Gerunds as subjects and after prepositions.

http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/gerund.htm

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.

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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.

INFINITIVE VS GERUND.

GERUND OR INFINITIVE? (e.g. working or to work?)
Gap-fill exercise

COCA COLA AND ITS ADVERTISING

Complete the following text using a gerund (e.g. working) or an infinitive (e.g. to work) from the list of verbs for each paragraph.


Paragraph A - [Choose from: build; set up; run; bring; make; transform]

John S. Pemberton invented Coca-Cola in 1886. His partner suggested------------ an advertisement for the drink in the Atlanta Journal that very year. In 1888, Asa Chandler bought the Coca-Cola business and decided------------ the product known through signs, calendars and clocks. The company began---------------- its global network when Robert Woodruff was elected president of the company in 1923. He succeeded in -----------------Coca-Cola into a truly international product by------------------- a foreign department, which exported Coca-Cola to the Olympic Games in Amsterdam in 1928. During World War II, he promised------------------------- Coca-Cola to every soldier in every part of the world.


Paragraph B - [Choose from: decide; reflect; appear; create]

Coca-Cola's advertising has always attempted -----------------changing contemporary lifestyles. ------------------an international advertising campaign requires the talents of professionals in many areas, and extensive testing and research are always done before----------------- which advertisements will finally be used. Celebrity endorsements have featured heavily - Cary Grant, Ray Charles and Whitney Houston are just three of the big name stars who have agreed--------- in Coca-Cola commercials.


Paragraph C - [Choose from: return; change; expand; launch; drink]

After--------------- Diet Coke in 1982, the company saw its sales grow quickly. The drink is now the third most popular in the world. In 1985, the company tried------------- the secret formula of Coca-Cola, but realised that Americans were very attached to the original recipe. The company listened to its consumers and quickly responded by ------------------the original formula to the market as 'Coca-Cola Classic'. Today, people in more than 160 countries around the globe enjoy----------------- Coca-Cola. It is asked for more than 524 million times a day in more than 80 languages. The company intends---------------------- its global presence even further in the twenty-first century, particularly in developing markets.

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS HERE: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/langc/support/exercises/int/grammar/coca-cola.htm

GERUND VS INFINITIVE.