Hello, everyone. Here, I need help regarding this topic below. I copy this from the web because I am confused by one point here. In the last sentence, "notice that this construction can be in any tense," here the word construction refers to what to verbs or gerung.
Please explain me this I am waiting for your reply.
Gerund in Passive Sense
We often use a gerund after the verbs need, require, and want.
In this case, the gerund has a passive sense.
Look at these example sentences. *Notice that this construction can be in any tense*:
I have three shirts that need washing. (need to be washed)
Not understanding gerund in passive sense - tense
Moderator: EC
-
Haadi
- Member
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:38 pm
- Status: Learner of English
- Location: Pakistan
-
Joe
- Admin/Teacher
- Posts: 1780
- Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2003 6:56 am
- Status: Teacher of English
- Location: England
Re: Not understanding gerund in passive sense - tense
I believe you are referring to this page:
https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-gerunds.php
"Notice that this construction can be in any tense" means that the verb need, require or want can be in any tense, as in the example sentences:
I have three shirts that need washing. (need to be washed) - present simple
I sent it back to the shop because it needed fixing. (needed to be fixed) - past simple
This letter requires signing. (needs to be signed) - present simple
The contract will require signing tomorrow. (will need to be signed) - future simple
The house wants repainting. (needs to be repainted) - present simple
Your hair has wanted cutting for weeks. (has needed to be cut) - present perfect
These are just examples.
Note that a gerund is a gerund (-ing) and never changes. A gerund itself has no tense.
https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-gerunds.php
"Notice that this construction can be in any tense" means that the verb need, require or want can be in any tense, as in the example sentences:
I have three shirts that need washing. (need to be washed) - present simple
I sent it back to the shop because it needed fixing. (needed to be fixed) - past simple
This letter requires signing. (needs to be signed) - present simple
The contract will require signing tomorrow. (will need to be signed) - future simple
The house wants repainting. (needs to be repainted) - present simple
Your hair has wanted cutting for weeks. (has needed to be cut) - present perfect
These are just examples.
Note that a gerund is a gerund (-ing) and never changes. A gerund itself has no tense.
"We are not wholly bad or good, who live our lives under Milk Wood :-| " — Dylan Thomas, Under Milk Wood
eBooks: English Prepositions List | Essential Business Words | Learn English in Seven
eBooks: English Prepositions List | Essential Business Words | Learn English in Seven
-
Haadi
- Member
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:38 pm
- Status: Learner of English
- Location: Pakistan
Re: Not understanding gerund in passive sense - tense
Thank you sir, you cleared my doubts.
-
Joe
- Admin/Teacher
- Posts: 1780
- Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2003 6:56 am
- Status: Teacher of English
- Location: England
Re: Not understanding gerund in passive sense - tense
Feel free to ask anytime
"We are not wholly bad or good, who live our lives under Milk Wood :-| " — Dylan Thomas, Under Milk Wood
eBooks: English Prepositions List | Essential Business Words | Learn English in Seven
eBooks: English Prepositions List | Essential Business Words | Learn English in Seven
-
Despoina
- Member
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Sep 05, 2023 9:32 am
- Status: Teacher of English
- Location: Greece
Re: Not understanding gerund in passive sense - tense
The verb "need" can be followed by different structures. Check this post out: https://www.instagram.com/p/CkX8Dr6IiA4/Haadi wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:43 pm Hello, everyone. Here, I need help regarding this topic below. I copy this from the web because I am confused by one point here. In the last sentence, "notice that this construction can be in any tense," here the word construction refers to what to verbs or gerung.
Please explain me this I am waiting for your reply.
Gerund in Passive Sense
We often use a gerund after the verbs need, require, and want.
In this case, the gerund has a passive sense.
Look at these example sentences. *Notice that this construction can be in any tense*:
I have three shirts that need washing. (need to be washed)