I regret having uttered these words.

МОДУЛЬ 3. Герундій

The gerund is a non-finite form of the verb with some noun features. It is formed by adding the suffix – ing to the stem of the verb. The grammatical meaning of the gerund is that of a process. Thus to some extent it competes with nouns of verbal origin, e.g. translating-translation. If the meaning of. the gerund is nearly the same as that of the noun, the former emphasizes the process, and the latter-the fact:

Thank you for helping me. Thank you for your help.

It is natural that the verbal character of the gerund is more prominent in transitive verbs, owing to their combinability and possession of passive forms.

The verbal character of the gerund is manifested in the categories of voice and correlation and syntactically in its combinability. Thus the gerund may combine with a noun or pronoun as direct, indirect or prepositional object, depending on the verb from which it is formed. It may combine with an adjective or a noun as a predicative, with an infinitive, or act as a modal verb equivalent. Gerunds of both transitive and intransitive verbs can be modified by adverbs and prepositional phrases functioning as adverbial modifiers.

Gerund

I remember your telling me the story five years ago.

It's no use arguing about trifles.

John dreams of becoming a sailor.

There is some chance of his being able to join us.

We enjoyed walking slowly along the silent streets.

Finite verb

You told me the story five years ago.

I never argue about trifles. John' became a sailor.

We hope he will be able to join us.

We walked slowly along the silent streets.

The nominal character of the gerund reveals itself syntactically, mainly in its syntactical function but partly in its combinability. Like a noun, it can function as subject, object, or predicative, but not as predicate.

Seeing you is always a pleasure.

I remember seeing you somewhere.

I am thinking of seeing the film again.

Peter's hobby is seeing all new films.

When it is an attribute or an adverbial modifier, a gerund, like a noun is preceded by a preposition.

There is a chance of catching the train. Don't forget to call me up before leaving London.

The fact that the gerund can associate with a preposition is a sure sign of noun combinability.

Like a noun, but unlike the other non-finites, it can combine with a possessive pronoun and a noun in the genitive case denoting the doer of the action expressed by the gerund.

Excuse my interrupting you. I insist on John's staying with us.

It combines with the negative pronoun no in the idiomatic construction of the type: There is no getting out of it.

The Grammatical Categories of the Gerund

The Category of Correlation

The category of correlation finds its expression in the contrast of non-perfect (indefinite) and perfect forms.

The non-perfect gerund denotes an action simultaneous with that expressed by the finite verb.

Students improve their pronunciation by listening to tape recordings.

John improved his pronunciation by listening to tape recordings.

You will improve your pronunciation by listening to tape recordings.

The perfect gerund denotes an action prior to the action denoted by the finite verb

I regret having uttered these words.

I regretted having uttered these words.

I will always regret having uttered these words.

The perfect gerund is invariable in indicating priority, whereas the meaning of the non-perfect gerund is vague and more flexible and may easily be modified by the context. Thus according to the context the action denoted by the non-perfect gerund may precede or follow the action denoted by the finite verb. The non-perfect gerund denotes a prior action thanks to the lexical meaning of the main verb or the preposition suggesting priority. Thus the common gerund is generally used after verbs of recollection, gratitude, blame, reproach, punishment and reward.

I shall never forget taking this exam.

I remember talking to him once.

Thank you for helping me.

The non-perfect gerund is to be found in- gerundial phrases introduced by the prepositions on and after.

On reaching the end of the street we turned towards the river.

Preedy, after reflecting a little, gave a long sigh.

Note: The preposition on suggests immediate priority and an instantaneous action.

The lexical meaning of the above-mentioned verbs and prepositions makes the use of the perfect form redundant. It is used, however, when the priority is emphasized, as in following examples:

And all of a sudden David remembered having heard the name before.

He came back after having been away for about ten years.

The non-perfect gerund expresses a succeeding action after verbs, adjectives and prepositions implying reference to a future event (such as to intend, to insist, to object, to suggest, to look forward to) and after the preposition before:

I insist on your staying with us.

We are looking forward to visiting new places.

Ann suggested going to the cinema.

I'm not keen on getting myself into trouble.

We met once more before parting.

The same occurs after nouns suggesting futurity such as plan, intention, hope, prospect:

There is some hope of catching the last train.

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