Question for English learners regarding gerunds

Question

As a native speaker of English, I've never given much thought to the use of gerunds in English. Now I'm trying to explain the topic to a friend in Mexico and I suddenly realize just how complicated this can be.

If you found a good resource, or have any good examples that would help me explain this to a non-native English speaker...I would be most grateful!

Answer 1

Lucie,

normally, we call this subject:

To ing

to&ing; To o ing

Google it and you'll find a lot of information about that, as we are taught it

Thanks Cogu! This is what I was hoping for...someone who has bravely tackled the subject from a non-native point of view! - MLucie, Nov 27, 2011

Answer 2

there is NOT a good correlation between gerunds and gerundios!

No, because they are completely different beasts (only the names are misleadingly similar).

However, in the abstract, the English gerund functions very much like the Spanish infinitive. The only real complicating factor in English is (as alluded to by Lorenzo and Ian) that in certain contexts (for which there are no simple rules) English will consistently prefer either the gerund or the infinitive. There are also contexts in which either may be used. The differences among those contexts requires brute-force memorization.

Aside from the infinitive/gerund choice, they operate very much as does the Spanish infinitive. They all function as nouns but they all retain much of their verbal nature (can take direct objects [the ones that are transitive], can be modified by adverbs, etc.)

Answer 3

Unfortunately, the "rules" for using gerunds and infinitives seem to always end up with a bunch of arbitrary lists, like here

Not quite as bad as prepositions, but still pretty daunting.

Nice article - 0074b507, Nov 27, 2011

This is helpful. Thank you! - MLucie, Nov 27, 2011

I agree. Nice article - Izanoni1, Nov 27, 2011

Answer 4

This is a complex subject

Have a look at Qfreed's answer below.

link text

Thanks, Ian. I agree that is a complicated subject. But my question is strictly about gerunds in English....thanks to SpanishDict, I know that they are not gerundios! - MLucie, Nov 27, 2011

Ok - not sure if anyone has done something specifically for English Gerunds. - ian-hill, Nov 27, 2011

I think the real difference is that English gerunds can be used as nouns and Spanish Gerundios can't. - ian-hill, Nov 27, 2011

I want to eat pizza - after "want" the infinitive is always used in English. - ian-hill, Nov 27, 2011

I like eating pizza or I like to eat Pizza - both can be used. - ian-hill, Nov 27, 2011

I enjoy eating pizza - normally a -ing follows enjoy - ian-hill, Nov 27, 2011

Another thing is that an -ing form can not follow all verbs in English. - see above 3 examples - ian-hill, Nov 27, 2011

Answer 5

Hi Lucie,

You must have googled this, but in case you didn't find this article, it actually is a fairly comprehensive discussion of the gerund in English:

The Gerund

Then there are these cartoons:

Private Lives of Gerunds

Love the cartoons! - MLucie, Nov 27, 2011

Answer 6

I want to clarify, because I know I didn't explain well enough. I am teaching English, not Spanish. Unfortunately, and as we all know, there is NOT a good correlation between gerunds and gerundios!

If there were, it would be easy. I've looked at various Internet answers, and they are so complicated that I am grateful to be learning Spanish! This, along with phrasal verbs, makes me marvel at how well our English learning friends are able to manage!

Amen. I sympathize with anyone trying to teach English grammar. What a confounded language! - 0074b507, Nov 27, 2011

It wasn't until I started learning Spanish and teaching English that I realised the problems. - ian-hill, Nov 27, 2011

Answer 7

And this one by Paralee

link text