Gerund

[Flash]

What are the most usual way of describing the gerund?
The following sentences are given in my text book, so they should be correct:
I was frightened by his sudden appearance.
I was frightened by his opening the door so suddenly.
Having studied these two exmaples, I think that you can use both an adjective and an adverb after the gerund. Am I right?

Which of these three sentences is correct?
1. What about putting up a fence around our country cottage? I’m sick and tired of our neighbours constant looking at what we do!
2. What about putting up a fence around our country cottage? I’m sick and tired of our neighbours looking at what we do constantly!
3. What about putting up a fence around our country cottage? I’m sick and tired of the fact that our neighbours constantly look at what we do.
I think the last sentence would look more natural if I said - …the fact that our neighbours are always looking at what we do. Right?

[Bolo]

Teachers,

After having read the post above, which seems to be inetresting ,as it touches a couple of grammar issues (not only adjactives and adverbes but also word order and tenses),
I came up with my version of the sentence. Let's say version no. 4.

Would it be possible to put this way:

4. What about putting up a fence around our country cottage? I’m sick and tired of our neighbours constantly looking at what we're doing!

[Tdol]

The following sentences are given in my text book, so they should be correct:
I was frightened by his sudden appearance. I can't see a gerund here.
I was frightened by his opening the door so suddenly.


1. What about putting up a fence around our country cottage? I’m sick and tired of our neighbours constantly looking at what we do!
2. What about putting up a fence around our country cottage? I’m sick and tired of our neighbours looking at what we do constantly!
3. What about putting up a fence around our country cottage? I’m sick and tired of the fact that our neighbours constantly look at what we do.

I think the last sentence would look more natural if I said - …the fact that our neighbours are always looking at what we do. Right? Right

[Flash]

I was frightened by his sudden appearance. I can't see a gerund here.

You're right - there's no gerund in the first sentence. I just made a mistake. Thank you very much for correcting the other three sentences

[Casiopea]

Teachers,
After having read the post above, which seems to be interesting ,as it touches on a couple of grammar issues (not only adjectives and adverbs but also word order and tenses), I came up with my version of the sentence. Let's say version no. 4. Would it be possible to put this way:

4. What about putting up a fence around our country cottage? I’m sick and tired of our neighbours constantly looking at what we're doing!

Welcome, Bolo.

4. is fine.

[Bolo]

Thanks Cas,

I'd be grateful for explaining to me the difference in use of Present Simple and Simple Continuous in the last part of the disscused sentence.

The part: .....looking at what we do/looking at what we are doing.

Is there any difference in meaning? Do they emphasize something different?
Does it depend on circumstances?

Thanks

[Flash]

To be honest, I also wanted to ask this question. While writing these sentences I thought that I probably should use the continious tense. I don't really know the rule which explains when you should use the continious tense and why

[Tdol]

I'd say it gives more emphasis to the spying.

[engelska]

Everyone concerned with the spying -
Quote - 4. What about putting up a fence around our country cottage? I’m sick and tired of our neighbours constantly looking at what we're doing!

Isn't "looking" here a gerund? Because of the preposition "of" earlier in the sentence? "Sick and tired of ... looking"

[engelska]

Sorry - misread the question, I'll go back to bed!