Gerund as the subject of a verb



Gerund as the subject of a verb :



Verbal noun as the subject of a verb :

1. Drinking so much whisky made him ill.
DRINKING is the subject of MADE.

2. Having a tea party in the garden on a full moon day is a fine experience.
HAVING is the subject of IS.

3. Sitting in the Sun is very pleasant.
SITTING is the subject IS.


Introduced by the impersonal IT

1. It made him ill eating so much meat.
[It (eating) so much meat made him ill.]

2. It has been Fine meeting her.
[It (meeting) her has been fine.]

3. It was annoying not being able to attend her wedding.
[It (not being able to attend her wedding) was annoying.]

4. It is no use waiting for the Government orders.
[It (waiting for Government orders is no use.]


Verbal noun as the object of a verb :

1. I enjoyed, seeing the match on the television.
(seeing : object of "enjoyed")

2. The foolish man kept on making noise.
(making : object of 'kept')

3. Would you mind, carrying this briefcase for me?
[carrying : object of "would mind"]


Verbal noun as the complement of the verb TO BE

1. The problem is getting the help required.
[getting : complement of 'is']

2. My work is collecting the plates and washing them.
[collecting : complement of 'is']
[washing : complement of 'is']

3. The aim is learning good English.
[learning : complement of 'is']


Verbal noun as the object of a preposition

1. I am tired of walking all the way.
Walking - Verbal noun - object of 'of'

2. This is the place for resting.
Resting - Verbal noun - object of 'for'

3. Does anyone object to having some pop music now?
Having - Verbal noun - object of 'to'


With a possessive, the verbal noun is a definite subject (ie) nominal


1. I do not mind your asking me so many questions.

2. Is there any chance of V.P. Singh's coming back to power?

3. Does anyone object to my opening the theatre here?

4. It is his own making.

5. There are students demanding the resignation of Our Principal.

6. He is coming forward questioning the supremacy of the landlord.

Asking, coming, opening, making, demanding and questioning - are Verbal nouns. They have possessive pronouns before them.

Gerund as the subject of a verb



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The Grammar Index


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