Gerunding for pleasure!

Robin Michael   Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:11 am GMT
Has anybody ever seen a Gerund?

Has there ever been a cross between a Gerund and a Haggis?

Does the average Englishman know what a Gerund is?

I very much doubt it

So, why is a Gerund such an important 'noun' for learners of English as a Foreign Language?

When was the last time that you went 'Gerunding'?

Gerunding the sentence we came to the conclusion that it was a not a past participle.

I am sure it was a present simple masquerading as a past complex.
Guest   Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:18 am GMT
Ouch.
MrPedantic   Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:46 am GMT
1. Gerunding the sentence we came to the conclusion that it was a not a past participle.

I would call "gerunding" a present participle, in your example.

In this example, it's a gerund:

2. Gerunding the sentence is a waste of time.

In answer to your question as to whether the average Englishman knows what a gerund is: no, of course he doesn't.

However, the average ESL student isn't an average Englishman.

All the best,

MrP
Caspian   Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:10 am GMT
1. Yes, I have seen a Gerund.
2. I think there was a cross, but it was a slow racer, so they stopped breeding it.
3. The average Englishman probably doesn't - which must make me above average! lol

I go gerunding every weekend, if the weather permits.
Guest   Sun Mar 29, 2009 11:04 am GMT
Idling are we, Caspian?
The Gerunds   Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:17 pm GMT
<<Has anybody ever seen a Gerund? >>

Robin Michael, please don't hate us. Love us, because we love you and are your friends : )