The gerund and the participle

Question 1

Many younger workers do not have a clear understanding (?) of what they are entitled to.

Answer 1

noun

• has a premodifying adjective
• takes an article

Question 2

They trusted you on understanding (?) the language completely and speaking it idiomatically.

Answer 2

gerund

• stands after preposition → “nouny in character” → either noun or gerund
• modified by an adverb (object - only verbs take them) → gerund

Question 3

I have concluded that my understanding (?) of the world was substantially wrong.

Answer 3

noun

• it’s a subject → only a noun or a gerund

Question 4

Going through the appropriate computer program for understanding (?) Chinese is not enough to give you an understanding (?) of Chinese.

Answer 4

1st - gerund (has object)
2nd - noun (has an article, is after preposition)

Question 5

The only way to lead successfully is by fully understanding (?) your rights as a human being on this planet.

Answer 5

gerund

• modified by adverb, object

Question 6

Blanca would hold her head in her hands, not understanding (?) how we could get so excited about a war that had nothing to do with us.

Answer 6

participle

• has negation → has to be verbal
• it’s adverbial

Question 7

The boy made a disgusted face. Philip nodded, understanding (?).

Answer 7

participle

• it’s adverbial

Question 8

While writing (?) this I have had three cups of coffee.

Answer 8

participle

• adverbial
• it follows a conjunction

Question 9

Despite having been told (?) not to, I cannot resist sending you a tender farewell.

Answer 9

gerund

• can’t be a noun bc of “having been”
• despite = preposition - it has to be followed by sth nominal

Question 10

I found him sitting (?) alone on the sofa.

Answer 10

participle

• object complement

Question 11

The treaty brings about a genuine improvement in the situation of the developing (?) countries.

Answer 11

participle

Question 12

She went over to the cradle and looked at the sleeping (?) child.

Answer 12

participle

• child that is sleeping
  NOT a child for sleeping

Question 13

Everybody spent the following (?) morning putting (?) up Christmas decorations.

Answer 13

participle, participle (adverbial)

Question 14

A hundred years ago, our forefathers fought for an eight-hour working (?) day and better working (?) conditions.

Answer 14

gerund, gerund

Question 15

An elderly man came out of the villa dressed in a warm-up suit and jogging (?) shoes.

Answer 15

gerund

Question 16

Instead of chatting (?), making (?) love, and eating (?) well, he spent his time constantly running (?) round and round a stadium.

Answer 16

chatting, making, eating - gerund

running - participle

instead of = preposition

Question 17

He heard something in the path running (?) parallel to his own.

Answer 17

participle

Question 18

That pressure having been relieved (?), he closed his eyes and willed himself to sleep.

Answer 18

participle (adverbial)

Question 19

I was probably bright scarlet, what with her hugging (?) me and everything.

Answer 19

participle (adverbial)

Question 20

With her father imprisoned (?), she was just another girl.

Answer 20

participle

• gerunds NEVER end in -ed

Question 21

Formalities completed (?), the men sat down facing each other and exchanged small talk.

Answer 21

participle

• gerunds NEVER end in -ed

Question 22

Completed (?) in 1667, Hollar’s painting depicts the ruins of the city.

Answer 22

participle

• gerunds NEVER end in -ed

Question 23

sleeping drops X sleeping dogs

Answer 23

= drops for sleeping (like a noun) - gerund

= dogs that are sleeping - participle