bendetskaya m e gerund english grammar practice 2

Thus, we find complex subjects, complex predicatives, complex objects, complex attributes and complex adverbials expressed by predicative constructions with the gerund.. Thus, we find c

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старший преподаватель кафедры ТиПАР МГЛУ М Е Бендецкая, старший преподаватель кафедры ТиПАР МГЛУ Т В Рахунок, старший преподаватель кафедры ТиПАР МГЛУ Н В Федосеева, преподаватель кафедры ТиПАР МГЛУ С А Лысенко, преподаватель кафедры ТиПАР МГЛУ Ю В Кривко

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The Morphological Categories o f the Gerund 3

The gerund is a non-finite form of the verb that ends in -ing and functions as a noun In other words,

the gerund is a verbal with some syntactic nominal features

• Gerunds can function as subjects, predicatives

• Gerunds can combine with the determiner 'no'.

Unlike a noun of verbal origin which tends to express the fact or the result of the action or state, the

gerund emphasises the process itself, it shows an action or state of being Compare:

I spent two weeks in translating the article.

I ln this book we often use the phrase 'the action of the gerund' to describe a range of meanings the

gerund has: the process, state of being and action This is done to save the reader's precious time and

® valuable space in the book

THE MORPHOLOGICAL CATEGORIES OF THE GERUND

The morphological characteristics of the gerund reveal its verbal nature The four forms of the gerund reflect two morphological categories: the category of time correlation and the category of voice.

THE CATEGORY OF TIME CORRELATION

Gerunds do not have the category of tense and can not refer an action directly to the present, past

or future Their time reference is relative: it can be understood through the reference of the action

expressed by the gerund to the time of the finite verb This peculiarity is based on the category of time correlation, which is revealed in the opposition of non-perfect and perfect forms.

N O N -P E R FE C T P E R F E C T

Ш The non-perfect gerund - often called indefinite - may describe

1 an action that takes place at the same time with the action of the finite verb

He is / was / will be surprised at seeing us.

= Он удивлен / удивился / будет удивлен, увидев нас.

2 an action that follows the action of the finite verb

She has an odd feeling about going to the party the following day.

= У нее странное чувство по поводу посещения вечеринки на следующий день.

3 an action that refers to no particular time.

Stretching exercises helped him to relax.

Упражнения на растяжку помогли ему расслабиться.

4 an action that precedes the action of the finite verb

Non-perfect gerunds can be used to express actions that precede the actons of the finite verb

• after verbs of recollection: recall, recollect, remember, etc

and their opposites: forget, overlook, disregard, etc.

Mason could not remember going to school fo r the first time.

Мейсон не помнил, как он впервые пошел в школу.

• after verbs / predicative word groups of gratitude: appreciate, be grateful for, be thankful for,

be glad about, thank for, express gratitude for, show gratitude for, etc.

The Syntactic Characteristics o f the Gerund 5

Thank you fo r helping us at that critical moment.

= Спасибо за то, что вы помогли нам в решающий момент.

• after verbs / predicative word groups of blame and reproach: accuse, blame, be responsible for,

hold responsible for, be accountable for, be guilty about / o f be sorry about / for, charge with,

criticize for, regret, scold for, etc and their opposites: excuse for, forgive for, pardon for, etc.

He was sorry fo r arriving late.

• after verbs of reward: admire, approve of, commend fo r / on, praise for, etc.

I cannot approve o f his leaving school when sixteen.

- Я не могу одобрить то, что он бросил школу в шестнадцать лет.

• after the prepositions on, upon, after and since.

Since winning the prize, he has gained world-wide recognition.

= С тех пор, как он выиграл приз, он получил всемирное признание.

Perfect gerunds in these cases emphasise the gap of time between the actions of the finite verb

and the gerund Compare:

I regret saving that.

Ш The perfect gerund describes an action that precedes the action of the finite verb.

Without having seen so much in his life, he would not be able to help you.

= He испытав так много в своей жизни, он бы не мог помочь вам.

His regret is having never been elected to the Senate.

= Он сожалел о том, что его никогда не избирали в Сенат.

THE CATEGORY OF VOICE

f f l Gerunds of transitive verbs have voice distinctions.

I prefer reading to being read to.

The Syntactic Characteristics of the Gerund 1

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Ex 1 1 State the forms of the gerunds and explain why they are used.

1 She waited a minute or two before speaking

2 I'm sorry for disturbing you

3 Raymond did not like being called Ray

4 It is natural living like this alone with Nature

5 She denies having met James yesterday

6 On being told the news she gave a gasp of surprise

7 The idea is worth considering

8 Thorpe was terrified, terrified of having to touch something, and even more, of beingtouched

9 She kept eyeing Henry with interest

10 All 1 want is getting to the truth

11 1 seem to remember being told not to grumble by someone

12 After pausing for breath she announced, "1 have some excellent news."

13 1 gave no sign of having been informed of their arrival

14 People will talk, there is no preventing it

15 1 appreciate your helping me

Ex 2 Open the brackets using non-perfect forms of gerunds in the active and passive voice.

1 Why do you avoid (to see) me?

2 He tried to avoid (to see)

3 We insist on (to send) him there at once

4 He insists on (to send) there instead of me

5 He showed no sign of (to know) them

6 She showed no sign of (to impress)

7 He had the most irritating habit of (to joke) at the wrong moment

8 1 was annoyed at (to interrupt) every other moment

9 He hated (to remind) people of their duties or (to remind) of his

10 On (to introduce) they easily fell to (to talk)

11 The equipment must go through a number of tests before (to install)

12 The water requires (to filter)

13 Jack would have gone to his bedroom without (to see)

14 My sister would never leave without (to see) me

15 The matter is not worth (to speak of)

E x ^ ^ l Open the brackets using the appropriate forms of gerunds.

1 I don't mind (to stay) here for a little while

2 The boy was afraid of (to punish) and hid himself

3 She denied (to see) me at the concert though I'm sure I saw her in the stalls.

4 I want to thank her for (to look) after the children while I was out

5 I remember (to take) to Paris when I was a very small child

6 I sat on the doorstep thinking over my chances of (to escape) from home

7 It's no good (to deny) that

8 The coat showed evident signs of (to wear) on the preceding night

9 Since Tom was their best friend, he helped them without (to ask)

10 He could not help (to know) that there were odious people who called him a snob

11 I don't like (to spy) on

12 I strongly suspect Gerald of (to know) all about it beforehand, though he swears he didn't

13 The old man could not stand (to make) fun of

14 The camera wanted (to adjust)

15 But I can't tell you how grateful I am to you for (to listen) to me It was so kind of you

Translate the fragments in brackets using gerunds.

1 He was afraid of (что его неправильно поймут)

2 I remember (что видела) this film before

3 These towels need (стирать)

4 On (войдя) the hall she saw a lot of familiar faces

5 Are you thinking of (купить) a PlayStation?

6 Jackie regrets (что сказала) that to Allie

7 I really don't feel like (ужинать) tonight Do you?

8 They're going to postpone (принятие) a decision until next month

9 I hate (когда меня обманывают) by taxi drivers

10 He gave no sign of (что узнал) us

Translate into English using gerunds.

The Predicative Construction with the Gerund 9

THE PREDICATIVE CONSTRUCTION WITH THE GERUND

Ш The predicative construction with the gerund is a construction in which a gerund or a gerund phrase expresses the action or state of the nominal element In other words, the gerund refers to

a subject of its own The subject of the gerund is different from the subject of the sentence The elements of the construction are in secondary subject-predicate relation1 Compare:

It's no use arguing.

The vital thing is keeping fit.

I was happy about coming to see them

I like dancing.

It's no use NANCY'S / NANCY arguing.

The vital thing is YOUR keeping fit.

I was happy about TOM / TOM'S coming to see them

I like BOTH OF THEM dancing.

f f l The nominal element of the construction can be expressed by

• a noun in the possessive case

I was happy about Emma's coming to visit us.

= Я была счастлива, что Эмма приезжает к нам в гости.

• a noun or nouns in the common case A noun is used in the common case when the agent is

emphasised or when it denotes a lifeless thing When the nominal element is expressed bytwo nouns, they are used in the common case

I was happy about Emma coming to visit us.

• a possessive pronoun or a personal pronoun in the objective case

I admire his / him crossing the channel on a stormy night.

= Я восхищаюсь тем, что он пересек пролив в бурную ночь.

The climbers talked about lightning and its being dangerous.

= Альпинисты разговаривали о молнии и о том, что она опасна.

• some other pronoun: all (of), both (of), each (of), this, that, something, everybody, etc.

He was conscious o f something unusual going on around himself.

= Он осознавал, что нечто необычное происходило вокруг него.

1 The primary subject-predicate relation is the relation between the subject and the predicate of a sentence.

The boss insisted on both o f them coming in time.

Щ Any form of the gerund can be used within the construction

We all know o f this group designing a new vehicle.

Joshua knew nothing about her being sent to London.

His having studied physics contributed to the success o f our research.

The key to success was our having been trained for the tournament.

Щ The elements of the construction form a syntactic complex that operates as one syntactic whole Thus, we find complex subjects, complex predicatives, complex objects, complex attributes and complex adverbials expressed by predicative constructions with the gerund.

complex subject

Our arrivina so late at niaht reallv bothered her

It's no use vour trvina to avoid me.

There is no his deceivina us anv lonaer.

complex predicative What worries me most is their beina late.

complex attribute He liked the idea o f our aoina to Paris on the weekend.

complex adverbials

On his comina on staae we broke into aoolause.

Pam passed bv without our noticina her.

He did it for our learnina the truth.

In case o f vour followina mv advice, we will achieve the aoal

In spite o f his beina late, we manaaed to finish the work.

1 am nervous because o f their stavina out late.

The Predicative Construction with the Gerund 11

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Translate the following sentences into Russian Point out syntactic complexes with gerunds Pay attention to the ways of expressing the nominal element.

1 Don't think she'll approve of your telling me this

2 She turned round on his entering the room

3 Of course, I should insist on your accepting the proper professional fee

4 She was startled by the noise of the outer door being opened

5 His friends'betraying him filled him with bitterness

6 We knew nothing of his being a humorous writer

7 It was no good your leaving this case unsettled

8 Do you agree to our taking her up to town and putting her under the best control?

9 His breathing heavily when he greeted her was the result of running up two flights of stairs

10 Someone might have gone to the table without your noticing

11 I don't like the idea of you all going off from early morning till late at night I don't like being alone

12 Nick was very much excited about his favourite cake getting spoiled

13 Your advertising yourself continually is vulgar

14 I can't bear the thought of your deserting your post when your presence is so necessary

15 There is no doubt of his having mastered English thoroughly

Supply both the possessive and object form of the words provided.

Model: The firm doesn't m ind _ arriving at ten o'clock (I) ->

The firm doesn't mind m y/ me arriving at ten o'clock.

1 I can't excuse not answering our invitation (Sally)

2 They tried to sto p _ singing, (we)

3 I'm worried about taking so much money, (she)

4 I'm bored w ith _ complaining, (you)

5 Do you know the reason fo r stopping work? (they)

6 What do you think about resigning? (Tom)

7 Do you m ind smoking? (I)

8 I can't im agine _ approving the plan! (my boss)

9 What do you think o f leaving the country like that? (they)

10 I can think of no reason fo r saying that, (she)

11 They don't understand leaving home when he did (John)

12 She's worried about _being arrested, (we)

13 They resented _ winning the prize (I)

14 Who told you ab out _being sacked? (he)

Paraphrase the sentences using complexes with the gerund according to the model Model: They objected to applying this method into practice ->

They objected to this method being applied into practice.

1 We don't mind mentioning the fact.

2 You are responsible for doing this work in time

3 She was quite unaware of being watched by the people

4 He never confessed to having sent the letter

5 The director of the library insisted on binding the books before they were given out to the readers

6 Father hated being contradicted by any one of us

7 She never referred to having been assisted by anybody

8 When a small boy, he liked being taken out hunting by his father

9 During an air raid some prisoners of war managed to escape without being noticed by the guards

10 She was distressed at having spoilt all the fun by one silly remark

Use the elements in brackets to construct complexes with the gerund Insert prepositions if necessary.

1 It is not worth while (vou, to worrv)

2 The functioning of the mechanism depends (it, to handle) properly

3 1 won't stand (anvbodv, to talk) to Mother like that

4 You must forgive (the bov, to be so curious)

5 We were surprised (he, to take) the whole affair into his own hands

6 1 count (Mr Dunne, to come) to the committee tomorrow

(He, to be) there will carrv more weight

7 She won't believe (1, to be) to France

8 Ratterer's idea (Clvde, to go) to his uncle Samuel not onlv pleased butalso annoyed him

9 1 heard (the committee, to turn down) the proposal

10 1 understand perfectly _ (the girl, not to want) to leave

11 David was in constant fear (his step-father, to punish) him for something

12 Emily was confused (we all, to observe) her and hung down her head

Paraphrase the following so as to use complexes with the gerund.

1 I remember that the children looked through the album last Sunday

2 There is a chance that my family will move to another city

3 Do you mind if they join us?

4 We were all surprised that the project had not yet been put into practice

5 Fancy how Boris appeared here all of a sudden!

Ex 10

The Predicative Construction with the Gerund 13

6 I'm trying to tell you I have no objection if you see Jim

7 Mother will be terribly disappointed if Harry doesn't get the job

8 Rita realized that she must be going; her parents might be worried if she stayed out laterthan usual

9 Nancy insists that her father should allow her to keep a monkey as a pet

10 My sister is very displeased that I have broken her favourite cup

11 The police have no objection that the man should be set free

12 That he had been away for so many years made him feel quite a stranger in that bigcity

13 I couldn't bear the idea that anybody should interfere with what I thought to be my personal affair

Complete the following sentences using complexes with the gerund.

1 1 didn't mind 7 1 don't like the idea

2 They objected 8 Do you think there is any use ?

3 She prevented 9 1 can't bear the thought

4 1 don't remember 10 There was no point

5 He entered the room w ithout 11 It was good

6 They insisted 12 He could no more resist

Translate the sentences into English using complexes with the gerund.

12 Профессор предложил нам взять новую тему для исследования

13 Все знали, что он очень добрый человек, несмотря на то, что он выглядел суровым

14 Я совсем не возражаю против того, чтобы вы пользовались моим принтером

15 Интересно, как она вошла в дом так, что мы не видели ее

Insert a pronoun where necessary.

1 I rem em ber meeting her once

2 I can't rem em ber ever meeting each other They live in different countries

3 I object t o _interfering in their family life It's none of my business

4 I object t o _interfering in my personal life They are just neighbours

5 They were keen o n _ winning the match We deserved it

6 We are keen o n winning the game They are a nice team

7 Simon never m entioned _ letting him down He just forgave them

8 Daniel once m entioned letting them down He still felt guilty

9 Excuse me fo r calling you so late But I need you badly

10 Excuse calling you in the middle of the night They needed you urgently

11 We could not prevent happening

12 Nothing could prevent them from gossiping

13 My friends forgot promising to call on me I had a lonely evening

14 They came but there was no one at home She fo rgo t promising to drop in andwent for a walk

15 His strong capable hands showed no signs o f being used for hard manual work

Щ Translate the fragments into English using complexes with the gerund where necessary.

1 I don't remember

a) (чтобы он сказал) anything of the kind

b) (чтобы я сказал) anything of the kind

The Predicative Construction with the Gerund 15

7 а) (Несмотря на то, что им было очень холодно), they would not stop their observations,b) (Несмотря на то, что было очень холодно), they would not stop their observations

8 We are greatly thankful to them for

a) (что нам была предоставлена) such ample opportunity

b) (что мы имели) such ample opportunity

c) (что они предоставили нам) such ample opportunity

THE SYNTACTIC FEATURES OF THE GERUND

Ш Syntactically, the verbal character of the gerund is expressed in its combinability.

1 Gerunds can be modified by adverbials expressed by adverbs or prepositional phrases

I enjoy walking slowly in the park.

2 Gerunds can take prepositional objects.

I have no objections to hearing about his travel again.

3 Gerunds of transitive verbs can take direct and indirect objects

His hobby is watching TV.

Thank you fo r providing us shelter.

Ш The nominal character of the gerund reveals itself in its syntactic functions and combinability.

1 Gerunds can function as subjects, predicatives or objects

It is so nice meeting you, [a subject]

What pleased him was dancing with the princess, [a predicative]

I like dining out, [an object]

2 Gerunds used as predicatives, objects, attributes or adverbials can take prepositions

The way to achieve success is by joining our effort, [a predicative]

Fear sometimes stops you from doing stupid things, [an object]

Robinson never lost hope o f leaving the island, [an attribute]

On taking off the plane disappeared in the clouds, [an adverbial of time]

3 Gerunds can combine with nouns in the possessive case or possessive pronouns

I am proud o f my students' coming first in the tournament.

Excuse my calling so late Jess.

4 Gerunds can combine with the determiner 'no'.

There is no avoiding the fight.

Ш Gerunds perform their syntactic functions alone or in combination with other words They form:

• gerund phrases that operate as a syntactic whole Thus, we find phrasal subjects, phrasal predicatives, phrasal objects, phrasal attributes and phrasal adverbials.

Thinking hard over so many things bored him to death.[a phrasal subject]

What I hate is beina constantly told what to do [a phrasal predicative]

The Syntactic Features of the Gerund 17

Never aet tired o f doing little things for others, [a phrasal prepositional object]

I have no intention o f leaving this comfortable cottaae [a phrasal attribute]

You can't make an omelette without breaking eaas [a phrasal adverbial of

condition]

• gerund predicative complexes / constructions that operate as a syntactic whole Thus,

we find complex subjects, complex predicatives, complex objects, complex attributes and complex adverbials expressed by predicative constructions with the gerund.

Jane's thinking so Iona bored him to death, [a complex subject]

What worries me most is their being late, [a complex predicative]

We are worried about the kid traveling on his own, [a complex object]

He liked the idea o f our aoina to Paris on the weekend, [a complex attribute]

On his coming on stage we broke into applause, [a complex adverbial of time]

I am nervous because of their staving out late, [a complex adverbial of reason]

THE GERUND AS A SUBJECT OF A SENTENCE

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.

Sir Richard Steele

It's no good crying over spilt milk.

Gerund subjects precede the predicates; they are placed first Any form of the gerund can be

used as a subject in this pattern

Learning without thought is labour lost.

= Учение, лишенное мысли, - напрасный труд.

Being bothered all the time does not help me to complete the task.

= To, что меня все время беспокоят, не помогает мне выполнить задание Having once failed at the exam still upsets me.

= To, что я однажды завалил экзамен, до сих пор огорчает меня.

The lecturer's having been interrupted shows their lack o f manners.

= To, что лектора перебили, демонстрирует их невоспитанность.

PATTERN 2.

The introductory IT is placed first to emphasise the meaning of the gerund subject Any form of the gerund can be used in this pattern Common predicates in such cases are: be (of) no use; be

no good; be useless; be worth (while); make all th e / n o difference and the like.

It was (of) no use trying to forget her.

The introductory THERE is used to emphasise gerund subjects preceded by NO Only non-perfect

gerunds follow this pattern.

There is no avoiding the fight.

= Борьбы не избежать.

There is no accounting for her moods.

= Невозможно объяснить смену ее настроения.

Ш Structurally, gerund subjects can be

• simple - expressed by a single gerund.

Studying is important.

• phrasal - expressed by a gerund phrase.

Studying computers becomes important nowadays.

• complex - expressed by a predicative complex with a gerund.

Irene's studying foreign languages will do her a world o f good.

The Syntactic Features o f the Gerund 19

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Translate into Russian and comment on the use of the gerunds Point out syntactic complexes with gerunds.

A.

1 Coming to class on time is important

2 There's no denying that he's intelligent

3 It's no good trying to persuade her to come with us

4 Their being so keen on flying surprises me

5 It's no use doing things by halves

6 Cooking a soft-boiled egg takes three minutes

7 It made no difference trying to reason with him

8 Your not having heard from Molly is disappointing

9 Is living in an apartment expensive?

10 It's worth while touring your native land

11 There's no denying that travelling broadens the horizons

12 The student's reading authentic literature improved his English

13 It made all the difference having been given that one extra day off

B

-1 It's no use crying over spilt milk

2 Being in love shows a person who he should be

3 Having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it, is

4 Saying and doing are two things

5 Maybe it's what's inside that counts, but being told you look good feels good!

6 Once you do something really mature, there is no turning back

7 Your being born in a duck yard does not matter, if only you are hatched from a swan's egg

8 Talking mends no holes

9 Without emotion, there is no transforming darkness into light and apathy into movement

10 Laughing at our mistakes can lengthen our own life Laughing at someone else's can shorten it

11 There is no good his arguing with the inevitable

12 Walking is man's best medicine

13 It's no use your worrying about everything

14 I am an optimist — it does not seem to be much use being anything else

Ex 17 Complete the sentences using the gerunds from the right column as subjects Note

the patterns gerund subjects follow.

personal calls from the office is forbidden

I'm afraid it's no u se this discussion

There was no _

You know, her

It's no go o d

by boat is fun

how his father would react to the news

_ cleverer than her husband was half the trouble,

to him — he never listens

about other cultures is interesting

a) continuingb) learningc) makingd) talkinge) travellingf) beingg) telling

Transform the sentences according to the model.

Model A: It's very difficult to windsurf properly ->

Windsurfing properly is very difficult.

1 It takes a long time to learn a foreign language

2 Grow your own food, it's less expensive

3 Give up smoking: it will make you feel better

4 A good way of keeping fit is to swim every day

5 It's impossible to park your car during office hours

6 Ann is often late It makes the teacher very cross

7 The police try to find evidence at the crime scene If they do, it'll be very convenient

Model B: I'll call to Vienna Is it worth it? ->

Is it worth while my calling to Vienna?

8 Don't tell me to take it easy It's useless

9 Why are you getting angry? It's no good That won't help solve the problem

10 Don't even try to make excuses It's no use because she won't believe you

11 I know that he has been informed but it makes no difference

12 If your organization requires frequent reports, standardize the framework for them It's worth it

Model C: You can never tell what he may do next.

There's no telling what he may do next.

13 Once he started talking on his favourite subject, nothing would stop him

14 No one would have denied the strength of the argument

15 When they are together they must quarrel, and it is impossible to avoid it

16 She is so unbalanced It is hardly possible to account for her moods

17 The old man is very shrewd You won't deceive him

18 He was ready to gratify her every wish, but she was not to be easily satisfied

Ex 18

The Syntactic Features o f the Gerund 21

Open the brackets using the appropriate form of gerunds Point out complexes with gerunds if there are any.

1 (To keep up) friendship is difficult

2 Venice is a city where (to walk) is not merely desirable but inevitable

3 His (to fail) at the entrance examination was a great disappointment tohis mother

4 For a woman (to need) is everything in life

5 It's no use vour (to spend) money on impractical household items

6 There is no (to stand) still when everyone is dancing

7 It's no good (to ask) Tom to help you

8 Jack laughed Their (to bother) about something amused him

9 It was great fun (to ski) in the wood

10 There was no (to mistake) the sound

11 It's no use (to pump) a dry well

12 Peter's (to complain) didn't do him any good

13 Isn't it heaven (to say) good-bve and (to know) we shall meetagain in an hour?

14 It's wonderful (to achieve) so much by the age of 25

Complete the following sentences using gerunds as subjects.

1 There is no 6 It will make no difference

2 It was no good 7 was a great pleasure

3 was not a simple matter 8 It was no use

5 is a must for me 10 has become a daily ritual with me

Ex 21 Speak about your hobbies, likes and dislikes, your everyday activities What is a must

for you and what is not? Use gerunds as subjects.

Some of these sentences contain errors Find and correct them.

1 It's no deceiving him, he can read my face like a book

2 Since you know everything, it's no use my telling you

3 Mary's having put in an awkward position irritated both of us

4 It's no well complaining about it

5 Having a good teacher has made all the difference for Alex

6 It's useless of your telling me not to worry

7 There is no being denied his talent

8 Sitting in a train for 24 hours isn't her idea of bliss Sunbathing in the garden is more her line

Translate the fragments in brackets.

1 (Работать) with him was fun

2 (To, что ты пришла) has done him good

3 (Стоит посмотреть) the ballet

4 (To, что ты так равнодушна) irritates me a great deal

5 It was quite unexpected (что он пришел) so soon

6 She felt exhilarated, (невозможно было отрицать) it

7 (Бесполезно обсуждать) it now, we must act

8 (Жить) in a foreign country can be very difficult

9 (Нехорошо сплетничать) about other people

10 (Водить) a car and (разговаривать) on the car phone at the same time demands care

Gerunds in Predicates 23

GERUNDS IN PREDICATES

The gerund can function as part of a compound nominal predicate (predicative), part of a compound verbal modal predicate or part of a compound verbal aspect predicate It should be reminded

that a compound predicate consists of a structural and notional parts The structural part carries

grammatical information - the person, number, tense, voice, mood, modality of the predicate It is expressed by a finite verb - a link verb, phasal / aspect verb, modal verb or modal expression The

notional part is the bearer of lexical meaning It can be expressed by a gerund.

OF A COMPOUND NOMINAL PREDICATE (PREDICATIVE)

Seeing is believing.

I can't help admiring her.

OF A COMPOUND VERBAL ASPECT PREDICATE

The child began crying bitterly.

THE GERUND AS A PREDICATIVE

My personal hobbies are reading, listening to music, and silence.

Edith Sitwell

link verb + PREDICATIVE = compound nominal predicate

Creativity is seeing something that doesn't exist yet.

Ш The notional part of a compound nominal predicate - the predicative - can be expressed by any

form of the gerund The link verb 'BE' is used as the structural part of the predicate.

Napoleon's mistake was attacking Russia in 1812.

Your problem is having been spoilt as a child.

= Твоя проблема в том, что тебя в детстве избаловали.

f f l Gerund predicatives can be introduced by prepositions: like, by, in, for, etc.

Swimming is like fivina in the sea.

f f l Structurally, gerund predicatives can be

• simple — expressed by a single gerund.

His favourite pastime is cooking.

• phrasal — expressed by a gerund phrase.

The only remedy fo r such a headache is aoina to bed early.

• complex — expressed by a predicative construction with a gerund.

The main problem is vour staving out late.

Gerunds in Predicates 25

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Translate into Russian and comment on the use of the gerunds Point out syntactic complexes with gerunds.

A.

1 My favourite form of exercise is jogging

2 What he really enjoyed was getting rare stamps

3 One solution to the large number of cars on the roads will be taking a bus

4 What tired him greatly was being questioned by newspaper correspondents

5 My ideal summer job would be guiding tourists around the city

6 After Roberto completes his English studies, the next step will be entering the university

7 What surprises me most is his knowing the route so well He must have visited the place several times without us

8 It would really make a difference having a bit of extra money

9 What annoyed me most was his having been invited there

10 Rooming with Fred was like sharing a telephone booth with a hippopotamus

B.

1 Seeing is believing

2 Ambition is putting a ladder against the sky

3 Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need

4 The worst thing of all is standing by when folks are doing something wrong

5 The only thing that makes life possible is our not knowing what comes next

6 There is no accounting for tastes

7 The greatest pleasure in life is your doing what people say you cannot do

8 Marriage is not just spiritual communion, it is also remembering to take out the trash

9 Writing about music is like dancing about architecture

10 Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking

11 Living is having ups and downs and sharing them with friends

12 There is a distinction between achievement and success Achievement is knowing that you have studied and worked hard and done the best Success is being praised by others

13 Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it

14 Part of the pleasure of friendship is trusting without absolute evidence and being rewarded for that trust

The key in life is (to set) goals.

What teachers usually dislike most is their pupils' _ (to cheat)

My biggest nightmare is _ (to forget) to turn up for the exams

The really important thing w a s _(to save) the children

My hobby is _ (to cook)

The most important part is _ (to help) people to live normal lives

All I want is h e r (to get) to the truth

What he loves best in the world is (to meet) old friends

Her worst habit is _ (to lie)

To discuss the international situation with them was like som eone _ (toplay) the piano only with the family to listen to him

What annoys me most of all is h is (to accept) their proposal quitereadily

He didn't know what to talk to him about It was lik e (to meet) anunknown brother

Her only fun w a s _ (to read) books

To love John was like _ (to burn) alive

Complete the following using gerunds as subjects or predicatives according to the model.

Model: (He likes to read books.)

was his favourite pastime -> Reading books was his favourite pastime OR

His favourite pastime w a s -> His favourite pastime was reading books.

(Why go into every detail?)

I think it's no use

(You must keep strict hours of meals.)

must do you a lot of good

(The children watched the monkeys go through different tricks.)

It was such fun

(We could not get in that night.)

All tickets were sold out, there was no

(I see you are going to assemble your bicycle.)

Is it worth while so long before the beginning of the season?

(It was so very pleasant to be free and alone.)

What I enjoyed most in that quiet corner after the noise of the city and strain of the last two months was

Gerunds in Predicates 27

Ex 28

7 (The boy cried over the broken toy.)

"is it any good ?" the mother said to the child "Tears are no help in sorrow."

8 (I did not expect to find you there.)

It was quite unexpected

9 (You distort facts and turn things upside down.)

What you do is and

10 (He liked to collect postage stamps.)

a ) was a hobby with him

b) His hobby was

11 (When one reads without paying attention to the language, one robs oneself of great

intellectual pleasure.)

is

12 (Did he realize what risk he was running when he tried to land the plane on such a small

clearing in the wood?)

He knew only too well th a t was ., but there was no alternative

Ц Answer the questions using the gerund as a predicative Develop the situation.

Model: What is the best way of travelling? (to travel by air) ->

In my opinion, the best way o f travelling is travelling by air It is more comfortable, more convenient and of course fa r quicker than any other method.

1 What is the cheapest method of travelling? (to walk)

What troubles people most of all when they are travelling? (to change from train to steamer, then to another train)

What is the means of travelling which combines speed, comfort and pleasure? (to go by train)

What is the best way to see the country at leisure? (to walk, to hike, to hitch-hike)What is the best change from the dust, smells and hustle and bustle of the city? (to go

to a quiet country place)

What is the best way to get to know and understand other people? (to meet them in their own homes)

What is the best way of making fair judgements about nationalities? (to travel, to learn foreign languages)

Complete the following using gerunds as predicatives.

1 What I like is 5 My only hope is

2 Her hobby has always been 6 The most difficult thing in life is

3 His favourite pastime w as 7 The secret of happiness is

4 What worries me most is 8 Man's highest aim should be

Some of these sentences contain errors Find and correct them.

1 My first job was having delivered flowers to people You've never seen so many smiles

on so many faces

2 The secret to a good life is being happy with what you have

3 What he loves best in the world is going to the theatre

4 My only hope is having won the lottery

5 Part of being a Master is being learned how to sing in nobody else’s voice but your own

Translate the sentences into English.

1 Моим делом было обучать их грамматике английского языка

2 Её любимое времяпрепровождение — это чтение комиксов

3 Его обычные занятия — это написание писем и игра в шахматы с друзьями

4 Единственной проблемой было то, что надо было убедить родителей дать свое согласие

Gerunds in Compound Verbal Predicates 29

GERUNDS IN COMPOUND VERBAL PREDICATES THE GERUND AS PART OF A COMPOUND VERBAL MODAL PREDICATE

If you can't help being selfish all the time, try going to bed earlier.

My best friend

Non-perfect gerunds, active and passive, form compound verbal modal predicates with the modal

expression can not help Gerunds in such predicates can be used alone or within phrases Predicative

constructions are not used in this function.

The audience could not help laughing.

= Публика не могла удержаться от смеха.

I can not help being excited about the news.

= Я не могу не быть взволнованной новостями.

THE GERUND AS PART OF A COMPOUND VERBAL ASPECT PREDICATE

Don't give up trying to find someone who will love you - they are

looking for you.

Somebody wise

f f l Non-perfect gerunds form compound verbal aspect (phasal) predicates with verbs denoting

various stages of a process, action or state:

• its beginning - begin, burst out, commence, start,

• its continuation - carry on, continue, keep (on), go on (with) [= continue], etc.,

• its ending - cease, give up, finish, leave off, quit, stop, discontinue, etc.

Gerunds in compound verbal aspect predicates can be used alone or within phrases

Predicative constructions are not used in this function.

Karen burst out laughing.

f f l There are stylistic and lexical restrictions on the use of gerunds in compound verbal aspect

predicates We use infinitives rather than gerunds when

1 the subject denotes a lifeless thing

The soup began to boil.

2 the notional part of a compound verbal aspect predicate is expressed by an infinitive of a

stative verb: feel, know, understand, see [= understand], etc.

He began to understand what was going on.

3 the structural part of a compound verbal aspect predicate is used in the continuous form

We are beginning to read a new article.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Translate into Russian and comment on the use of the gerunds

A.

1 The audience burst out applauding

2 The buses usually stop running before midnight

3 John says he's given up trying to do the crossword

4 Just keep stirring the mixture until it boils

5 Have you finished typing that letter?

6 Her favourite pastime is daydreaming

7 People began leaving the theatre before the end of the play

8 Being polite to other people is very important

9 Matilda said she was OK, but I couldn't help noticing how upset she looked

10 Carry on trying You'll succeed sooner than you think

B.

1 I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places He told me to quit going to those places

2 Historians are like deaf people who go on answering questions that no one has asked them

3 Happy is the man who has given up worrying once and for all

4 The secret of greatness is simple: do better work than any other man in your field — andkeep on doing it

5 You don’t stop laughing because you grow old You grow old because you stop laughing

6 It's no use carrying an umbrella if your shoes are leaking

7 You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old

8 Knowing is half the battle

9 Make sure you have finished speaking before your audience has finished listening

10 I cross the Rubicon I know there's no turning back

11 Everyone who has achieved success kept going regardless of the obstacles they met

12 My personal hobbies are reading, listening to music, and silence

13 Politeness and consideration for others is like investing pennies and getting dollarsback

14 Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results

Ex 32

Gerunds in Compound Verbal Predicates 31

Complete the sentences using gerunds from the right column.

5 Sandy kept ahead, Mary tried to keep up with her e eating

6 Two weeks old, this child was, and the lady had just finished f chatting

her pram-cover in stripes of white and blue g- knitting

7 The twins started about their school life

Open the brackets using gerunds Note the verbs and expressions the gerunds follow.

1 His friends suddenly burst out (to laugh)

2 I've iust started (to learn) German

3 Mv sister kept on (to ask) me question after question

4 Thev encourage younger people to auit (to smoke)

5 He continued (to type) while he spoke

6 You may com m ence _ (to read), Jeremy

8 You'd better stop (to talk) on the phone for hours

9 1 left school in 1990 and began (to work) in mv present job

10 She had just finished (to dress) the children when the phone rang

11 We all carried on (to sing) as if nothing odd was happening

12 Leave off (to shout)! 1 can't hear myself think in here

13 She can't go on (to pretend) that everything is fine when it clearly isn't

14 I've given up _(to expect) him to change

15 1 keep (to forget) to put the answering machine on

16 The company ceased (to trade) at 6 pm today

Complete the following sentences using gerunds as parts of compound verbal predicates.

3 He has given up 10 Before the band started

5 The boy kept on 12 Tell him to q u it

6 Has it stopped .? 13 The audience burst o u t

Some of these sentences contain errors Find and correct them.

1 In spite of the noise she carried writing

2 The leaves have started fallen off the trees

3 Keep taking the vitamins

4 His wife finally persuaded him to give out smoking

5 Last year he ceased in being a player and moved into management

6 They continued being talking after the meal

7 I wish he'd leave of moaning about everything

8 I couldn't help but laughing

Translate into English.

The Gerund as an Object 33

THE GERUND AS AN OBJECT

Mistakes, obviously, show us what needs improving.

4 j was conscious of being watched.

Q Any form of the gerund can be used in this function.

She enjoyed olavina the guitar a lot.

f f l Non-perfect gerunds can express actions that precede the actions of the finite verb after

• verbs of recollection; recall, recollect, remember, etc

and their opposites; forget, overlook, disregard, etc.

• verbs/ predicative word groups of gratitude; appreciate, be glad about, be grateful for, be thankful

for, express gratitude for, show gratitude for, thank for, etc.

• verbs / predicative word groups of blame and reproach; accuse; blame; be hold responsible for,

hold responsible for, be accountable for, be guilty about / of, be sorry about / for; charge with,

criticize for; regret, scold for; etc and their opposites; excuse for, forgive for, pardon for, etc.

Mason could not remember going to school fo r the first time

• verbs of punishment; discipline for, fine for, penalize for, punish for, rebuke for, reprimand for, etc.

He was fined fo r parking on the pavement.

= Его оштрафовали за парковку на тротуаре.

• verbs of reward; admire, approve of, commend fo r / on, praise for; etc.

I cannot approve of his leaving school when sixteen.

= Я не могу одобрить то, что он бросил школу в шестнадцать лет.

Perfect gerunds in these cases emphasise the gap of time between the actions of the finite verb and

the gerund Compare:

I regret saving that.

- Я сожалею, что сказала это.

Не bitterly regretted ever having mentioned it.

= Он горько сожалел, что когда-то упомянул это.

Щ Structurally, gerund objects can be

• simple — expressed by single gerunds.

Did you talk about painting?

• phrasal — expressed by gerunds in phrases.

Did you talk about painting a picture of mv cousin?

• complex — expressed by predicative constructions with gerunds.

Did you talk about his painting a picture o f mv cousin?

GERUNDS AS DIRECT OBJECTS

f f l Direct objects expressed by gerunds follow

• monotransitive verbs

I don't mind vour coming late.

= He возражаю против того, чтобы ты поздно пришел.

• the predicative word group be worth Compare:

The film is worth seeing, [object]

= Фильм стоит посмотреть.

It is worth (while) seeing the film, [subject]

= Посмотреть этот фильм - стоит.

• expressions can (not) bear, can (not) stand.

Who could stand being laughed at?

= Кто может терпеть, когда над ним смеются?

The Gerund as an Object 35

f f l After be worth, deserve, need, require and want [= need] gerunds are active in form, but passive

Ш Gerund objects can be introduced by IT + adjective They are found after the verbs: believe,

consider, find, hold, judge, presume, reckon, think, etc.

They thought it natural helping each other.

= Они считали естественным помогать друг другу.

I fin d it strange his coming home on time.

= Я нахожу его возвращение домой в назначенное время странным.

GERUNDS AS PREPOSITIONAL OBJECTS

Gerunds used as prepositional objects follow

• monotransitive verbs and phrasal verbs.

insist on learn of look forward to think about / o f object to

persist in put off rely on speak about / of

succeed in, etc.

We are looking forward to going on this exciting trio.

= Мы предвкушаем то, как мы отправимся в эту увлекательную поездку

ditransitive verbs.

accuse o f blame fo r prevent from stop from

congratulate on praise fo r sentence fo r thank for, etc You can not accuse him o f beina lazy - he is just relaxing.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Translate into Russian and comment on the use of the gerunds Point out syntactic complexes with gerunds.

A.

1 We'll have to practise throwing the ball into the basket

2 When I find something new on the menu, I just can't resist trying it

3 I don't like being asked about my private life

4 Many visitors to Britain aren't used to driving on the left

5 She insisted on Tom's telling us all about United's win

6 Do you fancy going out for a meal?

7 I can't face getting up at five tomorrow

8 I've succeeded in getting hold of the CD I wanted

9 I couldn't deny both of them having made a reasonable excuse

10 The most difficult thing in life is choosing

11 There's no improving on nature

12 The runners didn't mind the rain They just kept on running

13 He was aware of Jack's watching him attentively

14 The carrying out of these plans depends on the documents being signed in time

15 I couldn't help staying in a hotel when on a business trip

16 I was irritated with him having been put in an awkward position

17 I think they've promoted Tom, but he didn't mention having been promoted when we talked

B.

1 The only person worth envying is the person who doesn't envy

2 Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction

3 Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself

4 It is impossible to imagine Goethe or Beethoven being good at billiards or golf

5 Don't put off being happy until some future date

6 Good manners sometimes means simply putting up with other people's bad manners

7 Stupidity is not a sin, the victim can't help being stupid

8 How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, and tolerant of the weak and the strong — because someday you will have been all of these

9 If you succeed in judging yourself, you're truly a wise man

10 Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes Art is knowing which ones to keep

11 A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking

12 Living in California adds ten years to a man's life And those extra ten years I'd like to spend in New York

13 Nobody objects to a woman being a good writer or sculptor or scientist if at the same time she manages to be a good wife, a good mother, good-looking, good-tempered and well-dressed

14 Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering

The Gerund as an Object 37

Complete the sentences using the gerunds given as direct and prepositional objects.

5 Now 1 had resolved, if possible, to avoid alone with any of these e) doing

7 He was fond of : "The superstition of todav is the science of yesterday." h) missing

9 1 assure you 1 am quite capable of with the matter i) saying

10 1 am sick and tired of , tea without milk

11 Surely that prevents the dav from ordinary

_ J Open the brackets using gerunds as objects.

1 1 enjoy (go) to her parties But 1 dislike (take) there by my boyfriend

2 1 haven't finished correcting my composition It still needs (brush up)

3 Sue admitted to (tell) a lie And she didn't mind (reprimand) for it

4 We insist on (do) the work right now

5 The customers insist on the work (do) at once

6 The incident isn't worth (mention)

7 1 am used to (remind) by my mother that life is great and 1 should keep smiling

8 They accused me of (mislead) them

9 He confessed to (forget) that he was to come on Friday

10 Ted couldn't imagine (abuse) anyone, or (abuse) by anyone

11 He wasn't used to (ignore)

12 They suspected the inspector of (get) some more evidence

13 He considers (buy) a used car

14 1 remember (punish) once by my elder brother for cheating

15 He is very secretive He avoids (ask) any personal questions or (ask) any even by hisclosest friends

16 My boss hates (push) into doing things

17 1 must congratulate you on (pass) your exam

Use the appropriate form of the gerund Insert prepositions where necessary

A.

1 You can't blame m e _-(try)

2 I'm so rry (complain)

3 He's fo n d (sail)

I've been thinking for a new job (look)

I wonder what prevented him _

I'm getting hungry I'm looking forward

I've always dreamed _

(come) to the party

(have) dinner.

(live) on a small island in the Pacific

(have) a swim.

(commit) a crime?

The cold water didn't stop her _

Have you ever been accused _

She's tired (work) for the company.

I hate _ (be) iii and _ (stay) in bed.

(buy) a new саг (2)

I'm not used

I rem em ber

I'm looking fo rw a rd

Jane, your nose wants _

We all suspected him

conceal it from us.

They were all b u sy _

them on the shelves,

Now I can boast

_ (blow).

(unpack) the books and

(try) tc

_ (put)

(see) Rome and London, Paris and Athens.

difficult problems.

(work out)

'm not interested

She's very good

She fives on her own but she relies

I expect he's very disappointed _

I think you should apologize

I warned th em _

(lose) his job.

(rent) that apartment.

"That child needs

(travel) by air.

(take) care of," said Eliza.

The Gerund as an Object 39

10 I was aw are _(plunge) into a network of fresh difficulties

11 I had not asked for advice, I was quite capable _ (advise) myself

12 He felt that his life was w orth _(take) care of

13 Ann was such a friendly, pretty child, few people could resist _ (talk) to her

14 The newborn baby had dark curly hair "Fa n cy _ (she, have) hair Ithought they were born bald," I said

15 I don't lik e _ (wear) a black tie to movies I e n jo y (see) my movies when I eat popcorn

16 He was proud of her and her fame and proud (see) with her

17 He never spoke (reprimand) for it

Paraphrase the following sentences using gerunds as objects according to the model Insert prepositions where necessary.

Model: Do you have to travel in your job? — Does your job involve ? ->

Does your job involve travelling?

1 He can swim very well — He is good

2 Tom said 'Let's have fish for dinner' — Tom suggested

3 I don't want to go out this evening — I don't fancy

4 Are you sorry you didn't take the job? — Do you regret ?

5 It's not a good idea to travel during the rush-hour — It's better to avoid

6 Could you turn the radio down please? — Would you mind ?

7 The driver of the car said it was true that he didn't have a license — The driver of the car admitted

8 The teacher said to the boy 'You didn't pay attention to what I said.' — The teacher accused the boy

9 Margaret said to you 'I'm sorry I didn't phone you earlier.' — Margaret apologized

10 I'd visit the museum if I were you The museum is worth

11 I said to Jack 'Don't stay at the hotel near the airport.' — I warned Jack

12 Tom said to Ann 'I'll drive you to the station I insist.' — Tom insisted

13 George said to you "It was nice of you to help me Thanks very much." — George thanked

m e

14 The writer said that he had never dreamed his book would be so successful — The writer confessed

Supply any suitable gerund in a suitable form.

1 Our neighbours are very considerate They avoid _ a lot of noise

2 Just im agine in a country where it is always warm and sunny!

3 Our front gate is falling to pieces It really w ants

4 The police questioned me at some length and I didn't enjoy

5 What does the job involve? — It involves _the engine apart