University of Macerata / Lezioni lettorato / Semestre: 05 Feb – 09 May 2018 Topic 1.5 Grammar THE GERUND

THE GERUND (ING FORM, PRESENT PARTICIPLE) Terminology After Verbs After Phrasal Verbs After Expressions After Prepositions After “to” As subject As complement of “to be”

TERMINOLOGY THE GERUND - ING FORM - PRESENT PARTICIPLE TO WRITE – WRITING He was writing. (USED AS VERB: present participle) Writing is creative. (USED AS NOUN: gerund/ing form)

GERUNDS FUNCTION AS NOUNS Frank enjoys swimming more than spending time with his Girlfriend Diana. Swimming = direct object of the verb enjoys After Frank broke his leg, everyone was sorry he had to give up swimming. Swimming =after a phrasal verb Since Frank was five years old, swimming has been his passion. Swimming = subject of the verb has been. Frank's first love is swimming. Swimming = subject complement of the verb is.

GERUNDS FUNCTION AS PRESENT PARTICIPLES One day last summer, Johnny and his coach were swimming at Daytona Beach. Swimming = present participle completing the past progressive verb were swimming. A Great White shark ate Johnny's swimming coach. Swimming = present participle modifying coach. Now Johnny practices his sport in safe swimming pools. Swimming = present participle modifying pools.

GERUND AFTER VERBS *He admitted to drive too fast. They avoid going on holiday in August. Ralph is considering buying a new house. I enjoy playing chess. They finished working in the garden. Your duties include taking reservations on the phone.

I delayed telling Max the bad news. She denies reading her sister’s diary. We dislike reading poems. The project will involve growing plants. They kept trying to convince him but it was no good. He couldn't help falling in love with her.

I don't mind sleeping on the couch. I miss seeing my friends. She practised playing hockey. You risk catching a cold. She suggested flying to Cairo. The project will involve working overtime. I cannot justify paying $100 for this ticket.

GERUND AFTER PHRASAL VERBS *John ended up to stay for another year. If you carry on staying out late at night, you’ll lose your job. When will you give up smoking? She always puts off going to the dentist. He kept on asking for money. Jim ended up buying a new TV after his old one broke.

GERUND AFTER SOME EXPRESSIONS *She spent a lot of time to do it. She couldn't help falling in love with him. I can't stand being stuck in traffic jams. It's no use trying to escape. It might be worth phoning the station to check the time of the train.

GERUND AFTER PREPOSITIONS *He walked away without to look back. Can you sneeze without opening your mouth? She is good at painting. She avoided him by walking on the opposite side of the road. We arrived in Madrid after driving all night. My father decided against postponing his trip to Hungary. There's no point in waiting. In spite of missing the train, we arrived on time.

GERUND AFTER “TO” *He is used to wait for his girlfriend. I am used to waiting for buses. I look forward to hearing from you soon. She didn't really take to studying Chinese. When will you get around to fixing the broken lock on the door?

GERUND AS SUBJECT *Shout is no good. You must be patient. Eating people is wrong. Hunting tigers is dangerous. Flying makes me nervous. Brushing your teeth is important. Smoking causes lung cancer.

GERUND AS THE COMPLEMENT OF THE VERB 'TO BE‘ GERUND AS THE COMPLEMENT OF THE VERB 'TO BE‘ *One of his bad habits is bite his nails. One of his duties is attending meetings. The hardest thing about learning English is understanding the gerund. One of life's pleasures is having breakfast in bed.