The "subject" of the gerund

The doer of the action expressed by the gerund can be:

  • the subject of the sentence:
    I like getting up early in summer.
    He apologised for not writing for so long.
    I am looking forward to hearing from you.
    My mom insisted on tidying my room.
    Would you mind opening the window?
  • the noun/pronoun or possessive preceding the gerund:

    Irina doesn't like people telling her what to do.
    Sally's constant arguing is getting on my nerves.
    I objected to him/his calling me a liar.
    My mom insisted on me/my tidying my room.
    Would you mind me/my opening the window?

    (The possessive is more formal, and it is less common in everyday conversation.)

  • an indefinite or generalised subject (you, one, we, people etc.):

    In those days, being a student meant spending long hours in the library.

  • unexpressed and understood only from the context:
    Going home seemed to be the best idea.

Rate this page

up
519 users like this page.