Ending in -ing like the present participle, - but not to be confused with it, - is the gerund, which is partly verb, partly noun. (It is sometimes called the verbal noun in -ing).

Seeing us, the dog ran away. (Participle.) Seeing is believing. (Gerunds).

1. The gerund may be used as a noun.

Writing is not playing. (Subject and subjective complement.) I like fast driving now and then. (Direct Object.) One becomes tired of writing if he has to do too much of it. (After a preposition).

2. The gerund may be used as a verb.

Lending him a book amounts to giving it to him. (Takes an indirect object and a direct object.) Driving fast is not always safe. (Takes an adverbial modifier).

Note. In the second sentence under (I), fast is an adjective, modifying the noun driving.

The noun or pronoun which precedes the gerund should be in the possessive case.

John's jumping was heartily applauded. Your playing is good.

Exercises

251. Show that the infinitives in the following sentences have the three noun constructions cited above under 1:

1. To see is to believe.

2. Do you like to work?

3. I am about to begin a theme.

252. Turn the following infinitives into verbal nouns, and in each case show the construction:

1. To do one's duty is not always easy.

2. To drive is sometimes easier than to lead.

3. Which do you prefer, to ride or to walk ?

253. Point out the construction of each of these italicized words:

1. It may be hard to sit still without speaking, but it is sometimes harder to speak.

2. It will not be wise to take that medicine before shaking the bottle.

3. Is it not well to read your themes before throwing them away ?

254. In each of the following sentences, what part of speech is the word ending in -ing? What is the meaning of each sentence?

1. I wish to see them painting.

2. I wish to see their painting.

3. I heard them singing.

4. I know about their singing.

5. The recitation opened by his reading from Webster.

255. Write five sentences containing verbal nouns.

256. Point out the verbal nouns and the verbal adjectives in the following sentences:

1. The brook running through the meadow is clear.

2. Which do you prefer, running or playing tennis ?

3. He is a rolling stone.

257. Explain why the use of the italicized words in these sentences is correct or incorrect:

1. We heard of your winning the tournament.

2. Who would have thought of John becoming a student ?

3. The recitation opened by Brown reading the report of the previous lesson.

4. We have long looked forward to my cousin coming and have just learned with much satisfaction of him leaving home.

5. It was sad to hear of them selling the farm.

6. His leaving the country at that time naturally excited suspicion.

7. There is no need of your working so hard.

8. There is no use of our waiting until the train goes.

9. The family appreciate the chauffeur's waiting for them.

10. I do not care for the cat's playing on the piano.

11. John, continually forgetting his appointments, made the committee angry.

12. James mistaking the hour caused us much embarrassment.

13. The family appreciate the chauffeur waiting for them at the station.