of a process has a more strongly pronounced substantive quality than the Infinitive [Blokh, 2000]. Unlike the Infinitive the Gerund can be modified (can have an attribute in pre-position expressed) by a noun in the genitive case or a possessive pronoun, also the Gerund can be preceded by prepositions). The Gerund is a less dynamic non-finite form of the verb than the Infinitive, the Gerund is more general, more concentrated on the process.
The grammatical meaning of the Gerund is that of a process of the action. This is the main difference of the Gerund from the nouns of verbal origin (e.g. translation – noun of verbal origin; translating – Gerund). The noun of verbal origin conveys the result (fact) of the action of the verb, the Gerund conveys the process of the action [Кобрина, Корнеева, 2009].
The Gerund is formed by adding the suffix -ing to the stem of the verb.
Being a non-finite form of the verb the Gerund does not have the grammatical categories of person, number, tense, mood, so it can perform the syntactic function of the predicate.
The Gerund has the categories of aspect (perfect – non-perfect) and the category of voice (active – passive).
The Gerund of transitive verbs has 4 forms: the simple active, perfect active, simple passive, perfect passive. Intransitive verbs have only 2 forms of the Gerund: simple and perfect active [Blokh, 2000].
The forms of the Gerund of the transitive verb ‘write’
The forms of the Gerund of the intransitive verb ‘run’
Perfect having run -The Gerund has double nature: it has both nounal and verbal properties. :
1. Usage in the syntactic functions of the subject, predicative, object.
Subject: Seeing is beleiving.
Predicative: Seeing is beleiving.
Object: They don’t mind postponing the meeting.
2. The Gerund сan be preceded by а preposition.
What do you think of the idea of postponing the meeting?
He left without saying good-bye.
3. The Gerund сan be modified by а noun in the genitive case or by а possessive pronoun.
His (Ben’s) coming so late surprised everyone.
Verbal properties of the Gerund:
1. The Gerund of transitive verbs can take а direct object.
They don’t mind postponing the meeting.
The Gerund сan be modified by an adverb.
His coming so late surprised everyone.
He was told off for talking loudly in the library.
2. The Gerund has perfect – non perfect forms (the aspective category of retrospective coordination).
He apologised for telling lies .
He apologised for having told a lie the previous day.
NB: These distinctions of the Gerund аrе not absolute like those of a finite verb, they аrе relative; the form of the Gerund does not show whether the action refers to the present, past or future, but only whether it is with the action expressed by the finite verb or prior to it [Шрамко, Степанова, 2009 ].
The Indefinite Gerund denotes аn action simultaneous with the action expressed bу the finite verb (the predicate of the sentence), so it mау refer to the present, past and future.
He doesn’t like being late. – Present
He didn’t like being late. – Past
They won’t like his being late. – Future
The Perfect Gerund denotes an action prior to the action expressed bу the finite verb (the finite verb in the function of the predicate can be in the present, past, or future).
3. The Gerund of transitive verbs has voice distinctions.
She likes reading fairy-tales to her son.
Her son enjoys being read fairy tales.
Syntactic functions of the gerund
In а sentence the Gerund is often used as a part of a Gerundial phrase or a Gerundial construction. The Gerund can perform the following syntactic functions:
1. Subject
Speaking foreign languages well is an advantage.
Getting the job in the face of such stiff competition was a great achievement.
Reading bookshas never done any harm to anyone.
Your helping was appreciated.
The Gerund in this function can be introduced by it or there:
It’s no use going there.
There is no driving in the yard.
There is no use arguing now.
2. Predicative
My dream is travelling the world.
Sometimes doing the right thing is doing nothing at all.
This was like being someone else.
His only task was looking after the patient.
3. A part of а compound verbal predicate
– а part of а compound verbal modal predicate with the verbs or expressions having modal meaning:
She did not feel like seeing anybodythat night.
– а part of а compound verbal aspect
