In English, Gerund is called that part of speech that includes the properties of a verb and a noun. Finding it in the text is not difficult - as a rule, it is a verb word, but with the ending "-ing". However, this is not a verb in a long form - the gerund is designated more likely as a noun. And not only. By the way, this form of the verb is used in many languages, but there is no equivalent in Russian grammar.
Definition
Gerundium is a modified form of the verb with the ending "-ing". It has the properties of a noun, that is, it can answer the questions "who?" or "what?" In accordance with the rules for gerund in the English language, this verb has an impersonal form, that is, it does not vary in number, face or declension. In addition, gerund is used without an article.
If you translate a sentence with gerund, in some cases it will sound more like a noun, although it is characterized as a verb. For example, the phrase "I don’t like getting up early, but I have to" can be translated as "Early rises are not for me, but I don’t have to choose," or "I don’t like to get up early, but I have to." This is an example of simple gerund in active voice as its most common form.
Tasks of verbs with the ending “-ing”
In English, the functions of gerund are very different and broad. To clearly identify them, we give their definitions and several examples.
1. Subject
When the gerund in the sentence is subject, it is translated as a noun, that is, it answers the question "who? What?". In addition, gerund can answer the question "what to do?" in the context of a phrase or phrase. Recalling the lessons of Russian grammar, the predicate is part of the sentence, which indicates a certain action or condition of objects. Here are some examples of gerund in English, followed by translation.
Subject function| Original | Transfer |
| Learning a Japanese is not easy. | Learning Japanese is not easy. |
| Problem solving is a part of almost every person's daily life both at home and in the workplace. | Problem solving is part of the everyday life of almost every person - both at home and in the workplace. |
| Overcoming these scientific prejudices is beyond the scope of this reply. | Overcoming these scientific prejudices is beyond the scope of this answer. |
2. Definition
When using gerund as a definition, it is placed after or before the defined word. In this case, the preposition "for" or "of" is used. As a definition, gerund is most often translated by a noun.
Function definition| Original | Transfer |
| The school adopts a method of transliterating the English words with Greek characters. | The school uses the transliteration method of English words with Greek characters. |
| He didn't like the idea for going on river trip. | He did not like the idea of going on a river trip. |
| Mastering audio requires years of training and practice. | Mastering sound requires many years of training and practice. |
| He wondered about the implications of using this approach in the energy services sector as compared with other services sectors. | He raised the question of the implications of applying this approach to the energy services sector compared to other industries. |
3. Circumstances
When the gerund fulfills the functions of circumstance, it is always presented with prepositions of time or mode of action. It is more common in book language than in colloquial language.
The gerund, functioning in the text as a circumstance, is translated as a noun or as a special form of the verb - participle.
Function of circumstance| Original | Transfer |
After reading a book, Ryan puts it down for about 2 weeks. | After reading the book, Ryan puts it off for two weeks. |
| The RFID chip is sewn inside a label that very clearly says "Please remove before wearing". | The RFID tag is sewn into a label that says: "Please remove before use." |
How to cut back on sugar without noticing? | How to reduce sugar intake without noticing it? |
4. Addition
Gerundium complement in sentences is translated as a noun or verb and is put after the predicate. It supplements the phrase, as if explaining the preceding verb.
Add-on function| Original | Transfer |
| He mentioned having read it in the magazine. | He mentioned that he read it in a magazine. |
| I suggested watching the next episode. | I suggested watching the next episode. |
| Have you finished explaining the rules? | Have you finished explaining the rules? |
Also, the verb with the ending "-ing" is used in cases where after the verb some addition with the pretext "from" is required:
- They are not prevented from using these pages, but it is very inconvenient for them. - They are not forbidden to use these pages, but for them it is very inconvenient.
- Journalists were banned from attending any unauthorized demonstrations. - Journalists were forbidden to attend any unauthorized demonstrations.
5. The nominal part of the compound predicate.
In this case, the verb with the ending "-ing" is put after the verb "to be".
The predicate name function| Original | Transfer |
Her hobby is bodybuilding. | Her hobby is bodybuilding. |
| I enjoy playing jazz. | I like to play jazz. |
Forms of gerund
| Valid / active deposit | Passive / Passive voice |
| Indefinite | 1) the verb + "-ing" | 2) being + verb in 3rd form |
Perfect | 3) having + a verb in the 3rd form | 4) having been + verb in 3rd form |
As shown in the table, gerund changes in temporary forms and has 4 types. Forms of gerund in the English language can be divided into two subspecies: in active and passive voice.
- The form in indefinite time is most often used and means the action that occurs at the same time as the main verb-predicate: I like singing in the rain. - I like to sing in the rain.
- The second form indicates a certain action that an object or subject is experiencing: A great deal of work is being done to enhance the skills of law-enforcement officials. - A lot of work is being done to improve the skills of law enforcement officials.
- The third form expresses a certain action that occurred earlier than the action that conveys the predicate. For example: She regretted now having made this call. “She regrets now that she made this call.” Sequence of actions: first she called, then regretted it.
- In the fourth form, gerund expresses the action that preceded the action and is used in a passive voice. That is, the action was tested on the object / subject. For example: We remember having been shown the picture. - We remember that we were shown this picture.
When is both gerund and infinitive used?
There are parts of speech denoting an action for which it is allowed to use both the infinitive verb (to do - what to do) and the verb ending with "-ing". Such universal verbs include:
- to continue - continue;
- to begin - to begin;
- to learn - to learn;
- to start - start / start;
- to need - to need;
- to try - to try;
- to mean - mean, mean;
- to love - to love;
- to neglet - neglect.
For example, "I tried to jump over puddle" would be the same as "I tried jumping over puddle". Translation: "I tried to jump over a puddle."
Also, the identical meaning will be if you use the sentence "It started to snow" or "It started snowing". Translation: "Snow has begun."
Gerund or infinitive in different meanings
In sentences after the verb "to stop" the use of the infinitive and gerund in the English language is allowed, but the semantic load is different. Consider two such cases:
- When the gerund is used after the word "stop": They stopped talking when teacher came in. - They stopped talking / stopped the conversation when the teacher came in; I stopped eating dairy a month ago - I stopped eating dairy products a month ago.
- When the infinitive is used after the word "stop": They stopped to talk a little - They stopped to talk a little; The driver stopped to make way for an elderly woman - The driver stopped to skip the elderly woman.
In these examples, you will notice that when gerund is used, the execution of an action is terminated. If after the word “stop” an infinitive verb is used, the action stops to start another action.
In addition to the verb "to stop", the meaning of the following verbs also changes:
- to remember - remember;
- to forget - to forget;
- to regret - regret;
- to go on - continue.
In which cases to use gerund, and in which infinitive?
In English, gerund or the indefinite form of the verb is used in different ways. More precisely, a number of verbs are supposed to be used only with gerund, others with the infinitive. Some verbs allow the use of both of these forms. To more accurately understand the meanings of these verbal parts of speech, we present a comparison table.
| Gerund | Infinitive |
A more generalized action, and a longer one: Grass began sprouting up a week ago. - The grass began to sprout a week ago. | Means a more accurate and shorter action: He managed to get to the exam on time. - He managed to come to the exam in time. |
Gerund refers to a certain long-term effect that is associated with the present and past tense: I regret having had to speak in such general terms. - I regret that I had to speak in such general terms. | In an infinitive form, the action relates more to the future tense: But we hope to see some tangible progression the weeks to come. “But we hope to see tangible progress in the coming weeks.” |
The verbs “forget” - “forget” and “remember” - “remember”, are used in gerund when the narrative is about a completed action. For example: Nicole forgot meeting me in Italy. “Nicole forgot to meet me in Italy.” I remember buying a new phone at the supermarket. - I remember that I bought a new phone in this supermarket. | The verbs "forget" - "forget" and "remember" - "remember" are used in the infinitive if some action is not performed, but remembered, or if forgotten. For example: Emily forgot to call me back. “Emily forgot to call me back.” Just remember to show us your eyes and exit stage left. - Just do not forget to show us your eyes and remember that leaving the stage to the left. |
English gerund exercises
To consolidate knowledge, we will perform a small test with several options:
1. Do you like_____serials on TV? (Do you like watching TV?)
- watch
- watched
- watches
- watching
2. Thank you for_____ me. (Thanks for helping me)
- helping
- help
- to help
- helped
3. I'm afraid of _____ errors. (I'm afraid to make mistakes)
- to make
- made
- make
- making
4. It is important _____. (It is important to note)
- to note
- noting
- note
- noted
5. Student: This task is too hard. I can't solve it. Teacher: Is it really too difficult for you _____? (Student: This task is too difficult. I cannot solve it. Teacher: Is it really too difficult for you to solve this problem?)
- solving
- solve
- to solve
- solved
Answers to the gerund exercise in English:
1-d; 2-a; 3-d; 4-a; 5-c.
Gerund exercise
In this exercise, you need to form the gerund from the word in brackets and practice translating the sentences. For example: Blowing bubbles is fun! - Blowing bubbles is fun!
- _____ too much TV gives Mr. Crabster a headache. (watch)
- _____ to loud music is bad for your ears. (listen)
- I think _____ stamps is an interesting hobby. (collect)
- _____ is the activity of trying to catch fish. (fish)
- _____ is the most preventable cause of cancer in the world. (smoke)
conclusions
So to summarize:
- Gerund in the English language is a kind of intermediate concept between a noun and a verb. It is simply difficult to call a noun from the verb gerund, since this part of speech has temporary forms, an active and passive voice, can be used in a sentence as an adverb.
- Gerund can be called a multifunctional verb - it can be subject, circumstance, complement, definition and predicate. It depends on the prepositions that are used in the phrase.
- Of course, in colloquial speech, gerund can be used not so often, especially its complex forms. However, it happens that native speakers use gerund in their speech.
- The gerund and the infinitive can be translated the same way. However, some verbs are used only with gerund, and some with the infinitive. There are general verbs that allow the use of two verb groups, as well as verbs that change their meaning, for example, the verb "to stop", "to forget", "to remenber".