Gerunds
Like nouns, gerunds can be the subject, object or complement of a sentence:
- Smoking costs a lot of money.
- I don't like writing.
- My favourite occupation is reading.
But, like a verb, a gerund can also have an object itself. In this case, the whole expression [gerund + object] can be the subject, object or complement of the sentence.
- Smoking cigarettes costs a lot of money.
- I don't like writing letters.
- My favourite occupation is reading detective stories.
Like nouns, we can use gerunds with adjectives (including articles and other determiners):
- pointless questioning
- a settling of debts
- the making of Titanic
- his drinking of alcohol
But when we use a gerund with an article, it does not usually take a direct object:
- a settling of debts (not a settling debts)
- Making "Titanic" was expensive.
- The making of "Titanic" was expensive.
Present and Past Participles
Both present and past participles are used with the verbs to be and to have to
create common verb tenses, but they can also be used as adjectives. Since
there is a slight difference in meaning between the present and the past
participles when they are used as adjectives, it is very important to choose the
appropriate form.
►Present participles are formed by adding –ing to the verb stem. As an
adjective, a present participle modifies a noun that affects someone or
something else.
The new song is interesting.
The new song was interesting.
►Past participles are formed by adding –ed, to the verb stem, but some of the
irregular forms may end in –d, –en, –n, or –t. As an adjective, a past participle
modifies a noun that is affected by someone or something else.
The fans are interested in the new song.
The fans were interested in the new song.
►Participles generally come before the noun they modify. They may also be
linked to the subject of the sentence by a linking verb such as to be or to feel.
The park is a frightening place at night.
Steve felt frightened as he walked alone in the park at night.
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