The Gerund
Read these examples of gerunds:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------Since Francisco was five years old, swimming has been his passion.Swimming = subject of the verb has been.Francisco's first love is swimming.Swimming = subject complement of the verb is.Francisco enjoys swimming more than spending time with his girlfriend Diana.Swimming = direct object of the verb enjoys.Francisco gives swimming all of his energy and time.Swimming = indirect object of the verb gives.When Francisco wore dive fins to class, everyone knew that he was devoted to swimming.Swimming = object of the preposition to.
Examples of adjectives + prepositions that can be followed by nouns/gerunds.
bored adj tired and impatient because you do not think something is interesting, or because you have nothing to do: Children easily get bored.| [+ with] I’m bored with the same old routine day after day.
con•fused adj unable to understand clearly what someone is saying or what is happening: I am
totally confused. Could you explain that again?| [+ about] If you are confused about anything, phone my office.
de•pressed adj a) feeling very unhappy: She felt lonely and depressed.| [+ about] Carter seemed depressed about the situation.
dis•ap•point•ed adj sad because something you hoped for did not happen, or because someone or something was not as good as expected: Dad seemed more disappointed than angry.| [+ about] Nathan’s really disappointed about not being able to go.
em•bar•rassed adj ashamed, nervous, or uncomfortable in a social situation: I managed to spill water on one of the guests – I was so embarrassed!| [+ about] At about the age of twelve, girls start feeling embarrassed about changing their clothes in front of other people.
ex•cit•ed adj happy, interested or hopeful because something good has happened or will
happen: Steve’s flying home tomorrow – we’re all very excited. | excited crowds of shoppers. |
[+ about] The kids are so excited about Christmas.
fright•ened adj feeling afraid: a frightened animal| [+ of] I was frightened of being left by myself in the house.
in•terest•ed adj giving a lot of attention to something because you want to find out more about it: [+ in] I’m not really interested in politics.
sur•prised adj having a feeling of surprise: Mr Benson looked surprised when I told him I was
leaving. |[+ at/by] We were all surprised at Sue’s outburst.
wor•ried adj unhappy because you keep thinking about a problem or are anxious about
something: Don’t look so worried – we’ll find him.| [about] She’s so worried about her exams.
