| | Characteristics
| Participle I
| Gerund
|
|
| Time
In this function participle and gerund coincide.
| Participle can be preceded by the conjunctions ‘while ‘ and ‘when’
He felt horrible (when?) while saying these words.
(when?) Having listened to everyone, the manager made a decision.
| Gerund is always preceded by different prepositions
(when?) On coming to his room, he found a note on the table.
(when?) After having listened to everyone, the manager made a decision.
|
|
| Reason
| Being naïve, she did not understand Kit.
| Gerund is always preceded by a preposition
I couldn’t sleep for worrying.
|
|
| Attendant circumstances
| I laughed and still laughing went away.
| Gerund is always preceded by a preposition
She left without looking at me.
|
|
| Manner
| He came in smiling happily
| Gerund is always preceded by a preposition
You will persuade him only by telling the whole truth.
|
|
| Comparison
both are preceded by conjunctions
| As though sleeping, she kept her eyes closed.
| Telling the truth is always better than lying.
|
|
| Concession
In this function participle and gerund coincide.
| Though working slowly, she finished her project in time.
| In spite of being blind with love, he understood her mean intention.
|
|
| Condition
| Going at this speed, we’ll not come in time.
| Gerund is always preceded by a preposition
But for meeting John I wouldn’t have known it.
|
|
| Purpose
| ------
| Gerund is always preceded by a preposition
The police took Fred to the station for questioning.
|
|
| Exception
| -----
| Gerund is always preceded by a preposition
Your English is good apart from spelling.
|
