- •1.3.1 Infinitive as subject (Additional Information)
- •1.3.2 The infinitive as object (Additional Information)
- •(Verbals)
- •Verbal Predicate
- •The infinitive
- •The infinitive can be:
- •1.1 Forms of the infinitive
- •1.2. The bare infinitive and the to-infinitive the use of the bare infinitive
- •1.2.1 “Let”, “make”, “would rather/ sooner” and “had better”
- •1.3. The functions of the infinitive
- •1.4.1 The for-to-infinitive construction
- •In translating this construction into Russian a subordinate clause or an infinitive is used.
- •Sentence patterns with the for-phrase
- •Practice
- •1.4.2 The Objective with the Infinitive Construction (Complex object)
- •1.4.3 The subjective infinitive construction (complex subject) (the Nominative-with-the-lnfinitive Construction)
- •Participle
- •Participle as predicative:participle I as predicative
- •Participle II as predicative
- •Participle as attribute participle I as attribute
- •Participle II as attribute
- •Participle as object Participle I may function as part of a predicative construction entering into a predicative relationship with some nominal element and forming a syntactical unit with it.
- •Participle as adverbial modifier participle I as adverbial modifier
- •Participle II as adverbial modifier
- •Gerund The Gerund
- •The Grammatical Categories of the Gerund
- •The Forms of the Gerund The Category of Correlation (perfect – non-perfect)
- •The Category of Voice (active – passive)
- •Syntactical Functions of the Gerund
- •The Gerund as Subject
- •The Gerund as Object
- •The Gerund as Attribute
- •The Gerund as Adverbial Modifier
Gerund 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. Gerunds of both transitive and intransitive verbs can be modified by adverbs and prepositional phrases functioning as adverbial modifiers.
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 category of correlation finds its expression, as with other verb forms, in the contrast of non-perfect (indefinite) and perfect forms.
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 perfect gerund is invariable in indicating priority, whereas according to the context the action denoted by the non- prefect gerund may precede or follow the action denoted by the finite verb. The non-perfect gerund denotes a prior action thanks to the lexical meaning of the main verb or the preposition suggesting priority.
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.