GERUNDS

AND CLAUSES WITH BECAUSE

 GERUNDS
A gerund is a special type of verb form that functions as a noun within a
sentence. We use gerunds regularly in daily life! 

A gerund can be used as a subject or an object. For e.g.

• Drinking excessively is bad for your health.

• The most important part of my morning routine is showering.
• I love to go swimming.
 TYPES OF GERUNDS

There are six main types of gerunds. Let's look at them now.
• Gerunds as subjects - Gerunds can function as the main subject of the sentence, e.g. 'Swimming is great’
• Gerunds as a subject complement - Gerunds can also complement the main subject e.g. 'My favourite hobby is
swimming'. Here, the subject is 'favourite hobby' and the complement is 'swimming'.
• Gerunds as direct objects - Gerunds can function as the object of the sentence, e.g. 'Mum came to admire my
swimming.'
• Gerunds as an object complement -e.g. 'I saw Will's swimming earlier'. Here, the subject is I, the object
is Will, and the object complement is swimming.
• Gerunds as objects of a preposition - Gerunds can also follow a preposition e.g. 'I am interested in swimming.'
• Gerunds as objects of a possessive - Gerunds can be the object of a possessive e.g. 'He doesn't like her
swimming.'
GRAMMAR FOCUS
 GERUNDS VS. PRESENT PARTICIPLE

The present participle is a verb form which describes a current action. It is formed by ending

the inflection '-ing' to the base form of the verb.
Here are some examples of sentences with present participles;
• Tim is wearing his new shirt.
• While Jane was running she experienced an asthma attack.
• Rachel heard me crying yesterday.
• Can you tell the difference between these examples and the previous examples?
In these examples, the -ing words refer to an action that is or was ongoing. They are verbs
acting as verbs in the sentence.
Remember: Present participles act as verbs in a sentence; gerunds act as nouns in a sentence.
 GERUNDS VS. INFINITIVE

Sometimes we have no choice but to use gerunds as particular verbs can only be followed by
gerunds (e.g. running) and not infinitives (e.g to run).
Here is an example of a verb that can be followed by either a gerund or the infinitive form:
• Despite my warnings, you continue to speak.
• Despite my warnings, you continue speaking.
The sentence remains grammatically correct if the infinitive (to speak) is replaced by the gerund
(speaking).
However, not every verb can be followed by either an infinitive or gerund. Some verbs become
grammatically incorrect if the gerund is replaced with an infinitive, and vice versa.
 GERUNDS VS. INFINITIVE

Example:
• I recommend using the Internet for research purposes.
• I recommend to use the Internet for research purposes.
If our gerund (using) is replaced with an infinitive, the sentence becomes grammatically incorrect.
• Recommend is one of the verbs that must be followed by a gerund.
Here are some other verbs that are only followed by gerunds:
• Stop: Stop running down the road.
• Enjoy: I really enjoy reading before bed.
• Keep: Michael keeps forgetting to turn the lights off.
• Justify: You really cannot justify deciding to leave.
• Finish: Did you finish washing the dishes?
 VERBS THAT TAKE ONLY
GERUNDS

Appreciate Avoid Keep Mention

Delay Mind
Deny Discuss Recommend
Miss Postpone Resent suggest
Dislike Enjoy Quit
Excuse Finish
Understand Recall
CLAUSES WITH BECAUSE
 Vocabulary
1. Gregarious – sociable
2. Level-headed – calm in difficult situations
3. Assertive - confident
4. Resilient - be able to get over problems
5. Sensitive – have an appreciation of the feelings of others.
6. Resourceful - creative
7. Tactful - be careful not to say anything that upsets or embarrasses
others
8. Sympathetic - help people out with personal problems
9. Sensible - be able to judge things well, showing common sense
10. Persuasive - get other people to agree with you
11. Dependable - be reliable to other people
12. Upbeat - optimistic
 
 EXAMPLES OF CLAUSES WITH
BECAUSE
I would like to be a tour guide because I´m good at speaking with people.

I would make a good lawyer because I´m very persuasive.

I would be a good flight attendant because I´m very communicative.

I wouldn´t be a good doctor because I can´t stand the sight of blood.

I could never be a good chef because I´m the clumsy type when it comes to preparing food.
 EXAMPLES OF CLAUSES WITH
BECAUSE

I wouldn´t want to be a stockbroker because I´m not perseverant.

I would make a good career counsellor because I´m a good advisor.

I would never be an IT technician because I dislike computer systems.

I could be a surveyor because I love working outdoors.

I´d love to be an agricultural engineer because I have analytical skills.

GRAMMAR FOCUS
GRAMMAR FOCUS