Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Active Passive
In some cases, the verb in the main clause is negative, not the gerund:
As the gerund has no tense, it does not in itself indicate the time of the action
that it refers to. However, it can show whether this time is the same as or
earlier than the time of the verb in the main clause.
Simple gerund
The simple gerund can refer to the same time as that of the verb in the main
clause:
I hate arguing with you. (arguing refers to the same time as hate: I hate when we
argue.)
Tom suggested going back to our tents. (going refers to the same time
as suggested: Tom suggested that we should go back to our tents.)
The simple gerund can also refer to a time before that of the verb in the main
clause:
I don't remember saying anything like that. (saying refers to a time before don't
remember: I don't remember that I said anything like that.)
She regretted not studying harder when she was at school. (not studying refers to
a time before regretted: She regretted that she hadn't studied harder when he was
at school.)
Perfect gerund
The perfect gerund refers to a time before that of the verb in the main clause.
However, it is only used if the time of the action expressed by the gerund is not
obvious from the context:
He denied being married. (the simple gerund being refers to the same time
as denied: He denied that he was married.)
He denied having been married. (the perfect gerund having been refers to a time
before denied: He denied that he had been married.)
He denied stealing the car. (He denied that he had stolen the car.)
Passive gerunds
I hate being lied to. (passive simple gerund: I hate it when people lie to me.)
He complained of having been unjustly accused. (passive perfect gerund: He
complained that they had unjustly accused him.)