Dogs, water, Jeffery The teacher, a cat, some ice A big, black spider The man who lives there Skiing To sing Whatever you do

Single words Article + Noun Adjective(s) + Noun Noun + relative clause Gerunds Infinitives Noun clauses

Functions

A dog is a man’s best friend. Whatever you do is up to you. Skiing is believing. He ate ten apples. I like to eat. Mr. Trump is my friend. That is the man (whom) I told you about.

As Subjects As Objects As Complements

As Objects of prepositions*

I don’t approve of John. I don’t approve of singing. I don’t approve of John’s singing. I don’t approve of John’s singing love songs. I don’t approve of whatever John does.

(the person) (the action) (gerund’s subject is possessive) (S gerund Obj.) (noun clause)

*Be careful. Only gerunds (not infinitives) can be used as objects of prepositions.

I look forward to Spring. I look forward to your party. I look forward to seeing you.

Prep. + Object Prep. + Object Prep. + Gerund

(In this case, “to” is a preposition, not part of an infinitive.)

I want to see you. I hope to see you. I enjoy seeing you. I avoid seeing you. I’m interested in seeing you. I’m tired of seeing you. I am accustomed to seeing you.

S V to V (infinitive) S V Ving (gerund) Prep + gerund