-
(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
Sometimes there’s a topic that doesn’t quite defy explanation but certainly gives one pause in the undertaking1. Lucky us—that’s where we find ourselves today. “Why gerunds take a possessive before them.” Oy.
What's a Gerund?
Let’s start with what a gerund is. It’s a verb form that resembles an adjective or adverb but is actually a noun. It’s one of the “-ing” forms of a verb. In other words, it's a noun that's trying to trick you into thinking it's a verb. The other “-ing” forms are those that are part of a complex verb form (the present progressive), and those that are participles.
So a verb ending with “-ing” can be one of three things: part of the present progressive, a participle, or a sneaky, dirty gerund.
Present Progressive
First let's dispense2 with the present progressive “-ing” form of any verb. It's important to understand the verb forms so you don't confuse them with the gerund—the noun form. Here's an example using the present progressive:
Ignatz is mowing3 the lawn.
It denotes a current, ongoing4 process. The subject is “Ignatz.” the verb is “mowing,” and the direct object is “the lawn.” “Mowing” is a verb. Done.
Participles
A participle is what we call a verb such as “crying” when it is used as a modifier. It can be an adjective, as in,
The crying man’s co-workers comforted him with apples.
Here, the adjective “crying” modifies the noun “man”: “the crying man.”
A participle can also be used as an adverb, as in,
The man ran crying out of the cinema.
Here, “crying” modifies the verb “ran,” describing how he ran: “the man ran crying.”
Gerunds
Now that we have the verbs out of the way, let's move on to gerunds. Here's an example of a sentence with a gerund:
Crying can relieve stress.
Here, “crying” is the subject of the sentence. You can see that it's acting5 like a noun because you can replace it with something that is more obviously a noun: “dogs.” “Dogs are clearly nouns, and you could say, “Dogs can relieve stress.” See how you can replace “dogs” with “crying”? “Dogs can relieve stress,” and “Crying can relieve stress.” “Crying” is a gerund; a thing that looks like a verb but is acting like a noun.
Gerunds and Possessives
OK, so now you understand gerunds. Let's build on that knowledge and figure out how to deal with possessives before a gerund. People ask about this a lot.
Here's an example of a correct sentence:
That baby’s crying is getting on my nerves.
You wouldn’t (or at least shouldn’t) say, “That baby crying is getting on my nerves,” for although the baby may be irritating you, the real source of your nervous irritation6 is the crying itself and, therefore, the subject of the sentence.
Alternatively, you might say, “That crying baby is getting on my nerves,” and then the baby is the subject of the sentence, as well as the object of your disdain7, but “crying” is no longer a gerund in that sentence, it's become an adjective. You can tell because you can't replace ”crying” with a noun anymore. You can't say “That dog baby is getting on my nerves.” At least you shouldn't say that. It would mean something strange and different.
Anyway, back to “the baby’s crying.” It’s the crying, again, that’s the noun and subject, so the modifier needs the proper structure—in this case, a possessive form: “baby’s.” Whose crying is depriving you of your nap on the plane? The baby’s crying, that’s whose.
Let’s take another example, because this is a tricky8 grammatical issue. That’s why it’s so common to hear it said the wrong way—to the point that the wrong way sounds right and the right way sounds wrong. Hold steady, and do it the right way. Be brave.
Let’s say a colleague has agreed to take your work shift so you can attend a family event out of town. How would you express your gratitude9? (Of course, taking that person to lunch would be a gracious gesture, but how would you thank your colleague verbally?)
“I appreciate you filling in for me, Myrtle,” would be the common, though incorrect, way of acknowledging the kindness. Though you might appreciate Myrtle for filling in for you –— and you certainly could express it that way — you really appreciate the “filling in” itself. Therefore, because it’s Myrtle’s filling in that’s the object of the verb “appreciate,” you would say,
I appreciate your filling in for me, Myrtle.
Similarly, you might say,
I love that tenor10’s singing.
Much clearer this time, because the object of your affection is the singing, not the tenor himself. Whose singing do you love? The tenor’s. Maybe you’ve met this fellow, and he’s an insufferable lout11, but his mellifluous12 crooning makes you weak in the knees. “I can’t stand that tenor, but I adore his singing.” Starting to make a bit more sense now?
Remember that the “–ing” form is a noun.
A Quick and Dirty Tip
Some people find it hard to remember, so here’s the Quick and Dirty (and, we hope, simple) Tip to guide you.
Differentiation13 is key. Are you appreciating or abhorring14 the person, or the deed? Almost invariably in this construction, it’s the deed. So, let the person own the deed.
The baby’s crying; the tenor’s singing; Myrtle’s filling in.
Those in the know will notice our saying it and writing it correctly.
Audible
OK, this week, Rob Reinalda from Ragan.com has a book recommendation for us:
“A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle is a remarkable15 guide to reclaiming16 your true self from your “ego,” which focuses on your thoughts and worries about social and professional status, and your “pain body,” that part of you that feeds on internal and external anger. It’s such a freeing, uplifting book, and Eckhart Tolle’s narration17 helps you transcend18 your daily worries and long-held spiritual constraints19. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Audience Survey
It's been quite a while since I've asked you to tell me about yourself, so we put a listener survey back up in the sidebar of the Grammar Girl section of quickanddirtytips.com. If you could take a minute to visit the website and take the survey, I would appreciate it. Of course, we ask about your demographics, but there is also a free form section where you can tell us what you like and dislike about the show, and I really enjoy reading those.
Also, I'll be starting my book tour in a couple of weeks, and in that same sidebar is a sign up button for the free Grammar Girl e-mail newsletter. Sign up for that newsletter to get all the details about the tour and a free daily grammar tip.
收听单词发音 |
1
undertaking
|
|
| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
dispense
|
|
| vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
mowing
|
|
| n.割草，一次收割量，牧草地v.刈，割( mow的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
ongoing
|
|
| adj.进行中的，前进的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
acting
|
|
| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
irritation
|
|
| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
disdain
|
|
| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
tricky
|
|
| adj.狡猾的，奸诈的；(工作等)棘手的，微妙的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
gratitude
|
|
| adj.感激，感谢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
tenor
|
|
| n.男高音（歌手），次中音（乐器），要旨，大意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
lout
|
|
| n.粗鄙的人；举止粗鲁的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
mellifluous
|
|
| adj.（音乐等）柔美流畅的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
differentiation
|
|
| n.区别，区分 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
abhorring
|
|
| v.憎恶( abhor的现在分词 )；（厌恶地）回避；拒绝；淘汰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
remarkable
|
|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
reclaiming
|
|
| v.开拓( reclaim的现在分词 )；要求收回；从废料中回收（有用的材料）；挽救 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
narration
|
|
| n.讲述，叙述；故事；记叙体 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
transcend
|
|
| vt.超出，超越(理性等)的范围 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
constraints
|
|
| 强制( constraint的名词复数 )； 限制； 约束 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
购买
在百度中搜索