2015-08-12
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FORMS. TENSE/VOICE DISTINCTIONS
| Active | Passive | |
| Indefinite Perfect | writing having written | being written having been written |
(for Spelling Rules see Appendix 1).
Like the finite forms the verbals have tense and voice distinctions, but their tense distinctions differ from those of the finite verbs.
THE TENSE DISTINCTIONS OF THE GERUND ARE RELATIVE
The Indefinite Gerund The Perfect Gerund
denotes an action simultaneous with denotes an action prior to that of the
that of the predicate predicate
He avoided making the same He admitted having made the
mistake again. mistake.
1. Prior action is not always expressed by a Perfect Gerund. In some cases we find an Indefinite Gerund.
After the verbs: remember, excuse, forgive, thank.
After the prepositions: on (upon), after, without.
I don't remember hearing the legend before.
You must excuse my not answering you before.
The Gerund has special forms for the Active and Passive Voice.
He liked neither reading nor being read to.
2. After the verbs: want, need, deserve, require, be worth the Gerund is used in the active form though it is passive in meaning.
The room needs painting.
The film is worth seeing.
The child deserves praising.
