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?

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]

Originally Posted by Bolo

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.

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!