Catenative verb and gerunds

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HiPlease explain the following about catenative verbs and gerunds i would be very thankful.I know basic definition of gerunds and infinitive, participlesI know catenative verbs Is it correct to say that catenative verbs are either followed by a gerund/ infinitive or participle.Since second verb often works  as nouns(gerund or infinitive) Like in eg. I was amazed seeing him playing (gerund)/play(infinitive) pianoOr i have seen him drive(infinitive) the car before.Even though these are verbs (playing, play, drive) etc but they are working as noun. please confirm.Also since gerunds take objects unlike nouns or Nominalized verb, thus i think these cannot be called one even though they are behaving as a nounCorrect?

BillJ · Accepted Answer

anonymousIs it correct to say that catenative verbs are either followed by a gerund/ infinitive or participle.

Yes, mainly by gerund-participial (-ing) clauses and infinitival ones.

anonymousSince second verb often works as nouns(gerund or infinitive) Like in eg. I was amazed seeing him playing (gerund)/play(infinitive) piano, or I have seen him drive(infinitive) the car before. Even though these are verbs (playing, play, drive) etc but they are working as noun.

No: they don't "work" as nouns. They are always verbs heading non-finite clauses.

"Playing", "play" and "drive" are all verbs. Only verbs take direct objects, not nouns.

The -ing forms are essentially verbs, though some (but not all) can by conversion be nouns:

They were criticised for playing their music too loudly [gerund-participle verb]

I witnessed the playing of their first album. [noun]

anonymousAlso since gerunds take objects unlike nouns or Nominalized verb, thus i think these cannot be called one even though they are behaving as a noun

They are verbs. See above.

Catenative verb and gerunds

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