Практическая грамматика

THE GERUND


§ 15. The gerund developed from the verbal noun, which in course of time became verbalized preserving at the same time its nominal character. In fact, the Gerund behaves like a noun, though it can take an object like a verb. The gerund is formed by adding the suffix -ing to the stem of the verb, and coincides in form with Participle I.
§ 16. The double nature of the gerund.
The gerund has nominal and verbal properties. The nominal characteristics оf the gerund are as follows.
1. The gerund can perform the function of subject, object and predicative.
Crossing the river was a hard task. (subject)
She enjoyed sitting in the sun. (direct object)
Deciding is acting. (predicative)
2. The gerund can be preceded by a preposition.
The rain showed no sign of stopping.
I am relieved at being left alone.
3. Like a noun the gerund can be modified by a noun in the possessive case or by a possessive pronoun.
His getting divorced surprised everybody.
She insisted on his taking a cup of tea with the family.

The verbal characteristics of the gerund are the same as those of the participle:

1. The gerund of transitive verbs can take a direct object.
I had now made good progress in understanding and speaking their language. (Swift)
2. The gerund can be modified by an adverb.
He began snapping the pebbles carefully into the stream.
She burst out crying bitterly. (Hardy)
3. The gerund has tense distinctions; the gerund of transitive verbs has also voice distinctions. The forms of the gerund in Modern English are as follows:


Indefinite: doing (Active Voice), being done (Passive Voice)
Perfect: having done (Active), having been done (Passive)

There is no gerund in Russian and the English gerund is rendered in Russian in different ways:

a) by a noun: .