GUIDE ENGLISH GRAMMAR BOOK

15 THE GERUND
PAGE 166
b
We cannot use a finite clause or a to-infinitive after a preposition.
NOT instead of we landed and NOT instead of to land
NOTE
a For in spite of/despite the fact that, • 246(4).
b We can use a to-infinitive instead of for to express purpose. • 252(3)
These pages are for making/are to make notes on.
133 Determiner + gerund
1 The pattern the driving
We can use a gerund after the, this, that, some, no, a lot of, a little, a bit of and
much.
Nancy likes her new job, but the driving makes her tired.
This constant arguing gets on my nerves.
I'd like to find time for some fishing at the weekend.
No parking. (= Parking is not allowed.)
I've got a bit of shopping to do.
The + gerund is specific rather than general.
The driving makes her tired. (= the driving she does in her job)
Driving makes her tired. (= all driving, driving in general)
NOTE
a We can use an adjective before a gerund.
My boss was fined for dangerous driving.
b A gerund is usually an uncountable noun, but we can sometimes use a/an or add a plural s.
I could hear a scratching under the floorboards.
The hostages suffered several beatings.
c A gerund means an action.
Crossing the road here is dangerous. Building is a skilled job.
But there are also some nouns ending in ing which mean physical objects. These nouns
can be plural.
We had to wait at the crossing. The square is surrounded by tall buildings.
d For a driving lesson, • 283(2).
e For do the shopping and go shopping, • 138(2).
2 The pattern the driving of heavy lorries
a
A gerund clause can have an object.
An important part of our work is keeping records.
Playing ball games is not allowed.
When we use a determiner + gerund, the object has of before it.
An important part of our work is the keeping of records.
The playing of ball games is prohibited.
This pattern with of can be rather formal and is typical of an official, written style.
NOTE
Sometimes a noun phrase after of is the understood subject.
I was disturbed by the ringing of the telephone. (The telephone was ringing.)
b Instead of a gerund, we often use other abstract nouns in this pattern. • 149(3)
the management of small businesses the education of young children
Here management and education are more usual than managing and educating.