The Definition and The Function Of Gerund

The Definition of Gerund Gerund is a verb when it acts as noun, gerund can act as the subject or object of a man verb.

The rules of using Gerund Gerunds are used after preposition, but not usually after to. The gerund looks identical to the present participle which is used after auxiliary verb to be but are not the same as they do not function as main verbs. Gerund are used after certain words and expressions, as is the infinitive so it is useful to try learn which form an adjective.

Verb Patterns With The Gerund

Verbs that are normally followed by the gerund include: e.g : admit, adore, anticipate, cant, stand, carry on, contemplate, deny, describe, detest, dislike, fancy ,finish ,give up, keep, keep on, justify, postpone, simply, etc We postpone making any decision. I detest going to the cinema. They denied having avoided me. Verbs followed by a gerund or a to-infinitive with littile change in meaning e.g : begin, continue, start, hate, like, love, prefer. With would, the verbs hate, like, love and prefer are usually followed by the to-infinitive. With a change in meaning dread and hate. These two verbs are followed by a to-infinitive when taliking hypothetically (usually when using to think), but by a gerund when talking about general dislike.

 I dread / hate to think what she will do. I dread / hate I seeing him. Forget and remember When these have meanings which are used to talk about the future from the given time, the to-infinitive is used, but when looking back in time, the gerund. She forgot to tell me our plans. (She did not tell me, though she should have) She forgot telling me our plans.(She told me, but then forgot having done so) I remembered to go to work. (I remembered that I needed to go to work, and so I did) I remembered going to work. (I remembered the action of previously going to work)

Gerund as Subject,Object or Complement

Try to think of gerunds as verbs in noun form. Like nouns, gerund can be the subject,object or complement a sentences Smoking costs a lot of money. I dont like writing. My favourite occupation is reading. But like a verb, a gerund can also have an object itself. In this case, the whole expressions (gerund+object) can be the subject, object or complement of the sentence. Smoking ciggaretes costs a lot of money. I dont like writing letters. My favourite occupation is reading detective stories. Like nouns, we can use gerunds with adjectives (including articles and other determiners): pointless questioning, a settling of debts, the making of Titanic, his drinking of alcohol. But when we use a gerund with an article, it doesnt usually take a direct object: A settling of debts (not a settling debts) Making Titanic was expensive. The making of Titanic was expensive.

Negative form Gerunds

Bentuk negative gerunds dibuat dengan dengan menempatkan adverb NOT di depan gerund tersebut. Contoh: She regretted not seeing her boyfriend last weekend. (Dia menyesal tidak bertemu pacarnya akhir pekan lalu). Students are usually worried of not getting good grades. (Murid biasanya cemas tidak akan mendapatkan nilai bagus). The criminal insisted on not telling the truth even though the policemen had tortured him. (Penjahat itu bersikeras tidak menceritakan yang sebenarnya walaupun polisi telah menyiksanya).