Gerund

Question

Hello,The gerund is the -ing form of the verb when it is used as a noun.There are some gerunds which are defined in the dictionary like 'reading' , 'swimming' e.t.c.I would like to know whether  -ing form of each verb is a gerund or only  -ing forms of a few verbs are gerund.There are participles which are also -ing forms of verbs.Is there any way to identify whether a given -ing form is a  gerund or a participle?Thanks.

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

Many modern grammarians see no opint in distinguishing between a gerund and a participle.

Cool Breeze · Answer

hanuman_2000Is there any way to identify whether a given -ing form is a gerund or a participle?

I suppose the best way is to use a search engine and type GERUND or PARTICIPLE in it. You will be taken to grammar pages where those terms are explained and examples provided, if you are interested.

As you have been told, being able to differentiate between them is not important if you just want to learn English. I must inform you, though, that a gerund isn't always exactly a noun. A gerund can have two tenses in both active and passive voice. Nouns are not used in the passive voice, are they?

CB

Hanuman_2000 · Answer

Hello,

Could you please give some examples where gerunds are used in passive forms?

Thanks.

Cool Breeze · Answer

Here's one that I have used before. You should be able to think of similar ones yourself.

He wasn't exactly crazy about having been seen in my company.

Crazy is a preposition and all prepositions are followed by a gerund if a verb follows. Therefore the perfect passive infinitive to have been seen has become having been seen.

CB

Hanuman_2000 · Answer

Thanks!

Could you please explain me the passive of the infinitive?

1. I don like to play.

How to make the passive?

Thanks.

Fivejedjon · Answer

You can't make a passive of an intransitive form. Here's a transitive form:

John wants people to like him.
John wants to be liked.

Hanuman_2000 · Answer

Hello,

1. I like to play chess.

Now , it is possible to make a passive of the above.

A. I like chess to be played.

Is #A Correct?

Thanks.

Cool Breeze · Answer

hanuman_2000Is #A Correct?

No one will ever utter it. You should stop trying to change active sentences into the passive voice, which may be what some incompetent teachers may want their students to do. Instead, try to learn to use English naturally, the way English is used in real life.

Of course it helps if you are familiar with the grammar, especially the basic structures, but don't let the fancy terminology of those who are trying to make an impression on you lead you astray.

English has only two active and passive infinitives, so you don't need to learn many grammatical forms. They are sometimes used rather loosely, i.e. active forms may have passive meanings and vice versa.

Active present infinitive: (to) see
I want to see it.

Passive present infinititive: (to) be seen
I don't want to be seen in his company.

Active perfect infinitive: (to) have seen
You must have seen it.

Passive perfect infinitive: (to) have been seen
He may have been seen in my company.

The 'to' is sometimes omitted, but it would take me too long to explain it here. You can Google for it, if you like.
(infinitive without to, bare infinitive, plain infinitive)

I won't write more posts today. I have more interesting things awaiting me.

CB

Fivejedjon · Answer

Cool Breeze You should stop trying to change active sentences into the passive voice,

Native speakers rarely convert active sentences into passive ones. If they are going to use the passive, they use it naturally because that is what is appropriate for their needs.

Gerund

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