Revision (the gerund)

Exercise 1.

State the form of the gerund.

1. I was bewildered, but I knew that it was no good asking him to explain. (A. Chr.)

2. In a low voice, in answer to Mr. Philips’ questions, he denied having ordered anything from Parkson’s in June. (A. Chr.)

3. After being invalided out of the Army I had been given a recruiting job … (Ar. Chr.)

4. Poirot was busy mopping a grey suit with a minute sponge. (A. Chr.)

5. Her remarks at being dragged out of bed at that hour of a Sunday morning were expressed frankly and unprofessionally … (Cus.)

6. It was useless arguing with Jan when she looked like that. (Cus.)

7. He is matron’s dog but he insists on being introduced to all the new patients. (Cus.)

8. The old man did not remember him, but he asked the doctor a number of questions without paying attention to the replies. (S.M.)

9. If the Captain comes off the bridge I want you to thank him for having looked after your wife so beautifully. (K. Man)

10. At first, as I told you, I was inclined to suspect her of being concerned in the crime. (A. Chr.)

11. A dish of coffee and milk was respectfully submitted to the cat, who drank it contemptuously and then retired to her box of shavings with an air of having sustained an insult. (Banks.)

12. His voice gave the effect, somehow, of being forced through a narrow tube. (Bates)

Exercise 2.

Define the function of the gerund.

1. Reginald took a deep breath of his cigarette “It’s ghastly, this idea of going back,” he said. (K. Man)

2. He is said to pride himself on keeping his word. (S.M.)

3. At last he finished writing and put the cap on his pen. (Bates)

4. After pausing a few minutes respectfully, so as not to spoil his effect, I gave him Lawrence’s message. (A. Chr.)

5. I remembered coming home in the train and listening to the wheels saying ‘I can do anything — I can do anything —’ (Banks)

6. Toby started off by holding me in the conventional way, with only one arm round me … (Banks)

7. Moira was asleep. Sleeping was her latest discovery. (K. Man)

8. Madame Daubreuil was in the habit of visiting him here in the evenings. (A. Chr.)

9. That evening I went to a film and got to bed early and read for a while before going to sleep. (Banks)

10. She couldn’t go out of the room without saying something to him. (K. Man.)

11. Mildly I said, “I’m sorry you object to my bringing in a few of my own things … ” (Banks)

12. Do you mind following me into the drawing-room, Constancia? I’ve something of great importance to discuss with you. (K. Man)

13. When she went on looking blank, I made my point a little clearer adding, “You won’t be able to cast it.” (Banks)

14. I’m getting on, you know, Dolly, it’s no good denying it. (S.M.)

15. All I’m interested in is getting you better, see? (Cus.)

16. It’s no good your flying in a temper. You’ve just got to listen. (S.M.)

Exercise 3.

Use the gerund or the infinitive of the verb in brackets. Insert prepositions where necessary.

1. He had begun (to retrace) his steps when he at last caught sight of Bosinney. (Galsw.)

2. Jan began (to walk) slowly down, her arm through Doreen’s (Cus.)

3. It began (to get) dark. (Un. Is.)

4. Then she began (to tremble), not that she was afraid, but at the thought of the people she would meet. (White)

5. He finally refused (to eat) anything but boiled eggs. (A. Chr.)

6. The sun had begun (to sink) towards the high rim of the hills. (Cron.)

7. They began (to drive) across the island. (White)

8. She began (to walk) up and down angrily. (A. Chr.)

9. The game begins (to be) dangerous. (Galsw.)

10. I really begin (to believe) she was Blenkisop. (A. Chr.)

11. Jane continued (to discuss) her problem with no appreciation of his presence. (A. Chr.)

12. He stopped (to chat) with Joe from the scenario department. (F.F.)

13. Please, tell her it is necessary (to keep) the patient under morphia. (A. Chr.)

14. Tired? Do you want (to stop)? (A. Chr.)

15. Then, he went on (to give) me details. (A. Chr.)

16. Mr. Tower paused (to take) breath. (S.M.)

Exercise 4.

Recast the following sentences so as to use predicative constructions with the gerund instead of subordinate clauses.

1. Do you mind if I take your dictionary?

2. Do you think father would mind if we go to the park now?

3. She insisted we should put off our conference.

4. Linda was surprised. She had no idea that he was good at mathematics.

5. I was annoyed because they shouted so loud.

6. “He’s a dear little man,” said she. “I’d no idea you knew him.”

7. As we drove away he suggested that we should return by train.

8. Laura remembered she had left that umbrella standing in the corner.

9. She suggested that Philip should pass himself off as her brother.

10. A miner insisted that I should stay at his home.

11. Michael suggested that she should go to the Crimea to be near her mother.

12. Harold insisted that we wait for you.

13. He suggested that she should sit down.

14. She remembered that Charles had once said to her that the origin of poetry was emotion.

15. Julia suggested that they should go down.

Exercise 5.

Translate into English using the gerund or predicative constructions with the gerund.

1. Я не настаиваю на том, чтобы заняться этим вопросом немедленно.

2. Нельзя было не заметить ее радости.

3. Друзья начали расхваливать голос Хэриса, и в конце концов, он согласился спеть.

4. Все зависит от того, примете ли вы необходимые меры.

5. Он не мог уйти, не спросив разрешения.

6. Это очень разумный совет, им стоит воспользоваться.

7. Вместо того, чтобы посылать ему телеграмму, я свяжусь с ним по телефону.

8. Никто не возражал против того, чтобы Франк представлял фирму на выставке.

9. Это выражение часто встречается , его стоит выучить.

Exercise 6.

Read the following dialogue. Make up your own dialogues using the gerund.