The Gerund or "ing" - Form - English Grammar

Gerunds instead of temporal sentences

In the English language it is common to shorten subordinate clauses with the help of gerunds. This conveys a rather formal style and is most likely to be found in written language.
This reduction is only possible, if the main clause and the subordinate clause refer to the same subject. It is not relevant which part of the compound sentence comes first.

• When I opened the door in the morning, I saw that my car was gone. On opening the door in the morning, I saw that my car was gone .
• Before Marina told me the secret, she made sure nobody could hear us. Before telling me the secret, Marina made sure nobody could hear us.
• Tom went to bed after he had finished the game. - Tom went to bed after finishing the game.

Notice the following alterations in the English grammar:

• when -> on
• before -> before
• after -> after

Gerund vs. Present Participle

Sometimes it is difficult to know whether an ing-word is a gerund or a present participle. If you can replace the ing-word or its phrase with the pronoun it, then the word is a gerund. Look again at the examples below. One can replace the gerunds with “it”.

• Running is a good way to keep fit.
• Susan is very good at drawing.
• He loves dancing and singing.
• Have you ever tried sailing?
• I don’t like watching television.
• We enjoyed visiting our grandparents.

Modal sentences with "BY + GERUND"

• The thief got into the house by smashing a window
• By passing the ball back, Holland could score a goal.

Gerunds with or without "PERSONAL" or "POSSESSIVE PRONOUN"

Have a look at the following sentences and find the difference!
(1) I hate visiting this place!
(2) I hate him visiting this place!

Of course, the difference in “him” displays a totally different meaning in comparison of these two sentences. In the first example the person does not like visiting a certain place, while in the second one the person hates the fact that another man is visiting this place.

The possibility to change the meaning of a sentence with a simple pronoun can be seen in numerous ing-form structures.
Some examples: