The Gerund

The gerund is a non-finite form of the verb with some noun features. It is formed by adding the suffix –ing to the verb.

The grammatical meaning of the gerund is a process.

The meaning of the gerund is close to the meaning of the noun, the noun denotes the fact or the result of an action, which in may be something material.

Compare: Show me your translation: it is neatly done, and there are no mistakes in it.

You will enrich your vocabulary by translating from English into Russian and vice versa.

The gerund has a double nature: it combines the features of the verb and the features of the noun.

Morphologically the verbal character of the gerund is shown in the categories of voice and correlation and syntactically in its combinability. Thus the gerund may combine with a noun or pronoun as direct, indirect or prepositional object, depending on the verb from which it is formed. It may combine with an adjective or a noun as a predicative, with an infinitive, or act as a modal verb equivalent.

Gerund	Finite verb
I remember your telling me the story five years ago. It's no use arguing about trifles. John dreams of becoming a sailor. There is some chance of his being able to join us. We enjoyed walking slowly along the silent streets.	You told me the story five years ago. I never argue about trifles. John became a sailor. We hope he will be able to join us. We walked slowly along the silent streets.

The nominal character of the gerund reveals itself syntactically, mainly in its syntactical function but partly in its combinability.

Like a noun, it can function as subject, object, or predicative, but not as predicate.

Seeing you is always a pleasure.

I remember seeing you somewhere

I am thinking of seeing the film again.

Peter's hobby is seeing all new films.

The Grammatical Categories of the Gerund

Voice Correlation	Active	Passive
Non-Perfect	running taking	being taken
Perfect	having run having taken	having been taken

The Forms of the Gerund The Category of Correlation (perfect – non-perfect)

The indefinite gerund denotes an action simultaneous with that expressed by the finite verb.

Students improve their pronunciation

John improved his pronunciation by listening to tape recordings.

You will improve your pronunciation

The perfect gerund denotes an action prior to the action denoted by the finite verb.

I regret

I regretted having uttered these words.

I will always regret

The non-perfect gerund is generally used after verbs of recollection, gratitude, blame, reproach, punishment and reward.

I shall never forget taking this exam.

I remember talking to him once.

Thank you for helping me.

The non-perfect gerund is to be found in gerundial phrases in­troduced by the prepositions on and after.

On reaching the end of the street we turned towards the river.

Preedy, after reflecting a little, gave a long sigh.

The non-perfect gerund expresses a succeeding action after verbs, adjectives and prepositions implying reference to a future event (such as to intend, to insist, to object, to suggest, to look forward to) and after the preposition before:

I insist on your staying with us.

We are looking forward to visiting new places.

Ann suggested going to the cinema.

I'm not keen on getting myself into trouble.

We met once more before parting.

The same occurs after nouns expressing future actions such as plan, intention, hope, prospect:

There is some hope of catching the last train.