The Gerund as Object

The gerund can be used as a direct or a prepositional object.

As a direct object it follows a number of monotransitive verbs, some of which take only the gerund, while others may be followed either by the gerund or by the infinitive.

The following verbs are followed only by the gerund:

to admit

to appreciate

to avoid

to deny

to detest

to enjoy

to excuse

to fancy

to imagine

to mention

to mind

to miss

to postpone

to practise

to put off

to recollect

to present

to resist

to risk

to suggest

to understand

can’t help

can’t stand

We all appreciate your helping us.

Avoid using very long sentences.

Fancy us (our) having to walk a mile in a wind like this!

I'm sorry that I missed seeing you!

Do you mind Ann's joining us?

Practise listening to tape recordings. It's good practice!

Verbs followed by either the gerund or the infinitive are less numerous. They are : to like, to dislike, to intend, to have, to plan, to prefer, can’t bear, can’t afford, to forget, to remember, to regret.

I can’t bear you being so sad.

We can’t afford going to the cinema too often now.

As a prepositional object the gerund may follow a. monotransitive prepositional verbs b, distransitive verbs taking a direct and a prepositional object. c. adjectives and statives d. participle II generally when uses as a predicative:

1. to agree to

to consist in

to hear of

to learn of

to think of

to persist in

to count on

to depend on

to rely on

to succeed in

to look forward to

to object to

All depends on the doctor being sent for in time.

They are thinking of doing something for him.

2. to accuse of

to suspect of

to prevent from

to stop from

to assist in

to help in

to thank for

to blame for

to praise for

to punish for

to sentence for

to have no difficulty in

to congratulate smb on smth

Roy accused me of disliking him.

What prevented you from becoming a professional actor?

Who will help me in hanging these pictures?

You should blame yourself for getting such a low mark.

I had no difficulty in getting the tickets for the concert.

c)

to be afraid of

to be aware of

to conscious of

to be capable of

to be fond of

to be ignorant of

to be proud of

to be sure of

to be responsible for

to be sorry for

to be keen on

I don't have the TV too loud, because I'm afraid of disturbing the neighbours.

We are all proud of our citizen's getting the first prize.

Ned will be responsible for arranging the farewell party.

Don't be sorry about missing the first scene, it was rather dull.

4. to be accustomed

to be used to

to be absorbed in

to be engrossed in

to be (dis)pleased with (at)

to be surprised at

to be tired of

I'm not used to being talked to in that rude way.

The teacher was displeased with the boys being noisy.

We were surprised at your leaving the party.

A teacher shouldn't get tired of explaining things to his pupils.