The Gerund

The gerund is the non-finite verb form which also combines the properties of the verb with those of a noun. Similar to the infinitive, it serves as the verbal name of the process, but it has a stronger substantive quality. As different from the infinitive, and similar to the noun, the gerund can be modified by a noun in the possessive (or common) case or a pronoun (expressing the subject of the verbal process) – The driver’s(his) being rude like that was disgusting. I read about the hostages having been released. -, and it can be used with prepositions.

The combinability of the gerund is also dual, sharing some features of the verb (inside the construction) with some of the noun. The verb-type combinability is shown in combination with nouns-objects, modifying adverbs, semi-functional predicator verbs (start doing, can’t stand doing). Of the noun-type is combinability with finite notional verbs as the object, subject, as prepositional adjunct (object, attribute, modifier), with nouns as prepositional adjunct.

The functions of gerund in the sentence can be:

Subject – Repeating your accusations doesn’t make them more convincing.

Object – He delayed breaking news.

Prepositional object – He didn’t object against our coming here.

Predicative – Luck is believing you’re lucky.

Attribute – There is a pleasant prospect of listening to her story.

The formal sign of the gerund is homonymous with that of the present participle, it is the suffix – ing added to its categorially (not semantically) leading element.

The gerund distinguishes two grammatical categories: the aspect of retrospective coordination and voice. The paradigm includes four forms:

	simple	perfect
active	taking	Having taken
passive	Being taken	Having been taken

Non-objective verbs don’t have passive forms (go).

Since the meaning of the infinitive and the gerund is similar, the reason of usage of the infinitive after verbs want, expect, and the like, and the gerund after avoid, delay, deny, and the like, lies in semantic shade of infinitive having the meaning of purpose, which can be proved by transformation – I want to come. – I want it to happen so, in order me to come. – I deny coming. – I deny the fact, the thing of coming. – It is also brightly reflected in the use of gerund/infinitive with stop, remember and try.

Non-Finite Verbs

Participles

The present participle is the non-finite form of the verb which combines the properties of the verb with those of the adjective and adverb, serving as the qualifying name of the process. The term “present” has nothing to do with time, it is only traditional, can be called “participle I”, or “active”.

It has the derivation morpheme homonymous with the gerund, and completely the same paradigm.

Since it possesses some traits both of adjective and adverb, the present participle is triple by its lexico-grammatical properties, which is displayed in its combinability and syntactic functions.

The verb-type is revealed in being combined with nouns as objects, subjects (in semi-predicative complexes), with modifying adverbs, with the auxiliary finite verbs (word-morphemes) in the analytical forms if the verb. The adjective-type combinability of the present participle is revealed in its association with the modified nouns, modifying adverbs (of degree). The adverb-type combinability is revealed in its association with the modified verbs.

The functions of the present participle:

Predicative – The questions became (were) irritating.

Attributive – She gave treatment to the surviving baby. – On the pavement there was a man watching the people. – He was an inquisitive man, always watching the people.

Adverbial modifier of manner – He ran away, shouting loudly.

Adverbial modifier of cause – Having read the papers, she believed everything.

The present participle, like the infinitive, can build up semi-predicative complexes of objective and subjective types. The two groups of complexes, the infinitival and pariticpial, may exist in parallel (for example, with verbs of physical perception), the difference between them lying in the aspective presentation of the process: Nobody noticed them approach the house. – Nobody noticed them approaching the house.

Detached semi-predicative constructions with causal meaning – The messenger waiting in the hall, we had only a couple of minutes to make a decision.

Since the gerund and the present participle have similar structure and categories, there is a problem of whether they are one form with broader meaning and functions. But gerund forms an opposition with the infinitive and the present participle – with the past participle. They make different objects: I felt annoyed at his/him failing to see my point at once. – He wasn’t against Elen’s/Elen using the argument.

His use is called “half-gerund” and the difference in use is really very little. But these are intermediary elements, and polar elements show clear noun-related meaning and function of the gerund and adjective-related function and meaning of the participle.

• This was a false, but convincing show of affection – He answered without any pause or planning. There is also conversion of gerund into noun and participle into adjective: - your airing the room – take an airing before going to bed.

Animals living in the jungle – living languages.

The past participle is the non-finite form of the verb which combines the properties of the verb with those of the adjective. It is a single form, having no paradigm. It conveys implicitly (неявно) the categories of perfect and passive. The main functions of the past participle are those of the attribute and the predicative.

• Her softened look gave him a new hope. – It was a victory gained against all the rules. – The light is inconveniently placed for reading.

The past participle is included in the structural formation of the present participle (perfect, passive). In the attributive use, the meaning of past participle as perfect and passive is expressed in correlation with the lexico-grammatical character of the verb. The attributive past participle of limitive verbs expresses priority, while the past part. of the unlimitive verbs expresses simultaneity: - A tree broken by the storm – The picture admired by the public.

Like the present participle, the past participle is capable of making up semi-predicative constructions of complex object, complex subject and of absolute complex. – I want the document prepared for signing. Will you have my coat brushed up? (object) A shot could be heard fired (subject). The absolute past participial complex as a rule expresses priority in the correlation of two events: The preliminary talks completed, it became possible to concentrate on the central point of the agenda.

The past participles of non-objective verbs are rarely used in independent sentence-part position, they are mostly included in phraseological combinations: faded photographs, fallen leaves, a retired officer, a withered flower, dream come true. They can be used as adverbial modifiers of cause and concession: Called up by the minority the convention failed to pass a satisfactory resolution. – Though welcomed heartily by his host, he felt at once that something was wrong.