Gerund

THE GERUND

Read this sentence:-Reading is his favourite pastime.

The word reading is formed from the Verb read, by adding ing.

We also see that it is here used as the Subject of a verb, and hence does the work of a Noun. It is, therefore, a Verb-Noun, and is called a Gerund.

Further examples of Gerund:-

Playing cards is not allowed here.

I like reading poetry.

He is fond of hoarding money.

In sentence 1, the Gerund, like a noun, is the subject of a verb, but, like a verb, it also takes an object, thus clearly showing that it has also the force of a verb.

In sentence 2, the Gerund, like a noun, is the object of a verb but, like a verb, it also takes an object, thus clearly showing that it has also the force of a verb.

In sentence 3, the Gerund, like a noun, is governed by a preposition, but, like a verb, it also takes an object.

It will be noticed that the Infinitive and the Gerund are alike in being used as Nouns, while still retaining the power that a Verb has of governing another noun or pronoun in the objective case.

Def.- A Gerund is that form of the verb which ends in -ing, and has the force of a Noun and a verb.

As both the Gerund and the Infinitive have the force of a Noun and a Verb, they have the same uses. Thus in many sentences either of them may be used without any special difference in meaning; as,

Teach me to swim.

To see is to believe.

Teach me swimming.

Seeing is believing.

To give is better than to receive.

Giving is better than receiving.

 The following sentences contain examples of Compound Gerund forms:-

I heard of his having gained a prize. We were fatigued on account of having walked so far. They were charged with having sheltered anarchists. He is desirous of being praised. It will be noticed that Compound Gerund forms are formed by placing a Past Participle after the Gerunds of have and be.

 The Gerund of a Transitive verb has the following forms:-

Active

Present: loving

Perfect: having loved

Passive

Present: being loved

Perfect: having been loved

As both the Gerund and the Present Participle end in -ing, they must be carefully distinguished.

The Gerund has the force of a Noun and a verb; it is a Verbal Noun.

The Present Participle has the force of an Adjective and a Verb; it is a Verbal Adjective.

Examples of Gerund-

He is fond of playing cricket.

The old man was tired of walking.

We were prevented from seeing the prisoner.

Seeing is believing.

Examples of Participle -

Playing cricket, he gained health.

Walking along the road, he noticed a dead cobra.

Seeing, he believed.

Read this sentence:

The indiscriminate reading of novels is injurious.

The reading is used like an ordinary Noun.

Notice that the is used before and of after it.

Further examples of Gerunds used like ordinary Nouns:

The making of the plan is in hand.

The time of the singing of the birds has come.

A dam consented to the eating of the fruit.

The middle station of life seems to be the most advantageously situated for the gaining of wisdom.

In such Compound nouns as walking-stick

frying-pan hunting-whip, fencing-stick, writing-table,

walking, frying, hunting, fencing, writing are Gerunds.

They mean ‘a stick for walking,’ ‘a pan for frying,’ ‘a whip for hunting,’ ‘a stick for fencing,’ and ‘a table for writing.’

Compare the following two sentences:

I hope you will excuse my leaving early.

I hope you will excuse me leaving early.

In the first sentence the word preceding the gerund is in the possessive case, while in the second sentence it is in the objective case. Both the sentences are correct. We can use either the possessive case or objective case of nouns and pronouns before gerunds. The possessive is more formal, and it is less usual in everyday speech. Here are further examples:

We rejoiced at his/him being promoted.

I insist on your/you being present.

Do you mind my/me sitting here?

All depends on Karim's/Karim passing the exam.

I disliked the manager's/manager asking me personal questions.

The accident was due to the engine-driver's/engine-driver disregarding the signals.

Use of the Gerund

A Gerund being a verb-noun may be used as -

(1) Subject of a verb: as Seeing is believing.

Hunting deer is not allowed in this country.

Object of a transitive verb; as, Stop playing.

Children love making mud castles. I like reading poetry.

He contemplated marrying his cousin.

Object of a preposition; as, I am tired of waiting.

He is fond of swimming.

He was punished for telling a lie.

We were prevented from seeing the prisoner. I have an aversion to fishing,

Complement of a verb; as,

Seeing is believing.

What I most detest is smoking.

Absolutely; as,

Playing cards being his aversion, we did not play bridge.

Exercise in Grammar

Point out the Participles and Gerunds in the following sentences. In the case of the Participle, name the noun or pronoun which it qualifies. In the case of the Gerund, state whether it is subject, object, complement, or used after a preposition.

He was found fighting desperately for his life.

He has ruined his sight by reading small print.

Hearing the noise, he ran to the window.

We saw a clown standing on his head.

Asking questions is easier than answering them.

Waving their hats and handkerchiefs, the people cheered the king.

Walking on the grass is forbidden.

Jumping over the fence, the thief escaped.

The miser spends his time in hoarding money.

Much depends on Rama's returning before noon.

Amassing wealth often ruins health.

I was surprised at Hari's being absent.

We spent the afternoon in playing cards.

The miser hated spending money.

She was angry at Saroja trying to He to her.

Praising all alike is praising none.

Are you afraid of his hearing you?

I determined to increase my salary by managing a little farm.

Success is not merely winning applause.

The year was spent in visiting our rich neighbours.

Singing to herself was her chief delight.

He preferred playing football to studying his lessons.

I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word.

1 cannot go on doing nothing.