GERUND AND PRESENT PARTICIPLE - EXPLAINED AND USAGE COMPARED WITH EXAMPLES

                                              

A first  form of verb in continuous form i.e. verb with ing is mainly used as a main verb in a sentence. But it is also used as a Gerund and a Present Participle. Their usage is different in all these cases. For example 
He was walking in the street.      ..........1
Walking is good for health.         ...........2 
I saw him walking in the street.   ...........3  
 All the three sentences written above contain the word "walking" in them but its usage in all the three is different from one another.
In sentence marked 1. "He" is subject, "is" is auxilliary verb and "walking" is main verb.
In sentence marked 2 "walking" is Subject, "is" verb. But to become a subject in a sentence a word has to be a noun or pronoun. Walking cannot be a pronoun but it is a Noun. A verb in continuous form i.e. first form of verb + ing acting as a noun is called a Gerund. A Gerund  like a noun or pronoun is used as a Subject or object in a sentence. For example 
He is fond of walking. 
Walking a gerund is acting as an object in this sentence.
A gerund unlike a noun or pronoun has no effect of number, gender or tense on it. It means a gerund does not change according to number, gender or tense of the sentence.
In the sentence marked 3. "I"  a pronoun is Subject, "saw" is verb and "him" is an object.  The word "walking" an adjective is used to describe "him". A verb used as an adjective is called Present Participle.
Barking dogs seldom bite.
In this sentence "Barking" describes noun "dogs"  and acts as an adjective although it is basically a verb in continuous form. 
Barking is a present participle.
Like an adjective, Present participle too has no effect of number, gender or a tense on it.
GERUND 
A verb acting as a noun is called a gerund. It acts as Subject, object, complement to subject or object in the sentence. 
Teaching is his profession.
Teaching a verb used as Subject is a noun in this sentence.    
Besides a subject a gerund like a noun is also used as an object. 
For example : 
He is fond of swimming.  
In this sentence "He' a pronoun is subject. "Swimming" basically a verb but acting as noun or gerund is an object. Swimming is not a verb here.
I don't like smoking.
"I" a pronoun is subject, "don't like" is a verb and "smoking" basically a verb but acting as a noun or gerund is object in this sentence.
A gerund like a noun is governed by a preposition. For example:
They punished him for stealing money.
In this sentence "They" a pronoun is Subject, "punished" is verb and "him"" a pronoun is an object.  "Money" is noun and "stealing" basically is a verb but describes the noun, money. It is an adjective and present participle. It preceded by preposition "for". 
Women are fond of gossiping.
In this sentence "of" is a preposition. A noun follows a preposition. So gossiping a noun is a gerund. It acts as an object and women a subject.
Here are some examples of Gerund used in sentences.
Telling lies is a bad habit. 
" Telling" basically a verb is a noun and gerund and acts as Subject in this sentence. It is not a main verb in this sentence. Verb in the sentence is "is".
Smoking has told upon his health.
"Smoking" in this sentence a gerund acts as Subject. "Has told upon" is a verb and "his health" is object.
Her mother likes cooking.
"Her mother"  is subject "likes" is verb and "cooking" a gerund and is object in the sentence.
Baking Cakes is a tedious job.
"Baking" is a gerund and acts as subject "is" a verb and "a tedious job". is object in the sentence.
Her friend is fond of singing.
In this sentence "Her friend" is subject and "singing" a gerund is object.
The lady teacher teaches us dancing and singing.
In this sentence "the lady teacher" a noun is Subject, "teaches" is verb , "us" is pronoun and object and "dancing and singing" are nouns acting as gerund.
A noun or a pronoun used before a Gerund is always in Possessive case.  For Example :
He disliked my staying there.
In this sentence "staying" is a gerund and "my" a possessive pronoun precedes it.
The Principal did not appreciate her coming late. 
In this sentence "coming" a gerund is preceded by pronoun in possessive case "her".
In examination there are questions of errors of gerunds preceded by words in other forms like subject or object case. For example The sentence written above in the following form
The Principal disliked I/ me/my coming late.
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
A verb in continuous form i.e. a first form of verb with ing, acting as an adjective, describing a noun or pronoun, in sentence is called Present Participle. Like adjective it is also has no effect of number, gender or tense on it. 
For example:
Running water swept away standing crops.
In this sentence the words "Running" and "standing " , although basically are verbs yet  act as adjectives and describe nouns "water" and "crops" respectively. So these both are Present Participle.
Flowing river changed its path.
In this sentence "flowing" a present participle acts as an adjective and describes noun "river".
The fleeing thief threw away the stolen bag.
In this sentence, the word 'fleeing" a present participle acts as an adjective and describes the noun "thief".
The acting principal chaired the meeting.
The word "acting" a present participle acts as an adjectve and describes the noun "principal".
The Present Participle is preceded by a pronoun in object case.
 For example :
Someone saw him stealing my purse.
In this sentence present participle "stealing" is preceded by "him" a pronoun in object case.
The teacher caught him sleeping in the class.
The present participle "sleeping" is preceded by him, a pronoun in object case.
In examination there are questions of errors of present participles preceded by words in other forms like subject or possessive case. For example The sentence written above in the following form
The teacher caught he/his/him sleeping in the class.

SOME TIPS FOR DIFFERENTIATING THE THREE -
 MAIN VERB, GERUND & PRESENT PARTICIPLE
1.The main verb takes auxiliary verb like is,am,are,was or were etc.
For example :
She is sitting near the fireplace.
She, a pronoun, is subject in this sentence, is an auxiliary verb and sitting is the main verb.
But it does not apply in all cases, perhaps.
Is sitting near the fireplace not risky for her?
In this sentence "is" is auxilliary verb but "sitting" used with it is not a main verb but it is a Gerund.
This is because it is an interrogative sentence and "is" is there in the beginning of the sentence to make it an interrogative sentence. Try with it by making it a simple assertive sentence. It will be
Sitting near the fireplace is risky for her.
Here is is used with risky and sitting gives clear impression that it is a gerund, a verb in continuous form used as a noun. But it in no case is the main verb of the sentence.
2. I saw her that she was sitting near the fireplace. 
In this sentence sitting is a main verb.
3. I saw him sitting near the fireplace.
In this sentence "saw " is the main verb. Sitting is preceded by a pronoun in object case "him". So it is a present participle.
4. She is in the habit of sitting near the fireplace.
In this sentence "sitting" is preceded by preposition "of" so it is a noun in the form of a gerund.
5. A noun or pronoun before a Gerund is in possessive case and before a present participle is in object case.
He disliked my sitting near the fireplace.
He watched me sitting near the fireplace.
Sitting in first Sentence is Gerund and in second sentence it is present participle.
6. A Gerund expresses an activity whereas a present participle shows continuity of an action. 
For example 
Drinking has affected his health.
Here drinking is expressed as an activity.
It is a Gerund.
The police caught him drinking in the hall.
Here drinking is a continuous action.
It is a present participle.

EXERCISE FOR PRACTICE.    

   
 Identify the underlined words as one of the three - Main Verb, Gerund or Present Participle.

1. I saw that she was singing a song .
2. I saw her singing a song.
3. Singing a song is her passion.
4. Reciting a poem on the stage was difficult for her.
5. When I entered the house, she was sleeping in her room.
6. Sticking of bills on the wall is prohibited.
7. When I reached there he was sticking bills on the wall.
8. I saw him sticking bills on the wall.
9. Growing not in years but in deeds is essential for a man.
10. He walking by the roadside found a coin.

11. Employees usually want to learn the kind of skills to build flourishing careers inside their companies.
12. Generally I spend weeks thinking about it in an idle way a  diversion pleasing for me that I am supposed not to do anything that I do in my daily routine.
13. Thriving on abundant resources at their disposal is the main reason that the natives are not so  active in technical and professional fields.

ANSWERS.                      
MAIN VERB-.  1, 5, 7           
GERUND. -.    3,4,6,9               
PRESENT PARTICIPLE -
2,8,10.

USE OF GERUND, PARTICIPLE & INFINITIVE

                                    

             GERUND,  PARTICIPLE  &   INFINITIVE    

           THEIR USE WITH EXAMPLES

The word Gerund originates from the Latin word 'gerere' meaning 'to do'. Gerund occupies a prime space in our linguistic lives. Its use in English grammar is very common.

Gerunds are nouns formed from verbs and they describe actions. They are different from infinitives. The gerund and the present participle look alike but there are a few ground rules for distinguishing between them.

The use of Gerund, Infinitive and Participle shows the difference between these as follows: 

USE OF GERUND :

Gerund is formed by adding the words 'ing' with the first form of verb. It is used as a noun. As such it can be used  in all the forms 

as a noun is used as follows.

1. Subject of the verb; as : 

Reading helps you  develop your language skills.
Swimming is a good exercise.
Walking is very necessary for you.
Painting is her hobby.

2. Object of the verb; as : 

She did not stop talking.
Stop writing.
She enjoys cooking.
The child started crying
I could not help laughing.

3. Governed by the preposition; as : 

He is addicted to drinking.
The child was punished for telling a lie.
She is fond of reading books.
In spite of skipping his breakfast, he reached there late.
He is habituated of stealing goods.

4. Complement of the verb; as : 

He is learning singing.
She is learning dancing.
Boys are enjoying playing.

5. Case in apposition; as : 

Singing, a fine art, is taught here.
Fencing, a skill, is taught in this school.
Drinking, a vice , is not liked by her.

Exercise ----- Gerunds : 
Here are some sentences for practice.

1. Walking on grass barefooted is good for health.
2. Making lame excuses is his old habit.
3. The authorities prohibited sticking of bills here..
4. The policeman saw the thief running with money.
5. The juggler is adept in showing his tricks.
6. The husband does not like his wife's nagging habit.
7. She is not interested in improving her handwriting.
8. The child does not like going to school.
9. He does not like taking any bribe.
10. Your cooking needs to improve,



Answers :  
1.In this sentence 'walking' is a gerund. - Subject Noun. 
2. Making is Gerund - Subject noun.
3. Sticking is Gerund --- object of  the verb prohibited.
4. Running is Gerund --- an object (thief) complement.
5. Showing is Gerund  -- object of preposition in.
6. Nagging  is Gerund --- Object supplement.
7. Improving is Gerund-- object of preposition in.
8. Going is Gerund ---- Object noun.
9, Taking is Gerund---- object noun.
10. Cooking is Gerund --- Subject noun.

USE OF PARTICIPLE  : 

Present Participle is formed by adding the words 'ing' to first form of a verb. It is used as an adjective.

1.Present Participle relates to the Subject therefore it is used along with a subject.

Hearing a loud noise, villagers ran out of their houses.
Hearing the noise, the child woke up.
Seeing the stranger, the dog started barking.
Barking dogs seldom bite.

2.   When Present Participle relates to the object it is used after the object.

She came there laughing.
I saw an old man carrying a lamp in his hand.
The child ran away  crying.
The boys came here shouting.

3. Participle or Past Participle is used for a work that is finished before another work starts e.g. done or having done.

Having heard the news, he closed the door.
Having finished his work, the labourer sat for rest.
Having heard the noise, the thief ran away.

USE OF INFINITIVE  : 

Infinitive is formed by adding the word   'to' with first form of the verb and it is used as a Noun, adjective or Adverb.

I have come here to play.

She wants to go home.

This mango is good to eat.

His father is about to come.

She wants to go to the market to buy vegetables.

This house is to let.

To find fault with others is very easy.

To go further was very difficult.

In some cases infinitive sign 'to' is not used in the sentence.

 Generally, with the verbs after words Let, Make,Hear,See etc. the word 'to' is not prefixed e.g.

Let him go now.
She made him work.
She let the children play outside.
They made him see the result.
We saw her go there.
We heard her say this.
The mother let the child sleep.
They saw the train depart.



The use of gerunds and infinitives is dictated by the context though it is possible to use gerunds and infinitives interchangeably in most contexts. 

Gerunds communicate a sense of continuing action because of use of 'ing'. Usually gerunds are used when we refer to real activities or experiences. 

The infinitives can often sound like a truism, largely due to perfect tense which refers to possible activities which could happen. Gerunds refer to real, immediate activity while infinitive could refer to some potential action.

Expressions such as 'Can't help' , Couldn't help' , 'It's no use'  are invariably followed by gerunds. Infinitives are inappropriate in such cases.

He can't stand being overlooked by you.
He couldn't help laughing
It's no use feeling sorry for this.

Find out the word used as gerund in the following sentences and their type.

1. I do not like her telling lies.

2. Are you interested in improving your 

    handwriting?

3. We saw him going alone.

4. What interests him is helping others.

5. She likes powdering her face.

6. Walking on grass is good for health.

7. She was not interested in consulting him.

8. We saw the cat playing with kittens.

9. Playing golf is his hobby.

10. Teaching is her profession.

Explanations: 

 1. In this sentence 'telling' is a gerund. I is subject,  'do not like' is a verb  'her' is a  possessive pronoun. So gerund 'telling' is object to the possessive pronoun 'her'.

2. In this sentence 'improving' is a gerund. 'You' is subject , 'are interested' is a verb 'in' is a preposition. Gerund improving is object of the  preposition 'in'.

3. In this sentence 'going' is a gerund. 'We' is subject 'saw' is verb and 'him' is object. So the gerund 'going' is complement of object 'him'.  The word'going' competes the activity of the object 'him'.

4.  In this sentence 'helping' is a gerund. 'What interests him' is subject and 'helping' is  complement of the subject.

5. In this sentence 'powdering' is a gerund. She is subject & likes is verb. Powdering her face is object in this sentence. 

6. In this sentence 'Walking' is a gerund. Walking is also used as a noun and is subject.

7. In this sentence 'consulting' is a gerund. 'She' is subject and 'is not interested' is a verb. 'In' is  a preposition. Gerund 'consulting' is object of preposition 'in'.

8. In this sentence 'playing' is a gerund. 'We' is subject, 'saw' is a verb and 'cat' is object.  Gerund 'playing' is complement of object 'cat'. 

    'Playing with kittens' completes the action of the object cat.

9. In this sentence 'Playing' is a gerund. It is a noun and is subject in the sentence.

10. Teaching is a gerund, noun. It is a Subject in this sentence.
     

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