Gerund or incorrect :) That's the question

Question

I've read about gerund and I've just tried to use it so that I need your help

I suppose sentences below to be correct but I'm not sure:

He improved his article by changing the end

They insisted on the article being improved

They were informed of his having changed the article

He reproached himself for having changed the article

He reproached himself for changing the article

They were glad of the article being changed

Reading English magazines is important to improve your skills

I remember having read the magazine

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Hi,

He improved his article by changing the end of it.

They insisted on the author of the article to improve it.

Skif · Answer

Hm... Of course, I understand that other constructions may be used in defined situations, for instance:

The student's knowing English well helped him in learning topology = That the student knew English well helped him in learning topology

I remember having seen this article before = I remember that I saw this article before

but the problem is that I'm trying to learn gerund so that I should not use a periphrasis... I should use gerund

Skif · Answer

This question isn't decided... but I've continued the first example of the "equal" sentences by addition of the Present Participle Active.

The student's knowing English well helped him in learning topology = That the student knew English well helped him in learning topology

Knowing the English language well he could learn topology easily = As he knew the English language he could learn topology easily

So that I'm curious to understand what grammatical constructions are more preferable for use...

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I've read about gerund and I've just tried to use it so that I need your help

I suppose sentences below to be correct but I'm not sure:

These examples are all OK. I've added some comments about grammar and usage..

He improved his article by changing the end Fine. Common construction.

They insisted on the article being improved Fine. Some purists would argue that you should add an apostophe, ie an article's. But we commonly don't. Quite commonly said.

They were informed of his having changed the article Fine. But sounds formal. Not common in eberyday spoken English.

He reproached himself for having changed the article Fine. Sounds like the speaker is quite edicated.

He reproached himself for changing the article Fine. Commonly said.

They were glad of the article being changed Fine. Some purists would argue that you should add an apostophe, ie the article's. But we commonly don't. The whole sentence is worded quite pedantically, but the gerund part is not unusual and is quite commonly said.

Reading English magazines is important to improve your skills Fine. Common.

I remember having read the magazine Fine. Quite common.

Clive

Skif · Answer

Thank your for your comments as they are useful indeed

Anonymous · Answer

He reproached himself for having changed the article Fine.

Gerund or incorrect :) That's the question

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