В пособии рассматриваются основные моменты английской грамматики: части речи имя существительное, имя прилагательное и наречие; видо-временные формы глагола; модальные глаголы; неличные формы глагола

participle and sometimes (b) the gerund, depending on whether it is used (a)
more like a verb or adjective or (b) more like a noun. Thus, whereas the
participle is a verbal adjective, the gerund is a verbal noun. In fact, the
distinction is not really as simple as this, and some grammarians prefer to
avoid the terms participle and gerund.
Active Passive
Simple reading being read
Perfect having read having been read

2. Functions of the Gerund

A. The gerund has most of the characteristics of a noun. Thus, it can be:
1. The subject of a sentence:
Beating a child will do more harm than good.
The reading of the will took place in the lawyer’s office.
Note that when the gerund is used with an article, it cannot usually have a
direct object.
The gerund is used in short prohibitions:
No smoking. No parking. No fishing.
But these cannot be followed by an object, so prohibitions involving an
object are usually expressed by an imperative:
Do not touch these wires. Do not feed the lions.
2. The complement of a sentence:
To keep money that you have found is stealing.
Seeing is believing.
3. The object of a sentence (see 110):
I remember seeing him.
She likes dancing.
4. The object of a preposition (see 112):
She is very fond of dancing.
He left without saying anything.
The only part of a verb that can be the object of a preposition is a gerund.


B. But the gerund has some characteristics of a verb.
1. It can take a direct object:
His hobby is collecting stamps.
Meeting you has been a great pleasure.
2. It can be modified by an adverb:
She likes driving fast.
Speaking English fluently needs a lot of work.


C. The gerund can be a noun modifier:
A walking stick a swimming pool a reading room
Note the difference in meaning between the participle as a modifier and the
gerund as a modifier: