G. Functions of the Gerund in the sentence

As the gerund combines features of a verb and a noun, it can perform a whole range of functions in the sentence.

a) as the Subject: Working with him was fun.

The gerund is more often used at the beginning of a sentence than the infinitive. Still, it is also common to introduce the gerund in a sentence with the help of pronoun it: It was difficult persuading him.

There are a few fixed phrases which begin with introductory it and are followed by the gerund or gerundial construction – it is fun, it is no/little use, it is no good, it is (not) worth: It is no use us trying to prove this theorem.

I don’t think it’s worth explaining it in more details.

It’s worth paying attention to what he says.

A single gerund as subject can also be introduced by there:

There is no denying his talent.

There is no telling which of them will get the results first.

b) as the Predicative (commonly after the link verb be):

Her only fun was reading books.

The example I gave was measuring a distance by arranging matches end to end.

It should be distinguished from participle 1 as a part of the progressive (continuous) verb tense:

She was reading a book. (participle 1)

c) as an Object used directly after verbs or after verbs with prepositions. The gerund, like the infinitive, is widely used in this function after certain verbs and expressions that you are supposed to remember:

to admit

to appreciate

to avoid

cannot help

to carry on

to consider

to delay

to deny

to dislike

to enjoy

to fancy

to finish

to give up

to imagine

to include

to involve

to justify

to keep (on)

to mention

to mind

to put off/to postpone

to require

to risk

to suggest

She kept (on) saying that she was worried.

She risks failing the exam.

I appreciated hearing from them.

He considered speaking at the conference.

In spite of the noise she carried on writing.

The gerund is also used after a number of verbs with prepositions:

to account for

to accuse of

to agree to

to aid in

to aim at

to approve of

to apologize for

to complain of

to depend on

to differ in

to dream of/about

to feel like

to insist on

to look like

to object to

to persist in

to prevent from

to rely on

to result from

to result in

to succeed in

to suspect of

to think of

He dreamed of solving the problem.

She apologized for disturbing us.

I object to their coming here.

The gerund is used after the following prepositional expressions:

to be aware of

to be capable of

to be fed up with

to be fond of

to be tired of

to be for/against

to be/get used to

to be happy about

to be proud of

to be sure of

to be surprised at

to be worth

to have difficulty in

to look forward to

there is no point in

what’s the use of…?

I am used to getting up early.

The risk is worth taking.

What’s the use of waiting?

I will be looking forward to speaking to him.

She had difficulty (in) finding the book.

*There are a number of verbs which can be followed by either the infinitive or the gerund with difference in meaning.

To remember: Remember to lock the door.

She remembered talking to him.

To forget: I forgot to ask him.

She forgot ever going there.

To regret: I regret to inform you that…

You will regret doing nothing in this situation.

To stop: He stopped trying to solve the problem.

He stopped to discuss the problem with a colleague.

To go on: He went on talking for hours.

He welcomed us and went on to offer us some drinks.

To prefer: in the affirmative we can use both the infinitive and the gerund with practically no difference in meaning: I prefer staying/to stay at home. To express a particular action in the past the infinitive is commonly used: I preferred to stay at home. Note also the usual patterns with prefer:

I prefer solving problems to proving theorems.

I prefer to solve problems than (to) prove theorems.

**Two options are possible with the verbs advise, intend, recommend:

1) verb + gerund: She advised talking to him.

He intended staying till the end.

He recommended limiting the number of equations considered.

2) verb+(pro)noun+infinitive:

He advised me not to insist on it.

The scientific advisor didn’t recommend him to change the

approach.

d) as an Attribute after nouns or pronouns with the preposition of

They had a feeling of being able to find the solution..

I considered the possibility of joining them.

They give the impression of not working hard enough.

e) as an Adverbial Modifier (also preceded by a preposition):

On closing the door she remembered that she hadn’t turned off the light.

The whole evening was spent in deciding whether to do it or not.

It turned out that this method was used for solving a number of equations.

You cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs. (a proverb)