The '-ing' form as gerund

As a gerund, the -ing form often functions in general statements as an

uncountable noun with no article. It can also be replaced by i t: Dancing is fun I love it [> 3.26.2]

Sometimes the -ing form functions as a countable noun which can be

replaced by it (singular) or they (plural) [> 2.16.5]: Dickens often gave readings of his work They were very popular

We can use a gerund after determiners tike a, the this, a lot of and

some, or after possessives and adjectives: Brendel has made a new recording The recording was made live The sinking of the Titanic has never been forgotten I enjoy a little light reading when I go away on holiday What's all this arguing?

I did some/a lot of/a little shopping this morning I appreciate your helping me Your quick thinking saved us all

The gerund also has some of the characteristics of a verb: e.g.

- it can be followed by an adverb or adverbial phrase: Walking quickly/Walking in step is difficult

- and it can take an object: Washing the car seems to be your main hobby

- and it can have a perfect form and even a passive [compare > 1.56]: I'm sorry for having wasted your time I can't forgive myself for having been taken by surprise

The '-ing' form as present participle

Participles are associated with verbs when they refer to actions in progress, e.g. in progressive tenses [> 9.2], Participle phrases also commonly stand for clauses [> 1.58]:

Walking in the park the other day, I saw a bird building a nest

(= I was walking, the bird was building)

16.39.3 The gerund in nouns; the present participle as adjective [> 2.7]

Here are your running-shoes (shoes for running: gerund)

/ love the sight of running water (water which is running: adjective)

16 The infinitive and the '-ing' form

Some common uses of the '-ing' form (gerund)

The -ing form can be used in the active or passive in a large number of different ways. Here are some examples (note the formation of the negative with not + -ing):

16.40.1 As a noun complement to the verb 'be'

My favourite pastime is bird-watching

As far as he's concerned, it's not doing something wrong that

matters, but not being caught doing something wrong

As the subject of a verb

Before be:

Jogging isn't much fun. Being lost can be a terrifying experience Not being tall is not a serious disadvantage in life.

Before verbs other than be: Rowing keeps you fit Not being punctual makes him unreliable