Grammar section герундий (the gerund)

Герундий – это неличная форма глагола, соединяющая в себе свойства существительного и глагола. В этом отношении герундий сходен с инфинитивом, но отличается от него тем, что передает оттенок процесса действия. В русском языке нет формы глагола, соответствующей английскому герундию.

	Active	Passive
Simple	asking	being asked
Perfect	having asked	having been asked

Функции герундия в предложении и способы его перевода на русский язык

Функции	Употребление	Примеры	Перевод
Подлежащее		Swimming is my favourite sport.	Плавание – мой любимый вид спорта.
Часть составного сказуемого	После глаголов to stop (прекращать), to finish (кончать), to continue, to go on, to keep on (продол-жать), to begin, to start (начинать)	Stop talking. He kept on asking her about the details.	Прекратите разговаривать. Он продолжал спрашивать ее о подробностях.
Дополнение а) прямое дополнение b) предложное дополнение	После глаголов to like (нравиться), to need (нуждаться), to prefer (предпочитать), to remember (помнить), to enjoy (получать удовольствие), to mind (возражать), to excuse (извинять) to be busy (быть занятым), to be worth (стоить) После глаголов с предлогами to depend on (зависеть от), to rely on (полагаться на), to object to (возражать против), to blame …for (винить за), to thank for (благодарить за), to be responsible for (отвечать за), to be fond of (любить), to be tired of (устать от), to be afraid of (бояться), to look forward to (ожидать с нетерпением), to feel like (быть склонным)	Your suggestion needs discussing. I prefer reading classical novels. She is busy preparing for the exam. I don’t mind going there. He is fond of collecting stamps. I’m afraid of making a mistake. I’m tired of arguing with you.	Ваше предложение нужно обсудить. Я предпочитаю читать классические романы. Она занята: она готовится к экзамену. Я не против (не возражаю) пойти туда. Он любит собирать марки. Я боюсь, как бы не сделать ошибки. Я устал спорить с Вами.
Определение	После абстрактных существительных с предлогами: way (of) способ, opportunity (of) возможность, hope of надежда на, experience in опыт в, reason for причина, основание, interest in интерес, importance of значение и т.д.	You have no reason for saying that. I understand the importance of learning English.	У Вас нет оснований говорить это. Я понимаю важность изучения английского языка.
Обстоятельство а) обстоятельство времени b) обстоятельство образа действия	Употребляется всегда с предлогами: after, before, on с предлогами: by, without, instead of, besides	After returning home he resumed his work. She left the room without looking at me.	После того как он вернулся домой (после возвращения), он возобновил работу. Она ушла из комнаты, не взглянув на меня.

Как видно из таблицы, герундий может переводиться на русский язык существительным, глаголом в личной форме или неопределенной формой глагола, деепричастием.

У герундия, как у и инфинитива и причастия, существуют сложные конструкции.

Сложный герундий состоит из существительного (в общем или притяжательном падеже) или местоимения (личного или притяжательного) + герундий.

Computers being widely used is a fact. – To, что компьютеры широко используются, просто факт.

We heard about your having improved that model. – Мы слышали о том, что вы усовершенствовали эту модель.

Существительное или местоимение обозначает предмет или лицо, к которому относится действие герундия.

Переводится сложный герундий придаточным предложением, в котором существительное или местоимение становится подлежащим, а герундий – сказуемым.

Cледует отметить, что сложные формы герундия употребляются не часто, особенно в технической литературе. Для чтения достаточно понять явление герундия, иметь навык его перевода и знать модели, в которых он употребляется.

Exercise 1. Translate paying attention to action of the Gerund:

1. I like his method of teaching.

2. It’s no use talking to him.

3. He left without saying a word.

4. He was suspected of keeping something from us.

5. I hate being reminded of things.

6. I don’t remember having seen her there.

7. We insist on John's making a report.

8. Do you mind our being present?

9. I’ve never heard of his behaving like that.

10) Do you mind my cousin joining us?

11. I remember leaving a message for him. I remember his leaving a message for me.

12. Mr. Blank apologized for having caused a trouble. Mr. Blank apologized for his children having caused a trouble.

13) We don’t mind cooperating with you. We don't mind you cooperating with us.

Exercise 2. Write sentences according to the model:

Model: I advise you to read the book. The book is worth reading.

1. Go and see the film. The film…

2. That’s a good song. The song…

3) Don't quote this man. He is not worth…

4) Remember his words. What he says is worth…

Exercise 3. Translate into English.

1. Эту пьесу стоит посмотреть.

2. Об этих фактах стоит упомянуть.

3. Об этом не стоит спорить.

4. Какой толк от того, что я лежу в постели?

5. Какой смысл спорить?

6. Какой смысл рисковать?

Exercise 4. Write questions according to the model:

Model: It’s useless to argue with him. What's the use of arguing with him?

1. It’s no use accusing him.

2. It’s useless to object to it.

3. It’s no use talking, let's get down to work. ___________

Exercise 5. Say as many sentences as you can using the model:

Model: We’ ll solve the problem by using this algorithm.

We learn to speak English	by	speaking
We can't learn a foreign language only		arguing
One learns to swim		reading books
You won't change anything		swimming
You won't achieve anything		shouting

Exercise 6. Finish the sentences according to the model:

Model: How did you like his singing? – I enjoyed his singing.

1. Would you like to walk a bit? – Not in this rain. I hate… .

2. Do you often talk with young Howard? – He avoids… .

3. The dinner is very good. – Yes. Jane is very good at… .

Exercise 7. Translate:

1. Он против того, чтобы приглашать менеджера. Он против того, чтобы вы приглашали менеджера. Он против того, чтобы был приглашен менеджер.

2. Избегайте говорить с такими людьми.

3) Она не переставала брать уроки английского языка.

4. Они мечтают посетить нашу фирму.

5. Эту книгу стоит прочесть.

6. Этот сайт не стоит смотреть.

Exercise 8. Complete the sentences with the Gerund or Infinitive.

1. I couldn’t help... . 2. I am tired of... . 3. He left the room without... . 4. At last we succeeded in... . 5. She was prevented from... . 6. I gave up… . 7. He went to the club instead of... . 8. You should avoid... . 9. He read the newspaper before... . 10. He has no intention of... . 11. She is very fond of... . 12. He likes... . 13. He started... . 14. She enjoys... . 15. Have you finished... ? 16. I could not prevent him from... . 17. I am proud of... . 18. He went to bed after... . 19. They are engaged in... . 20. When I entered the room, the children stopped ... . 21. I ought to apologize for... . 22. There is no probability of... . 23. He looked at me without... . 24. I had my breakfast before... . 25. He has improved his pronunciation by... . 26. As the children were listening attentively, I continued... . 27. He objects to... . 28. Last year he spent much time in... . 29. He has begun... . 30. He raised his hat on... . 31. He was accused of… . 32. Thank you for... . 33. I can’t afford... . 34. They have no intention of... .

Exercise 9. Put the verbs in brackets into appropriate form of the Gerund. Insert the preposition where necessary.

1. I have no intention ... (to stay) here any longer. 2. She insisted ... (to help) me. 3. Are you fond ... (to play) chess? 4. He has had very much experience ... (to teach). 5. There is no possibility ... (to find) his address. 6. There is little chance ... (to see) her to-day. 7. We have the pleasure ... (to send) you our catalogues. 8. I think ... (to go) to the south in summer. 9. He is afraid ... (to catch) cold. 10. I am proud ... (to have) such a son. 11. The rain prevented me ... (to come). 12. He is engaged ... (to write) a book. 13. They had much difficulty ... (to find) the house.

Exercise 10. Translate the following sentences with Gerund. What are the functions of the Gerund in the sentences?

1. Without knowing these facts it is impossible to build up a true picture of the world.

2. She answered without hesitating.

3. Without his participating in the concert the programme will be dull, I'm afraid.

4. He couldn't leave without receiving necessary information.

5. Without practicing English every day it is impossible to have a good knowledge of the language.

6. They couldn’t come to an agreement without hearing his opinion.

7. Don’t go away without letting us know.

8. Without doubting he took a decision.

9. She had to leave for home immediately without visiting her friend.

10. Without consulting her parents she refused from his proposal.

11. They parted forever without telling each other warm words.

12. Without thinking he accepted their offer.

13. He decided to leave without paying his monthly rent.

14. Without investigating this case it was difficult to find the guilty.

15. Without solving this problem he couldn't leave the laboratory.

16. They found out the reason rather easily without making any efforts.

Exercise 11. Translate the sentences with Gerund:

1. I can’t help sympathizing him, he lost his father.

2. She can't help admiring his starring career.

3. They couldn't help hurrying with this project.

4. He can’t help thinking of their nearest meeting.

5. We can’t help advising him to take part in the conference.

6. I can’t help expressing my regret on your leaving so soon.

7. They couldn’t help inviting us to their evening party.

8. She couldn’t help promising to write letters regularly.

9. He couldn't help telling her all the truth.

10. They can’t help punishing their children for such behaviour.

11. He couldn’t help criticizing her for such strange ideas.

12. I can’t help understanding their act of charity.

13. She couldn’t help assisting them in moving to a new flat.

14. I couldn’t help praising her for assistance in this affair.

15. She can’t help bringing me up all the time. It's so boring.

16. He couldn’t help boasting of his new car of a foreign mark.

17. They can’t help using this favourable situation.

18. I can’t help discussing the terms of the agreement with them.

Exercise 12. Read, analyze and translate into Russian.

1. Children typically are very angry with their parents for having divorced and can’t work it out emotionally. 2. A stepparent is often at a disadvantage in disciplining a child. He may have grown tired of being the enforcer. 3. Keeping silence has its own price: frustration, anger, even madness. 4. Some taboos cannot be transgressed without paying an awful price. 5. Their having violated this taboo may lead to tense relationships. 6. His having misinterpreted their nonverbal behaviour led to complete misunderstanding and to a quarrel. 7. He heard of her having been given a theme of freedom for writing an essay. 8. The subjects will be tested individually by being given simple problems to solve. 9. Knowing and understanding may play an important role in survival. 10. Without trying to determine the direction of the discussion we shall mention the problems touched upon in the papers presented. 11. He did not approve of their having been involved in business. 12. His having been invited to participate in the international conference on the problems of violating human rights is an evident fact. 13. It’s no use talking with him about it after his having been dismissed from his office. 14. Do you mind my having taken a decision of organizing new firm? 15. She couldn't help discussing with him the terms of agreement. 16. I don't remember having met him anywhere before. 17. They are surprised at their having obtained such unexpected results after having tried a great number of different methods. 18. There is no special need in using a trial-and-error method. 19. They succeeded in having achieved the desired conclusions. 20. His being an expert in this particular field of science is known to everybody. 21. She insisted on his having been included into the working group. 22. He is not a person who can be relied upon in holding such meetings. 23. I dislike being spoken with in such a manner. 24. He is looking forward to being introduced to her as soon as possible. 25. She is sure in his having been involved in drug business. 26. They would like being told about all the details of his having received these data. 27. She suspected him of having stolen the documents. 28. I dislike being asked the questions of this or that type. 29. By making experiments in compliance with new demands you will obtain what you wish. 30. Their having been awarded a special prize for the research has quickly become known to everybody.

Exercise 13. Read, analyze and translate in writing the following sentences:

1. Investigating the given problem he came to rather interesting conclusions. 2. He is informed of their having taken the first prize. 3. The weather being fine, they decided to go into the country. 4. Having discussed the matter the sociologists took a definite decision. 5. He couldn't help talking about the experiment at the symposium. 6. Without contemplating he agreed with the offer. 7. His having come back from the expedition is already known to everybody. 8. He is greatly interested in collecting and analyzing the data. 9. It was a great forum, scientists of many countries participating in its work. 10. They would like being warned in time. 11. This achievement based on empirical principles was the elaboration of a new kind. 12. Having established interaction between these phenomena they started to describe it. 13. He received interesting results, his speculation being based on logical analysis. 14. They knew of his having received a good knowledge of social sciences. 15. They couldn't help verifying his theory of theoretical paradigms. 16. Understanding his starting point is quite necessary. 17. Religion based on ignorance is an unscientific world outlook. 18. Recognizing his position true he used his method of analysis in his work. 19. His representation was true, the main idea being connected with consciousness. 20. He having referred this event to the law of cause, the method seemed to be true. 21. Having received the necessary data he published the results of his work.

Exercise 14. Complete with the Gerund or Infinitive:

Model: Smoking is banned in all public places. (smoke)

1. It’s very expensive … a flat in the centre. (rent)

2. Are you afraid of… ? (fly)

3. I called the restaurant … a table for tonight. (book)

4. Be careful … the noise when you come home tonight. (not make)

5. She’s worried about … the exam. (fail)

6. Everybody went on … until after midnight. (dance)

7. …an only child is a bit boring. (be)

8. It’s easy … the way if you look at the map. (find)

9. He’s terrible at ... languages. (learn)

10. A. Why are you learning Spanish?

B. …talk to my in-laws. They’re Argentinian, and they don’t speak English. (be able to)

Exercise 15. Complete the sentences with work, to work, or working.

Model: I regret not working harder when I was at school.

1. I spent all weekend … on the computer.

2. I’ve decided … abroad next year.

3. You must … harder if you want to get promoted.

4. My boss often makes me … late.

5. He isn’t very good at … in a team.

6. I don’t mind … on Saturdays if I can have a day off during the week.

7. He’s gone to the UK … in his uncle’s shop.

8. …with members of your family can be quite difficult.

9. My husband promised not … on my birthday.

10. I used … in a restaurant when I was a student.