oxford_guide_to_english_grammar

PAGE 161
131 Some patterns with the gerund
131 Some patterns with the gerund
1 Gerund clause as subject
Digging is hard work. But choosing the colour won't be easy.
Keeping a copy of your letters is a good idea.
I think walking in the country is a lovely way to spend a day.
In subject position, the gerund is much more usual than the to-infinitive. To
choose the colour... is possible but rather formal.
We can also use the empty subject Preferring forward to the gerund clause. • 50(5)
It won't be easy choosing the right colour.
But the to-infinitive is more usual after it.
It won't be easy to choose the right colour.
It's a good idea to keep a copy of your letters.
The gerund is more usual as subject, but the to-infinitive is more usual after it.
Heating a big house is expensive. It's expensive to heat a big house.
2 Patterns with it, there and have
a
Here are some patterns with it and a gerund.
It's no good arguing. I've made up my mind.
It might be worth taking the guided tour.
It wouldn't be much use trying to stick the pieces together again.
It was quite an experience going camping.
It's a nuisance being without electricity.
It's great fun skiing down a mountain.
NOTE
a After use, experience, nuisance and fun we can also use a to-infinitive.
b There are also these patterns with worth.
It might be worth it to take the guided tour. The guided tour might be worth taking.
b
c
We can use there with problem/difficulty and a gerund.
There won't be any problem parking.
There is also a pattern with have (= experience) and a gerund.
You won't have any problem parking.
We had great fun skiing down the mountain.
3 Gerund clause as complement after he
Jeremy's hobby is inventing computer games.
What I suffer from is not being able to sleep.
4 Verb + gerund
a
We can use a gerund after some verbs.
Someone suggested going for a walk. Do you mind waiting a moment?
I can't help feeling depressed sometimes. Imagine never having been abroad.
For a list of verbs taking the gerund or to-infinitive, •121.