GERUNDSHatice Yağmur

The Cost of U.S. Higher Education

In many countries the cost of a college education is not very high. In France,for example, university students pay an affordable $220 a year. French students do not have to worry about paying a lot for a college education because the government pays for it. In the United States,however, college tuition is more expensive. Many students have difficulty affording it, especially at private colleges. In 2010, the average cost per year of a private college in the United States was $ 35,000.

Public colleges generally cost less because they depend on the government to help pay some of the expenses of education. However, if budget cuts reduce that money, tuition can increase. This can prevent students from attending even a public college.

The tuition at community colleges is the least expensive, costing about $2,500- $3,000 a year. Community colleges offer two-year programs with an associate’s degree. Not attending a four-year college right away is one option students use to save money. Many students attend a community college for the first two years of college and then transfer to a more expensive school for the last two years.

To help pay for college, many students apply financial aid. Financial aid consists of loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. Students can apply for a student loan at a low interest rate. They must, however, plan on repaying the loan plus interest after they graduate. Some students want to avoid repaying loans, so they apply for grants, which they do not have to repay. Playing a sport for a college team is one way to receive a scholarship. Finally, students can apply for work-study programs. In these programs, students work at jobs at their school and receive a small salary to help pay for expenses.

For students interested in getting a higher education in the United States, the cost can be high; however, there are ways to make it less expensive. Once students resolve the issue of money, they can concentrate on having the exciting experience of college life.

Gerunds as Subjects and Objects

A gerund is the –ing form of a verb that functions as a noun. It can be the subject or object of a sentence.

Attending college is important these days.

I enjoy learning.

• Use a singular verb form when the gerund is the subject of a sentence.

Ex: Studying in the morning is difficult for me. Completing my application has taken hours.

Use not before a gerund to make it negative.

Ex: Not attending a four-year college is one option for students with little money.

Gerunds After Prepositions and Fixed Expressions

Use gerunds as the object of prepositions after these common verb+preposition combinations:

A. Likes, dislikes, emotions: be afraid of, care for, be excited about, be interested in, worry about (or be worried about)

Ex: Are you afraid of failing?

Bryn is excited about applying to college.

I worry about not choosing the right school.

C. Communication: complain about, hear of, insist on, talk about, be warned of

Ex: Some parents complain about having more than one child in college at the same time.

My friend insisted on visiting the school with with me.

B. Interests and efforts: be interested in, learn about, be responsible for, be successful at, take care of

Ex: My students are responsible for paying their own tuition.

D. Thought: be aware of, believe in, concentrate on, dream of, forget about

Ex: My sister dreams of winning a scholarship.

E. Blame and responsibility: admit to, apologize for, confess to, be guilty of

Ex: We apologize for not contacting you sooner.

OTHER: apply for, depend on, plan on, be used to

Ex: I’m used to taking care of myself. I’ve lived alone for years.

Use a gerund after certain common fixed verb+noun expressions:

have a difficult time

have difficulty

have trouble

spend time/money

waste time/money

Ex: She had trouble finishing her degree.

I spent a lot of time helping in the library.

Use a gerund after certain common fixed

noun+preposition expressions:

an excuse for

in favor of

an interest in

a reason for

Ex: There’s no excuse for being late.

He has a reason for choosing this school.

Gerunds after nouns+of

benefit of

cost of

danger of

(dis)advantage of

effect of

fear of

habit of

idea of

importance of

possibility of

problem of

process of

risk of

way of

Ex: The effects of being late are serious.

I’m in the habit of not getting up early.

The idea of not going to school is not an option.

The possibility of not graduating is worrisome.

Thanks