The Gerund

Gerundial Complexes
A Complex Subject	A	important It is necessary smb’s advisable doing smth	It’s necessary his raising artistic standards.
B	no use It is no good smb’s useless doing smth	It’s no use your getting an extra ticket.
C	does smb’s doing did smth will do	His renewing the contract will promote success.
A Complex Predicative	A	to be for smb’s against doing smth	I’m against my daughter’s joining the dramatic society.
B	The idea is The main thing is smb’s doing The only wish is smth	The idea is our visiting this gallery.
A Complex Direct Object	A	afford can stand smb’s (not) help doing smth	I can’t stand your talking nonsense.
B	like love hate mind to avoid smb’s doing smth deny imagine finish enjoy	I don’t mind your participating in the rehearsal.
A Complex Prepositio-nal Object	to object to to be used to insist on smb’s to depend doing smth to be grateful for to be responsible	Everybody objects to your playing this part. We insist on Peter’s succeeding the director.
A Complex Attribute	plan idea method of smb’s intention doing smth opportunity	Michael’s parents didn’t like his idea of going on stage.
A Complex Adverbial Modifier	of time	on after before smb’s doing smth in	All that happened after the manager’s cancelling the performance.
of manner	by in smb’s doing smth	You improved the solo by your fulfilling it with more dramatism.
of condi-tion	without smb’s doing smth	You can’t renew the contract without your boss approving it.
of conces-sion	in spite of smb’s doing smth	In spite of the main hero being late, the performance started in time.
of attendant circumstances	without smb’s doing smth	The concert was postponed without the director being in the know.
of purpose	for the purpose of smb’s with a view to doing smth	They opened a cultural centre with a view to the actors interacting with composers.
of cause	for smb’s doing smth	I feel happy for your preserving the integrity of Ukrainian theatre.

Verbs + to Infinitive or Gerund

1 forget + to Infinitive (= forget to do sth) I'm sorry, I forgot to lock the car. forget + Gerund (= forget a past event) We'll never forget visiting Paris.

2 remember + to Infinitive (= remember to do sth) Remember to read the instructions.

remember + Gerund (= recall a past event) / don't remember meeting Al before.

3 mean + to Infinitive (= intend to)

He means to move to Newcastle.

mean + Gerund (= involve)

Working harder means getting more money.

4 go on + to Infinitive (= finish doing sth and start doing sth else) After finishing her BA, she went on to get a master's degree.

go on + Gerund (= continue) She went on watching TV.

5 regret + to Infinitive (= be sorry to)

/ regret to tell you that you have failed.

regret + Gerund (= have second thoughts about sth already done) / regret telling lies.

6 would prefer + to Infinitive (specific preference) I'd prefer to have an early night tonight.

prefer + Gerund (in general)

/ prefer reading a book to watching TV.

prefer + to Infinitive + (rather) than + Infinitive without to / prefer to read a book (rather) than watch TV.

 

7 try + to Infinitive (= do one's best; attempt) She tried hard to cope with her new job.

try + Gerund (= do sth as an experiment) Try adding some more sauce to your pasta.

 

8 want + to Infinitive (= wish)

/ want to find a belter job.

want + Gerund (= sth needs to be done)

Your dress wants cleaning.

 

9 stop + to Infinitive (= pause temporarily)

He stopped to buy some milk on his way home.

stop + Gerund (= finish; cease)

Sfop talking to each other, please!

 

10 be sorry + to Infinitive (= regret) I'm sorry to hear he has been injured.

be sorry for + Gerund (= apologise) I'm sorry for misunderstanding / having misunderstood what you said.

 

11 hate + to Infinitive (= hate what one is about to do) / hate to interrupt, but I must talk to you.

hate + Gerund (= feel sorry for what one is doing) / hate making you feel uncomfortable.

 

12 be afraid + to Infinitive (= be too frightened to do sth) I'm afraid to drive over the old bridge.

be afraid of + Gerund (= be afraid that wha is referred to by the Gerund form may happen) She is afraid of breaking her leg if she jumps over the wall.