Wednesday, March 25, 2009

English Grammar Point: Gerunds as Subject, Object or Complement

buzz this

Gerunds are verbal nouns.

Like nouns, gerunds can be the subject, object or complement of a sentence:

  • Smoking costs a lot of money.
  • I don't like exercising.
  • My favorite job is eating.



Buy English Grammar Books Now!

But, like a verb, a gerund can also have an object itself. In this case, the whole expression [gerund + object] can be the subject, object or complement of the sentence.

  • Smoking cigarettes costs a lot of money.
  • I don't like exercising my body.
  • My favorite job is reading romance stories.

Like nouns, we can use gerunds with adjectives (including articles and other determiners):

  • pointless questioning
  • a settling of debts
  • the making of ET
  • her drinking of alcohol

But when we use a gerund with an article, it does not usually take a direct object:

  • a settling of debts (not a settling debts)
  • Making "ET" was expensive.
  • The making of "ET" was expensive.

Hire your own English Coach

Do gerunds or other parts of English grammar bedevil you?
If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

No comments: