Gerunds.docx

ESL 051/052 (Chinn) Gerunds

(adapted from Understanding and Using English Grammar, 4e, by B. Azar, Pearson/Longman 2009 and Grammar Dimensions 3 by S.H. Thewlis, Heinle and Heinle 2000)

Introduction How do people like to spend their free time? A “do-er” is active. He/she enjoys activities that keeps them busy. For example, he/she plans free time activities. A “laid back” person prefers not to busy all the time during his/her free time. Reading a magazine or book or sleeping is relaxing. He/she allows activities to happen without planning. What do you like to do during your free time?  Fill out the chart and write at least three ideas in each box. See examples.  Discuss your activities that you like to do or don’t like to do with a classmate.  Review your partner’s list and decide if he/she is a “do-er” or a “laid-back” person.  Present your findings to the class. ACTIVITIES I ENJOY Examples: reading a book going camping

Definition -acts like a noun -can be a subject or object -refers to an action that is already happening or is completed

ACTIVITIES I DON’T ENJOY Examples: sleeping in late getting up early

ACTIVITIES I MUST DO BUT DON’T ENJOY Examples: doing laundry going grocery shopping

Form Affirmative simple/base form + ing (present participle)

Examples driving singing talking

Negative not + simple/base form + ing

not drying not studying

-singular form only Is the gerund the subject or object in the sentence? I enjoy visiting a different state each summer. Swimming is good for my health. Not getting enough sleep is bad. Learning English is important. I enjoy going bowling on Saturday evenings. I hate walking in the rain.

Subject Subject Subject Subject Subject Subject

Object Object Object Object Object Object

ESL 051/052 (Chinn) Gerunds (page 2) Verbs + Gerund enjoy appreciate quit give up stop avoid postpone put off delay finish get through consider imagine suggest require urge discuss mention keep on tolerate dislike don’t mind (=don’t care) mind keep Practice! Answer the questions. Write a sentence with a gerund. Compare your answers with a classmate. 1. What do you like to do in your spare time? 2. What are some bad habits that you have?

ESL 051/ESL 052 (Chinn) Go + Gerund Go is followed by a gerund to discuss recreational activities. go biking go birdwatching go boating go bowling go camping go canoeing/kayaking

go dancing go fishing go hiking go hunting go jogging go mountain climbing

go rollerblading go running go sailing go shopping go sightseeing go skating

go skiing go skinny dipping go sledding go snorkeling go snowboarding go window shopping

Gerunds as Object of Preposition A gerund can follow a preposition: Affirmative We talked about going to Florida for vacation. Subject

Verb

Preposition Gerund

My boss is in charge of Subject

Verb

Preposition

organizing the meeting next week. Gerund

Negative = not + gerund We talked about not using that travel agent again! Subject

May

Subject

Verb

Preposition Negative Gerund

is guilty of

Verb

not finishing her assignment on time.

Preposition Negative Gerund

Common Main Verb/Preposition Combinations Followed by Gerunds be excited, be worried about doing it complain, dream, talk, think about/of doing it. be interested in doing it believe, participate, succeed in doing it be tired of/from doing it be accustomed, be committed, be devoted, look forward, object, be opposed, be used to doing it apologize, blame (someone), forgive (someone), have an excuse, have a reason to thank (someone) for doing it Your Examples: She is interested in reading books and traveling. I look forward to seeing you again. I’m excited about camping next week. I ‘m

excited

S BE (MV) adj

about PREP

camping. GERUND