Gerund Review part Three

USING A POSSESSIVE TO MODIFY A GERUND

We came to class late. Mr. Lee complained about that fact. (a) FORMAL: Mr. Lee complained about our coming to class late.* (b) INFORMAL: Mr. Lee complained about us coming to class late.	In formal English, a possessive pronoun (e.g., our) is used to modify a gerund as in (a). In informal English, the object form (e.g., us) is frequently used, as in (b)
(c) FORMAL: Mr. Lee complained about Mary’s coming to class late (d) FORMAL: Mr. Lee complained about Mary coming to class late.	In formal English, a possessive noun (e.g., Mary’s) is used to modify a gerund. The possessive form is not used in informal English, as in (d).

* ”Coming to class late” occurred before “Mr. Lee complained,” so a past gerund is also possible: Mr. Lee complained about our having come to class late.

USING VERBS OF PERCEPTION

(a) I saw my friend run down the street. (b) I saw my friend running down the street. (c) I heard the rain fall on the roof. (d) I heard the rain falling on the roof.	Certain verbs of perception are followed by either the simple form* or the –ing form** of a verb. There is usually little difference in meaning between the forms except that the –ing form usually gives the idea of “while.” In (b): I saw my friend while she was running down the street.
(e) I heard a famous opera star sing at the concert last night. (f)  When I walked into the apartment, I heard my roommate singing in the shower.	Sometimes (not always) there is a clear difference between using the simple form or the –ing form. In (e): I heard the singing from beginning to end. In (f): The singing was in progress When I heard it.
VERBS OF PERCEPTION FOLLOWED BY THE SIMPLE FORM OR THE –ING FORM see       notice        watch           look at         observe        hear             feel     smell

*The simple form of a verb = the infinitive form without ‘to.’ INCORRECT:I saw my friend to run down the street.

**The –ing form refers to the present participle.

SPECIAL EXPRESSIONS FOLLOWED BY THE –NG FORM OF A VERB

(a)    We had fun                   playing volleyball        We had a good time (b)     I had trouble         I had difficulty           finding his house         I had a hard time         I had a difficult time	had fun          +  -ing      had a good time          +  -ing     had trouble    +  -ing     had difficulty +  -ing       had a hard time +  -ing     had a difficult time     +  -ing
(c)       Sam spends most of his time studying. (d)      I waste a lot of time watching TV.	spend + expression of time or money + -ing     waste + expression of time or money + -ing
(e)       She sat at her desk writing a letter. (f)       I stood there wondering what to do next. (g)      He is lying in bed reading a novel.	sit    + expression of place + -ing     stand   + expression of place + -ing     lie    + expression of place + -ing
(h)      When I walked into my office, I found George using my telephone. (i) When I walked into my office I caught a thief looking through my desk drawers.	find + (pro)noun + -ing     catch   + (pro)noun + -ing     In (h) and (i): both find and catch mean discover. Catch express anger or displeasure

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