped with the intention to smoke.)
- I've stopped smoking. (I have ceased with my habit of smoking.)
- She forgot to ring me. (She did not ring me, though she should have.)
- She has forgotten all about their ceaseless teasing her when she was a child. (She has forgotten that they teased her ceaselessly when she was a child.)
- I remembered posting the letter. (I remember how I posted the letter.)
- I remembered to post the letter. (I remembered that I had to post the letter.)
can't bear
- I can't bear to see you suffer like this. (You are suffering now.)
- I can't bear being pushed round in crowds. (I never like that.)
go on
- After secondary school he went on to study at university. (He finished secondary school, and then studied later at university.)
- He went on giggling, not having noticed the teacher enter. (He continued doing so.)
mean
- I didn't mean to scare you off!
- Her having got a new post in the city meant leaving behind the village in which she was born.
advise, recommend and forbid
These are followed by a to-infinitive when there is an object as well, but with a gerund otherwise.
- The police advised us not to enter the shopping centre, for a murder had occurred. (us is the object)
- The police advised against entering the shopping centre.
regret
- I very much regret saying what I said. (I wish I hadn't said that.)
- We regret to inform you that you have failed your exam. (a polite or formal form of apology)
consider, contemplate and recommend
These verbs are followed by a to-infinitive only in the passive or with an object pronoun.
- People consider her to be the best. -- She is considered to be the best.
- I'm considering sleeping over, if you don't mind.
try
- Kindly try to remember to post my letter.
- I have tried being stern, but to no avail.
With An Object Or Genitive
We can use a gerund in combination with either an object or a genitive (possessive). The latter is considered more formal, and the only option when an adjective precedes the gerund, but is more common when the second verb applies to a person rather than an object.
- We enjoyed them (object pronoun) / their (genitive) singing.
- I greatly appreciate you / your doing this for me.
Verbs Followed By A Gerund Or A Bare Infinitive
Verbs of observation and perception can be followed by either the gerund or the bare infinitive. A bare infinitive implies completion, a gerund progression of an action. These verbs include:
feel, hear, listen to, notice, observe, perceive, see, sense, watch.
Examples:
- I heard the bell ring / ringing.
- We carefully watched them perform, then applauded.
- We were carefully watching their performing, for it was captivating.
