動名詞當主詞的句構問題

A gerund phrase consists of a gerund plus modifier(s), object(s), and/or complement(s). (1) Feeling sorry for the past is no use. Feeling sorry for the past - Gerund phrase as subject 動名詞片語當主詞. for the past - 介系詞片語當時間副詞 (2) Trying to do many things at a time is no good. Trying to do many things at a time - Gerund phrase as subject 動名詞片語當主詞. at a time = at the same time 同時 - (prepositional phrase as adverb) 介系詞片語當時間副詞 See http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/627/01/ The gerund phrase functions as the subject of the sentence. Finding a needle in a haystack would be easier than what we're trying to do. Finding (gerund) a needle (direct object of action expressed in gerund) in a haystack (prepositional phrase as adverb) The gerund phrase functions as the direct object of the verb appreciate. I hope that you appreciate my offering you this opportunity. my (possessive pronoun adjective form, modifying the gerund) offering (gerund) you (indirect object of action expressed in gerund) this opportunity (direct object of action expressed in gerund) The gerund phrase functions as the subject complement. Newt's favorite tactic has been lying to his constituents. lying to (gerund) his constituents (direct object of action expressed in gerund) The gerund phrase functions as the object of the preposition for. You might get in trouble for faking an illness to avoid work. faking (gerund) an illness (direct object of action expressed in gerund) to avoid work (infinitive phrase as adverb) The gerund phrase functions as the subject of the sentence. Being the boss made Jeff feel uneasy. Being (gerund) the boss (subject complement for Jeff, via state of being expressed in gerund) 2009-01-17 20:53:44 補充： I am unable to add more to my answer. So this is my comment. for the past is not 時間副詞 as indicated by Cavalier. for the past in this sentence is not an adverbial phrase indicating time. It is an adverbial phrase indicating the cause. 2009-01-17 20:54:02 補充： Why am I feeling sorry? Because of my past. I am feeling sorry for the past. for the past - 介系詞片語當因果副詞. 2009-01-18 15:30:50 補充： Hi, cgn888 I was also thinking about that too. Instead of being 時間副詞, I think that it should be 狀態副詞 In what manner do you try to do many things? I try to do many things at a time. at a time = simultaneously = 同時地. 2009-01-18 15:56:08 補充： Feeling sorry for the past is no use. sorry for the pase - 形容詞片語 形容 動名詞 Feeling. 2009-01-18 15:57:18 補充： Sorry a typo. sorry for the past - 形容詞片語 形容 動名詞 Feeling. 2009-01-18 16:01:27 補充： So I would say "sorry for the past" 是feeling的形容詞補語. 2009-01-23 23:09:52 補充： Hi, book 關鍵字 is "for", not "the past". That is why I thought it is 表因果的副詞片語. 2009-01-23 23:10:02 補充： For example: Why are you are sorry? I am sorry for being late. I am sorry for hurting John's feeling. I am sorry for doing this in the past. I am sorry for bringing up my past. I am sorry for my notorious past. I am sorry for the inglorious past. 2009-01-23 23:56:10 補充： Hi, book I would just look it this way. "Feeling sorry for the past" is a gerund phrase. "Sorry for the past" is an adjective phrase modifying "feeling" "for the past" is an adverbial phrase modifying "sorry".