*How to Use Gerunds For Error Spotting

Published on  Saturday, September 09, 2017  By  - Unknown

What Is the Meaning of Gerund?

A verb which has ing in it but we use that verb as a noun is a gerund i.e.
walking, sleeping, playing etc.

EX:
· He likes drinking soft-drinks.

· He hates borrowing money.

· He began playing cricket. 

Note:
In the 1st example, we have drinking, gerund but it is used as an object of
likes which is a transitive verb so we’ll call it a noun. On the other hand soft-
drinks is an object of drinking so it is a verb.
In the 2nd example, we have borrowing, gerund but it is used as an object of
hates which is a transitive verb so we’ll call it a noun. On the other hand,
money is an object of borrowing so it is a verb.
In these examples we use drinking, borrowing and playing as a noun so these
words are gerund but we all know that these are the ing form of verb. So when
an ing form of verb is used in a sentence as a noun it’s called gerund. 

Rules:
We use gerund as a subject of noun of any verb: 
o Drinking alcohol is not good for health. (√) 
o Saving is better than spending. (√) 
o He gave up trying. (√) 

We use gerund as a noun of any verb’s object: 

Ex: 
o He likes drinking soft-drinks. (√) (use of gerund as a noun) 
o He likes to drink soft-drinks. (√) (Use of infinitive with to with transitive
verb) 
In the 1st example, we have drinking, gerund but it is used as an object of
likes which is a transitive verb so we’ll call it a noun. On the other hand, soft-
drinks is an object of drinking so it is a verb. 

We use gerund after the possessive: 

Sometimes we use gerund after the possessive case i.e. 
o We appreciate you taking the time to meet us. (×) 
o We appreciate your taking the time to meet us. (√) 
In this example, it should be you’re the possessive case of you because this is
an imp. Rule of gerund in which we have to use gerund after possessive case.
In the given example a student can’t see the error easily because we always
forget this rule because every sentence of this type looks correct.

We use gerund after some special preposition: 

From, before, after, at, in, on, by, without, for, to and besides if we don’t use
gerund after these prepositions, there will be an error in our sentence so we
must remember this rule in our exam.
Ex:
o We were hopeful of win the match. (×) 
o We were hopeful of winning the match. (√) 
o After taken the lunch, he went from there. (×) 
o After taking the lunch, he went from there. (√) 
In the given sentence (2nd) we have a word after and we all know that this is
a word for duration and we use this in a perfect sentence but in the given
sentence we will use this with gerund because it is used as a preposition in
this sentence. 

We use gerund after some special words: 

Allow, permit, forbid, advice after these words we’ll use a gerund. These are
those common words that can use either a gerund or an infinitive with it.
o He allowed his son to enter the room. (√) 
o He did not allow playing in the ground. (√) 
In the 1st sentence we are using an infinitive with to with allow and on the
other hand, we are using a gerund with allow so we must know that when we
should use an infinitive or when we should use a gerund.
When we have an object in our sentence we use infinitive with to with these
words and when we don’t have an object we use gerund with these words.
o My father advised me to read a novel daily. (√) 
o My father advised reading a novel. (√) 

We use an adjective before the gerund:

Some special words:
Take =taking
Buy = buying
Love = loving
We can use these words in a sentence as a noun and adjective also. And we
have used it in our 1st rule as a noun and now we are using it as a gerund:
It becomes gerund when we use an adjective to modify a noun i.e.
He is a very loving boy. (√)
In this sentence we have an adjective very which is modify our noun so we’ll
call it a gerund.
o We use gerund as an object of any preposition: 
For explaining this rule here are two sentences in which the first sentence use
a preposition + gerund and in the other sentence, we use infinitive with to.
o Mahatma Gandhi devoted his life to helping the poor. (√) 
o Mahatma Gandhi devoted his life to the poor. (√) 
Now in the 1st sentence we, use to as a preposition while in the 2nd sentence
we use to as an infinitive with to so we can understand that when we have a
noun aft (to) it’s a gerund. 

We use gerund after some special verbs:

Appreciate, admit, avoid, deny, delay, dislike, enjoy, escape, excuse, forgive,
propose, suggest are those verbs which take gerund with themselves.
Ex:
o He proposed going to the movie. (√) 
o He postponed coming to the dinner. (√) 
o My mother enjoys cooking food. (√) 
wo Quick Gerund Rules that Make a
BIG Difference in Student Writing
Posted by Amy.Tate On April 18th, 2017 / 1 Comment

A while back, I noticed that I was constantly pointing out two common gerund mistakes in my
intermediate writing class. It prompted a mini-lesson that yielded such significant results that I now
teach these rules before my students’ first writing task, hopefully nipping some errors in the bud, and
certainly preparing them for corrections on their subsequent drafts.
When discussing gerunds, it is useful to first differentiate them from progressive verbs.
The downloadable activity starts by noting this difference, then practices the two rules below.
Rule #1: A gerund as the subject of a sentence
When an action is the subject of a sentence, we may use the gerund (-ing) form.

Error: Write is difficult for me.

Correction: Writing is difficult for me.
Students may ask if they can use the infinitive (To write is difficult for me). Sure. Be honest and say this
is technically correct. However, it’s also honest to point out that the gerund form is more common
and sounds less stilted.
Teach students that the gerund is always singular, even when a plural word follows it.

Error: Writing essays are difficult for me.

Correction: Writing essays is difficult for me.
Rule #2: A gerund as the object of a preposition
While students might have trouble remembering the correct preposition to use in any given context,
they can confidently use a gerund after any preposition.

Error: I’m interested in read news articles.

Correction: I’m interested in reading news articles.
One tricky issue involves the multi-purpose word “to.” Students have to distinguish between to as
part of an infinitive (I want  to read  news articles.) and to as a preposition. Common instances of
prepositional to  have to be taught and practiced, including look forward to and be used to.
Error: He is used to study at night.
Correction: He is used to studying at night.
Check out this downloadable activity for more classroom practice with gerunds.
 
Tense error

1. Using Inconsistent Verb Forms

One of the best ways to confuse your readers is with inconsistent verb forms. If you're
sitting down to write a short story, make a conscious decision to set it in the past or
present tense, and then stick with it.

If you'd like to take on a storytelling tone, and perhaps appoint a narrator, the past tense
could be a nice option for you. On the other hand, the present tense can create a nice
connection with your readers, making them feel like they're living in the present moment
of the story.

2. Confusing the Present Tense

The present tense has some intimidating labels: simple present tense, present perfect
tense, present continuous tense, and present perfect continuous tense. Here's the
skinny on the present tense:
Simple Present Present Perfect Tense
My friend works there. My friend worked there.
Present Perfect Continuous
Present Continuous
Tense
My friend is working
My friend has been working there.
there.
So, what's the difference between, "My friend works there" and, "My friend is working
there"? The difference is slight. "My friend works there" tells us it's a habitual action.
Beyond that, it is a statement of fact.

"My friend is working there" refers to an action taking place right now. It's continuous, or
ongoing, at this very moment. This leaves room for interpretation, as it's not to say the
friend will be working there tomorrow or next week.

3. Confusing the Past Tense

Past tense. Past perfect tense. It sounds pretty heavy. In truth, it's nothing too foreign!
They're phrases we use day in and day out, without even thinking about them. Let's
take a look:
Past Tense Past Perfect Tense
I walked the dog. I had walked the dog.
Past Continuous Past Perfect Continuous
Tense Tense
I was walking the dog. I had been walking the dog.

Notice the addition of the word "continuous" in the bottom two rows? All that means is
the action was taking place in the past at a continuous rate. It was ongoing. Think of it
like this: in the past, I walked the dog. Even before that, I had walked the dog. It's kind
of like varying degrees of past tense.

If you mention something that happened in the past and then want to reference
something that happened even earlier than that, be sure to use the past perfect tense. If
you think you'll run into past tense mistakes, consider writing your story in the present
tense.
4. Switching in and out of Present and
Past Tense
Sometimes, we write the way we speak. And, in our everyday speech, it's easy to slip
by with the wrong tense. However, the written word lives on forever (and faces the
possibility of being dissected by book clubs and lit classes everywhere). Take a look at
this example:

"Gracie! Get down here right now!" Nana yelled. Nana was a fierce drill sergeant and is
always nagging me about punctuality.

Did you catch it? Is there anything wrong with that sentence? Well, is Nana dead or
alive? Is she an active sergeant or a retired sergeant? If she's alive and well, and still
active duty, you wouldn't say, "Nana 'was' a fierce drill sergeant."

Rather, you'd use the verb "is." Also, note the change in tense again from "yelled"
(simple past) to "is always nagging" (present continuous). This bit of text would do well
to remain in the simple past or present tense.

The past tense isn't impossible to master. If you find yourself second guessing yourself
to the point where it's interfering with your love of writing, give things a try in the present
tense.

5. Misusing the Past Continuous Tense

Let's think back to the past continuous tense. That's the tense that indicates something
happened in the past, at a continuous rate. The past continuous tense is something
along the lines of, "I was walking the dog." The past perfect continuous tense is
something along the lines of, "I had been walking the dog."
 The trouble with the past continuous tense is, if it wasn't an ongoing affair in the past, all
those helping verbs and -ing words are only going to make your prose appear
cumbersome. Take a look at these two examples:

 Simple Past Tense - "He tampered with the alarm system before Nora walked
into the kitchen."
 Past Continuous Tense - "He was tampering with the alarm system before Nora
walked into the kitchen."

One isn't "right" and one isn't "wrong." It's just a matter of whether or not you want to
signify a continuous event. So, had this man finished tampering with the alarm system
before Nora walked into the kitchen? Or was he continuously tampering with the alarm
system?

6. Switching Tenses Around Dialogue

Tags
Let's end things with a little bit of conversation. It's important to watch your tenses
around dialogue tags. Take a look at this example:
Much to my surprise, he sat down next to me. Turning, I look him square in the eye.
"Don't you dare talk to me like that," I said.

Notice how, initially, we were telling the tale in the past tense ("he sat"). Then, we
moved into the present tense ("I look"). Finally, the tag at the end of the dialogue
switches to the past tense ("I said"). This bit of text would do well to remain in either the
past or present tense for consistency.
 7. Altering the Future Tense
One thing we've learned is if you start in one tense, you should generally remain in that
tense. However, the future tense likes to play by a different set of rules. Take a look at
this example. See if you can spot the error:
 I will hire you full-time when your degree will be complete.
From the standpoint of uniformity, you might think this is the proper construct. "Will hire"
is in the future tense, so shouldn't the subordinate clause also be in the future tense?
Not in this case. The proper construct is:
 I will hire you full-time you when your degree is complete.

When the verb in the main clause is in the future tense, the verb in the subordinate
clause should shift to the present tense.

Verbal Victory
How does that feel? Are you a little bit more confident in your verb tenses? Truth is, the
more you enjoy the words of esteemed writers who have a firm grasp on the English
language, the more you'll use the proper verb tense in your own writing. It'll be natural.

Guess which part of speech verbs love most? Well, there are two components of a
sentence that must always walk hand in hand. That is, the subject and the verb. Ready
to carry on while the two live in harmony? Check out these 20 rules of subject-verb
agreement.
Kit Kittelstad
M.A. Education

Common errors in the use of tenses

JULY 28, 2010 - 

 Incorrect: It is raining for two days.

 Correct: It has been raining for two days.
 Incorrect: The baby is sleeping for three hours now.
 Correct: The baby has been sleeping for three hours now.

Here the error lies in using the present continuous instead of the present perfect
continuous. We use the present perfect continuous tense to talk about an action which
started in the past, has gone on till the present and is still continuing.

 Incorrect: I have seen him yesterday.

 Correct: I saw him yesterday.
 Incorrect: He has returned from London last week.
 Correct: He returned from London last week.

Here the error lies in using the present perfect tense instead of the simple past tense.
The present perfect is a present tense. It can’t be used with adverbs of past time.
  Incorrect: See that you will not do any damage.
 Correct: See that you do not do any damage.

It is wrong to use the future tense in the subordinate clause when the verb in the main
clause is in the imperative mood.

 Incorrect:  I will call you when the dinner will be ready.

 Correct: I will call you when the dinner is ready.
 Incorrect: He will help if you will ask him.
 Correct: He will help if you ask him.

When the verb in the main clause is in the future tense, the verb in the subordinate
clause should be in the present and not in the future.

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