Determiner Gerunds

The determiner gerund tree in Figure 17.1 is anchored by a V, capturing the fact that the gerund is derived from a verb. The verb projects an N and instantiates the direct object as an of PP. The nominal category projected by the verb can now display all the syntactic properties of basic nouns, as discussed above. For example, it can be straightforwardly modified by adjectives; it cannot co-occur with aspect; and it can appear with articles. The only difference of the determiner gerund nominal with the basic nominals is that the former cannot occur without the determiner, whereas the latter can. The determiner gerund tree therefore has an initial D modifying the N.^17.3 It is used for gerunds such as the ones in bold face in sentences ((260)), ((261)) and ((262)).

   

Figure: Determiner Gerund tree from the transitive tree family: $\alpha$Dnx0Vnx1

$\alpha$Dnx0Vnx1

The D node can take a simple determiner (cf. example ((260))), a genitive pronoun (cf. example ((261))), or a genitive NP (cf. example ((262))).^17.4

(259)0(259

(260)

Some think that the selling of bonds is beneficial.  (260)0(260

(261)

His painting of Mona Lisa is highly acclaimed.  (261)0(261

(262)

Are private markets approving of Washington's bashing of Wall Street?