Why don't we use gerunds in these cases

Suzanne D.B2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Why don't we use gerunds in these cases

I understand en buvant. But why is this incorrect: Sans me pressant (instead of presser) Avant partant (instead of partir) On passerait la journée discutant (instead of discuter)
Asked 3 years ago
CélineKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Bonjour Suzanne,

‘pressant’, ‘partant’, ‘discutant’ are all present participles and not gerund (see link below)

The gerund (Gérondif) is usually introduced by ‘en’: ‘en + -ant’

en mangeant while / by eating

en buvant = while / by drinking

‘Sans’ + present participle doesn’t exist in French. You use the infinitive instead:

Without listening = sans écouter

Without rushing sans se presser

Before leaving avant de partir

 

Passer [son temps / sa journée etc.] à + infinitive verb:

Il passe son temps à regarder la télé = he spends his time watching TV

Il passe sa journée à discuter au téléphone he spends the day talking on the phone

Follow the link which will give you more details on the difference between the gerund and the present participle: le-participe-present-et-le-gerondif

 

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

Why don't we use gerunds in these cases

I understand en buvant. But why is this incorrect: Sans me pressant (instead of presser) Avant partant (instead of partir) On passerait la journée discutant (instead of discuter)

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