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premodifying attribute is used without a preposition, as in a dancing master, a diving suit, a reading lamp, a
spending habit, a working method, a writing career, a swimming pool, a walking stick, etc.*
* See §132.
The gerund as adverbial modifier
§ 126. Owing to the variety of prepositions which may precede the gerund in the function of an adverbial
modifier, a gerund may have different meanings.
1) As an adverbial modifier of time it may characterize the main verb from the viewpoint of priority,
simultaneity, or posteriority. It may also indicate the starting point of the action. The prepositions used are on,
after, in, before, since.
One day, on returning to his hotel, he found a note in his room.
At first he couldn’t understand. After thinking it over he hit upon the explanation.
And I’ll wash the dishes and clean up before coming to bed.
I had had a lot of thoughts since leaving the office.
2) As an adverbial modifier of reason it is introduced by the prepositions because of, for, from, for fear of,
on account of, through.
So you see I couldn’t sleep for worrying.
We lost ourselves through not knowing the way.
He (Jolyon) took care not to face the future for fear of breaking up his untroubled manner.
3) As an adverbial modifier of manner the gerund generally occurs with the prepositions by or without.
You will achieve a lot by felling the truth.
She dressed without making a sound.
4) As an adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances it requires the preposition without.
They danced without speaking. (= They danced and didn’t speak)
The door opened without having been knocked on.
5) As an adverbial modifier of concession it is preceded by the preposition in spite of:
I don’t ask any questions in spite of there being a lot of questions to ask.
6) As an adverbial modifier of condition it takes the prepositions without, but for, in case of.
You won’t enrich your vocabulary without making use of an English dictionary. (= if you don’t make use
of...)
But for meeting John, I shouldn’t have become an English teacher.
7) As an adverbial modifier of purpose it is introduced by the preposition for, though this pattern is rather
rare.
They took her to the station for questioning.
The gerund and the infinitive compared
§ 127. The gerund and the infinitive have much in common since they both have some nominal and some
verbal features. However, in the infinitive the verbal nature is more prominent, whereas in the gerund the
nominal one.