2.3: Appendix C- Gerund Subjects and Non-referential (“dummy”) It
- Page ID
- 375558
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)A gerund is the –ing form of a verb. Grammatically, it functions as a noun in a sentence. That is, it can be a Subject, Object, or Object of a Preposition.
Watching sports is fun for me. (gerund as Subject) I enjoy working outside. (gerund as Object)
She is not interested in learning how to sew. (gerund as Object of a Preposition)
Underline all of the -ing forms. Which of these sentences contain gerunds? If you circle “has a gerund,” also check what grammatical role the gerund is playing in the sentence.
|
Example: Taking care of a pet can be expensive. |
No gerund |
Has a gerund √ Subject __ Object __ Object of preposition |
|
1. I spend a lot of time surfing the internet. |
No gerund |
Has a gerund __ Subject __ Object __ Object of preposition |
|
2. I am taking two classes this semester. |
No gerund |
Has a gerund __ Subject __ Object __ Object of preposition |
|
3. Making new friends is sometimes difficult. |
No gerund |
Has a gerund __ Subject __ Object __ Object of preposition |
|
4. Copying other people’s words and claiming them as your own is wrong. |
No gerund |
Has a gerund __ Subject __ Object __ Object of preposition |
|
5. I never dreamed of coming to the United States. Then I got married, and I had to come. |
No gerund |
Has a gerund __ Subject __ Object __ Object of preposition |
|
6. My oldest daughter was born while I was living in Texas. |
No gerund |
Has a gerund __ Subject __ Object __ Object of preposition |
Write sentences about these gerunds and gerund phrases. Use the gerund as a subject, or use one of the following verbs that take gerund objects: enjoy, like, dislike, am interested in. Be prepared to share your sentences.
Example: (reading) Reading is fun for me. OR I enjoy reading novels.
- (reading)
- (playing soccer)
- (listening to music)
- (smoking)
- (driving in the snow)
- (washing dishes)
Write a short paragraph (4-6 sentences) about your opinion of one of these topics. Your paragraph should have a topic sentence that states your opinion.
- renting an apartment - eating fast food
- owning a pet - living in a big city
Sentences with gerund subjects that have a be verb can also be expressed with a to + V form (infinitive) in the same way as a gerund subject. However, these sentences usually begin with It.
Watching sports is fun for me. (gerund as Subject)
It is fun for me to watch sports.
The It is not pointing to any particular noun, so it is called a “non-referential It” or “dummy It.”
Change the sentences from having a gerund as Subject to It + infinitive.
(Example) Watching TV is relaxing for me. It is relaxing for me to watch TV.
- Learning English is difficult for me.
- Reading to children is important.
- Making rice is easy.
- Driving without a license is illegal.
- Traveling alone is a little scary for Jill.