Page 302 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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'participles' and 'gerunds': an unclear difference
The distinction between 'participles' and 'gerunds' is not always clear-cut, and it can sometimes be difficult to decide which term to use. For this reason, some grammarians prefer to avoid the terms 'participle' and 'gerund'. For a detailed discussion of this point, see Section 17.54 of A Comprehensive Grammar o f the English Language, by Quirk, Greenbaum, Leech and Svartvik (Longman 1985).
-ing forms (2): a waiting room; a waiting train
-ing forms can be used before nouns. This can happen both with noun-like -ing forms ('gerunds') and adjective-like -ing forms ('participles'). The two structures do not have quite the same kind of meaning. Compare:
- a waiting room (= a room for waiting. Waiting is a gerund, used rather like a noun. Compare a guest room.)
a waiting train (= a train that is waiting. Waiting is a participle, used rather like an adjective. Compare an early train.)
- a sleeping pill (sleeping is a gerund)
a sleeping child (sleeping is a participle)
- working conditions (gerund)
working men and women (participle)
-ing forms (3): subject, complement or object
Smoking is bad for you
An -ing form ('gerund') can be used, just like a noun, as the subject or complement of a verb.
Smoking is bad for you. (subject)
My favourite activity is reading. (complement)
Infinitives (e.g. To smoke is bad for you) are possible in these cases, but are formal and uncommon.
-ing forms can also be used as objects after certain verbs (see 296).
I hate packing. (object)
-ing form with its own object
The -ing form subject, complement or object is used like a noun, but it is still a verb and can have its own object.
Smoking cigarettes is bad for you.
My favourite activity is reading thrillers. I hate packing suitcases.
the opening of Parliament; my smoking
We can often use determiners (for example the, my, this) with -ing forms. the opening ofParliament
Does my smoking annoy you? I hate all this useless arguing.
Possessive's forms are also possible.
John's going to sleep during the wedding was rather embarrassing. She was angry at Lina's trying to lie to her.
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