Hi, Anton!  Recently you wrote in a message to alexander koryagin:   
      
   AS>  I therefore view "invasion" in the phrase "invasion   
   AS>  of Iraq" as a gerund.   
      
   AK>  What about seeing it as a noun? :)   
      
   AS>  And what grammar school allows nouns to have direct   
   AS>  objects?   
      
      
              Where I come from "invasion" is a noun and "Iraq", in this context,   
   is not a direct object but the object of the preposition.   
      
              You seem to have missed the point that whatever the definition of a   
   gerund may be in other languages the gerund *in English* is the "-ing" form of   
   the verb used as a noun... and any reputable English/English dictionary should   
   be able to confirm my explanation here.  If you don't already have one I would   
   suggest taking a closer look at the numerous free online dictionaries....  :-)   
      
      
      
      
   --- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+   
    * Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)