Syntactic functions of the gerund
In а sentence the Gerund is often used as a part of a Gerundial phrase or a Gerundial construction. The Gerund can perform the following syntactic functions:
1. Subject
Speaking foreign languages well is an advantage.
Getting the job in the face of such stiff competition was a great achievement.
Reading bookshas never done any harm to anyone.
Your helping was appreciated.
The Gerund in this function can be introduced by it or there:
It’s no use going there.
There is no driving in the yard.
There is no use arguing now.
2. Predicative
My dream is travelling the world.
Sometimes doing the right thing is doing nothing at all.
This was like being someone else.
His only task was looking after the patient.
3. A part of а compound verbal predicate
– а part of а compound verbal modal predicate with the verbs or expressions having modal meaning:
She did not feel like seeing anybodythat night.
– а part of а compound verbal aspect predicate with the verbs denoting the beginning, duration or cessation of the action [Шрамко, Степанова, 2009 ]:
Why did they stop arguing?
He ceased shivering at last.
4. Object а) after the following verbs Gerunds can be used as а direct object:
avoid, appreciate, (cannot) bear, consider, contemplate, delay, deny, deserve, detest, discuss, dislike, encourage, endure, enjoy, escape, excuse, face, fancy, forbid, forget, forgive, hate, (cannot) help, imagine, involve, justify, like, loathe, love, mention, mind (in interrogative and negative sentences), miss, need, postpone, practise, prefer, prevent, prohibit, recommend, regret, remember, resent, resist, risk, save (sb), (cannot) stand, suggest, tolerate, understand, want, and the adjectives busy and worth.
Excuse my coming late.
His friends avoided discussing the matter with her.
Do you mind opening the window?
The room needs cleaning.
The film is really worth watching.
b) after the following verbs and phrases Gerunds can be used as