2. The girl singing now is my sister.
3. Singing is one of her hobbies(爱好).
三个句子中都有singing。第一个句子的singing是常见的现在进行式(Present Continuous)，是说眼下正在做什么；第二个句子的singing是现在分词(Present Participle)，它把sing这个动词转为形容词，但仍有动词的成份 ,你看看第三个句子的singing到底是什么东东呀？原来就是我们的主角动名词(Gerund)了！你看，sing原本是个动词，可是现在它加上ing后，看来竟像是一个名词了。 因此记住，不要以为一个动词加上ing后都是现在进行式呀！动名词可分为两大类：
一、名词性的动名词(Nominal Gerund)
Nominal Gerund 可以加上定冠词(Definite article，如 the)或不定冠词(Indefinite article，如 a, an)，其他可加在动名词前的还有如：my, this, some,any, all, no 等等。举例如下：
1. The mellow(愉快地) singing of the birds announces the coming of spring.(singing前加定冠词 the及形容词mellow；coming 前加 the)
2. We knew the robber was near when we heard a faint rustling(沙沙声) in the bushes.
(rustling 前加不定冠词a及形容词 faint)
从上面的例子可看出如何将一个动词转成名词；但它和真正的名词还是有区别的，那就是没有单数或复数之分。不过，有一些动名词是可以变成真正名词的喔，如：
saying, writing, opening, painting, cutting, heading,
feeling, being,
saving, surrounding, crossing, misunderstanding 等等。它们都可以有复数的喔，
方法就是在它们的后面加个s，如：paintings。
二、动词性的动名词(Verbal Gerund)
看看下面的句子：
Carelessly writing essays annoys the teacher.
上面的句子里的writing是动名词，但前面有副词carelessly（粗心地），后面又有受词(Object) essays。因此writing就有动词的特征。
注意：Verbal Gerund 这类动名词的前面可不能加上任何冠词(the, a, an ...)喔。
三、句子中动名词的逻辑主语(Implied Subject)
什么是动名词的逻辑主语呢？在句子中，除了原有的主语之外，属于动名词的"主语"，也就称为"逻辑主语"，一般位于动名词的前面。
3.1 在动名词前加"物主代词（如：my, his...)"或"名词所有格(如：Mary's,Dog's...)"
1. His coming here helped us a lot. (主语/逻辑主语his, 动名词coming）
2. Tom's escaping from the prison made trouble for the jailer.(主语/逻辑主
语Tom,动名词escaping)
3.2 作宾语(Object)的动名词有自己的逻辑主语时，在动名词前加"物主代词"或"名词所有格"
1. Do you mind my smoking in the romm? (逻辑主语my, 动名词smoking)
2. He insisted on Mary's staying there. (逻辑主语Mary, 动名词staying)
注意：作为逻辑主语的名词/代词为无生命时，则用通格（of the):
1. I cannot say there is no fear of the news spreading among intimatefriends. （逻辑主语news)
3.3 在下列情况中，不能使用所有格：
3.3.1 代词为 all, both, each, few, several, some, this 等作为逻辑主语时:
1. I remember all of them saying it .
3.3.2 数词、名词化形容词（如 the three, the old...)作逻辑主语时：
1. In spite of the three telling the same story, I could not believe
it.
3.3.3 结构中的逻辑主语是名子或短语，或受从句或短语修饰时：
1. Is there any chance of the people in the back of the room talking
a little louder?
四、动名词的语态
4.1 被动式(being + v-ed)
当动名词的逻辑主语所表示的是动作的对象时，动名词要用被动语态。
1. He dislikes being interrupted(被打岔) in his speech.
2. They couldn't stand being treated(被对待) like that.
4.2 完成式 (having + v-ed)
动名词的动作发生在谓语动词之前，要用完成式。
1. We regret having been unable to inform you of the meeting.
2. The students' having done(完成) the work so well made us very happy.
4.3 完成式的被动语态 (having been + v-ed)
1. I heard of his having been chosen(被选为) to be the coach of the team.
2. Some of our customers complained of having been treated(被对待)rudely.
4.4 在动词 need, want, require, deserve 之后的动名词（作为宾语），要用主动语态来表示被动的意思。
1. The flowers in the garden want watering(需要浇水）.
2. That's one of those questions that really don't need answering(不需回答).
在英文正式语体里，动名词可放在前置词(Preposition)后，以替代副词/状语的子句(Adverbial Clauses)
例：1. In case customers encounter difficulties, they should ring the following number:...
2. In case of encountering difficulties, customers should ring the following number:...
第二个句子的"In case of "动名词短句(Gerund Phrase) 取代第一个句子的 "Incase" 副词子句。下列都是这类例子：
1. In spite of doing his best, the pupil was reproached. (In spite of )
2. Despite coming in time, the visitors were not admitted. (despite)
3. For all his arguing, the teacher could not convince us. (for all)
4. The fireman distinguished himself by doing his duty to the utmost. (by)
5. In sending us the book you proved to be reliable. (In)
6. Instead of blaming the boy, the teacher encouraged him. (instead of )
7. The girl left without saying a word. (without)
8. The boy was blamed for breaking the window. (for)
9. The children got tired from learning too much. (from)
10. After spending the holidays with us, our nephew went back to England.(after)
11. Before going to bed, I opened the window. (before)
12. On arriving at the station, John was welcomed by his friends. (on)
13. Since leaving school, I have not seen my teacher. (since)
