Dialogue

Nora: Robert, I’d like you to do something for me.

Robert: (Irritably) Oh, what is it, Mum?

Nora: I want you to make up the stove for my bath.

Robert: But I’m busy. I’m doing my homework.

Nora: Do you think I haven’t got any work to do? Look at all these clothes I’ve got to iron.

Robert: Yes, but do you expect me to stop in the middle of what I’m writing?

Nora: I can’t make you help me if you don’t want to; but I’ve seldom known you take so much interest in your homework. I only asked you to help me for a minute. I don’t like my boys to be disagreeable.

Harry: Robert, do I understand you to say you refuse to help your mother? You oughtn’t even to wait for her to ask you. I’ve been watching you “do your work,” as you call it. Looking out of the window half the time! Let me tell you, young man, you need some real work to do. Never mind, Nora, let me help you.

Nora: Thank you, Harry, I’d just like the stove to be made up for me to have a bath. I haven’t got used to this kind of stove yet — you understand it better.

Harry: Oh yes. I’ll soon get the water to boil. Where’s the coal? (He shovels some coal into the stove) …There, my boy, that didn’t take me long to do, did it?

Robert: No, Dad, but I advise you to have another look inside the stove before you sit down again, I think the fire was out.

Harry: (Opening front of stove) Good heavens, so it was. Well, you’re jolly well going to relight it, Robert. I refuse to.

Dual-Channel Exercises to Meet the Parkers, Tartu, 1965

General revision

Exercise 1.

Define the non-finite form of the verb and its function.

1. Liza set about getting her tea. She thought it would be rather lonely eating it alone, so pouring out a cup of tea and putting a little condensed milk into it, she cut a huge piece of bread-and-butter, and sat herself down outside on the doorstep. Another woman came downstairs, and, seeing Liza, sat down beside her and began to talk. (S.M.)

2. He had to contend with the work of his practice, he had only the long nights in which to study. Sustained by black coffee and a wet towel round his head he battled on, sitting into the early hours of the morning. When he fell into bed, exhausted, often he could not sleep and sometimes when he slept he would awake, sweating from a nightmare. (Cron.)

3. There were little knots of women talking at their open doorways, and as he passed they stopped talking to smile and give him a friendly “Good morning”. Approaching Number 12 he fancied he saw a face at the window. And it was so. They had been waiting on him. The instant he placed his foot on the newly pipeclayed doorstep, the door was swung open and the old woman, beaming unbelievably all over her wrinkled face, made him welcome to the house. (Cron.)

4. Surrounded by difficulties and uncertainly, he longed for Christine. Letters were no use; he had no talent for expressing himself on paper … . Yet she was not returning to Blaenelly until the first week in September. He turned a fretful, hungry eye upon the calendar, counting the days that intervened. There were still twelve of them to run. He felt, with growing despondency, that they might as well be past, for all the prospect which they held for him. (Cron.)

Exercise 2.

State the form of the gerund, the participle or the infinitive.

1. Ashendon arrived in Naples and, having taken a room at the hotel, wrote its number on a sheet of paper in block letters and posted it to the Hairless Mexican. (S.M.)

2. Without speaking they went along, and there was no one to be seen either in front or behind them. (S.M.)

3. It was on her tongue to tell him that she was not used to being spoken to like that. (Cron.)

4. Sally refused to allow the conversation to be diverted. (P.W.)

5. Miss Waterford was giving a tea party, and her small room was more than usually full. Everyone seemed to be talking, and I, sitting in silence, felt awkward; but I was too shy to break into any of the groups that seemed absorbed in their own affairs. Miss Waterford was a good hostess, and seeing my embarrassment came up to me. “I want you to talk to Mrs. Strickland,” she said. (S.M.)

6. Though it was nearly midnight when Andrew reached Bryngower, he found Joe Morgan waiting on him, walking up and down with short steps between the closed surgery and the entrance to his house. (Cron.)

7. I remember being taken for a drive in a foreign country by a kind lady who wanted to show me round. (S.M.)

Exercise 3.

State whether the -ing-form is the participle, the gerund or the verbal noun. Give your reasons.

1. Here I am, trying to pour out my soul to you, and you keep interrupting me with questions … . (P.W.)

2. “Are you making a good living?” I asked, smiling. (S.M.)

3. For a while the two women sat still, waiting for the doctor’s coming and Liza lay gazing vacantly at the wall … . (S.M.)

4. As he approached his house he was conscious of the rapid beating of his heart. (Cron.)

5. Anyhow he had enough to live in what he considered was the proper style for a gentleman without trying to earn money … . (S.M.)

6. “Oh,” cried Sally, seeing the advertisement of a play being acted at the neithbouring theatre. (S.M.)

7. At that moment … Freddie Hampton arrived, leaping from his taxi and entering the hotel with a page boy carrying his golf clubs behind him. (Cron.)

8. I say, I wonder if you mind coming to see me. (S.M.)

9. Martin Wyde came down from the hotel and stood watching and listening to the music — squeakly fiddles and deep trombones — young singing voices and clapping hands. (D. Rob.)

10. It appeared that the night-porter had been roused by the ringing of the telephone from Miss King’s room, but on listening could get no one to speak. (S.M.)

11. And she couldn’t help being sorry for Winifred. (Galsw.)

Exercise 4.

State whether the –ing-form is the gerund, the participle or the verbal noun. Give your reasons.

1. Now … you stop crying, like a good girl, and powder your nose and all that. (P.W.)

2. Strickland was indifferent to his surroundings, and he had lived in the other’s studio without thinking of altering a thing. (S.M.)

3. Because of the skating she began to be easier as she walked … . (Bates)

4. “Where is Ogilvy Street?” “Up the road, first turning to the left.” (P.W.)

5. The poor woman lay quite still, refusing to speak, with her eyes intent, as though she watched for the coming of death. (S.M.)

6. And so absorbed was she in this pursuit that a knocking on the outer door did not penetrate to her consciousness. (S.M.)

7. The longing in his voice was very sad. (Cron.)

8. There was a great deal of excited coming and going. (Cron.)

9. Then there was a rattling of plates and cups. (Cron.)

10. He was interrupted in this task by the opening of the door, and looking up, was surprised to see his niece. (P.W.)

11. I mustn’t keep you standing here for another instant. (P.W.)

12. Liza was able to make her own living by working at the factory. (S.M.)

13. Mr. Braddock greatly disliked being called brother, but he made no comment. (P.W.)

Exercise 5.

Use the infinitive or the gerund in the required form instead of the infinitive in brackets.

1. I don’t want (to seem) rude or small-minded. (D. Rob.)

2. But then I heard rain begin (to fall), at first in big, floppy, countable drops, and then in a sudden running hiss. (Bates)

3. How did he expect me (to work) for him if I had nowhere (to live)? (H.D.)

4. He sat (to smoke), (to talk) to her in a quiet (to sooth) voice. (D.Rob.)

5. I want her (to know) if the worst comes to the worst she can count on me. (S.M.)

6. That seemed (to break) the ice between us, and everything came easy afterwards. We sat and talked for over an hour. (D. Rob.)

7. She’s not allowed (to leave) the house. (A. Chr.)

8. She must be made (to understand). (A.H.)

9. While I was working, Jerry and Ray came down the street. They stopped (to watch). (S.M.)

Exercise 6.

Use the gerund or the participle in the required form instead of the infinitive in brackets.

1. She left the room (to murmur) something incoherent about (to bicycle) down to the village. (S.M.)

2. She seemed to be on the point of (to discuss) whether I was a satisfactory person. (Bates)

3. As I stood (to hesitate) in the hall with all this (to pass) through my mind, Caroline’s voice came again. (A. Chr.)

4. She and I were supposed (to work) together in the evening (to take) round suppers, (to tidy) the ward and (to clean) things. (M.D.)

5. “Well, dear,” said Miss Marple, “it is much easier for me (to sit) here quietly than it was for you.” (A. Chr.)

6. She rose and stood (to look) at him, her face quite expressionless. (F.F.)

7. (to recover) from her surprise, she soon came out again. (White)

8. She watched him through the window (to walk) alone. (White)

9. They had not very long to wait however before the door opened and Miss Packard came in (to apologise) as she did so. (A. Chr.)

10. (to talk) of Bill, is he expecting me? (P.W.)

11. While (to wait) for the door to open, he was conscious of extreme quietude, broken by a clock chiming four as if with the voice of Time itself. (Galsw.)

Exercise 7.

Define the type of predicative constructions in the following sentences.

1. Tommy heard the sound of the key being turned in the lock. (A. Chr.)

2. I felt they expected me to say clever things, and I never could think of any till after the party was over. I tried to conceal my embarrassment by handing round cups of tea and rather ill-cut bread-and-butter. I wanted no one to take notice of me, so that I could observe these famous creatures at my ease and listen to the clever things they said. (S.M.)

3. We stood under a street light, reading the paper, waiting for Tom to come down from the park after taking Lydia home. (Bates)

4. I want to be read and I think I am justified in doing what I can to make my book readable. (S.M.)

5. My uncle was sitting in a chair near the window. He seemed to be staring into space, his hands clenched nervously on the edge of the chair. (D. Rob.)

6. … and he despised himself again because his heart had given such a jolt of relief when he saw her come in.

7. He had left his wife sitting on the sofa in the drawing-room, her hands crossed in her lap, … waiting for him to go out. (Galsw.)

8. For Tansy it was a dance that she was not likely to forget. (D. Rob.)

9. We found M. Hautet awaiting us in the hall, and we all proceeded upstairs together, Françoise marching ahead to show us the way. (A. Chr.)

10. When it was time for me to go I asked if I could see the rooms. (S.M.)

11. “And now,” Mrs. Cary was saying, “I want you to go and see the lady who has the chrysanthemums.” (F.F.)

12. When she opened her eyes, it was with a shock that she saw Nigel standing beside her. (D. Rob.)

13. She dosed, and so did not hear a man walking on bare feet along the beach. (D. Rob.)

14. … Martin was supposed to be engaged to Christine Manners. (D. Rob.)

15. …She isn’t likely to be your secretary much longer. (D. Rob.)

Exercise 8.

Define the function of predicative constructions in the following sentences.

1. What a lot of people seem to have been at school with you! (P.W.)

2. My goodness, I’d give something to see that girl smile. (S.M.)

3. She felt her eyelids burning; she stamped her foot violently; her hands scurried nervously over the table as if searching for a weapon, and then she flung herself wildly at Gedney. (F.F.)

4. You don’t seem to understand how ... happy it makes me to see you sitting there… . (P.W.)

5. Irene turned to answer him, and Soames saw Bosinney watching her and smiling to himself. (Galsw.)

6. The sun’s beams seemed to hit the white road with a directed energy. (S.M.)

7. The bowl seemed suddenly to turn itself over … .(F.F.)

8. Andrew swung round to see Mrs. Page sail out of the sitting-room, her face unusually pale, her black eyes sparkling with some violent emotion. (Cron.)

9. Again Bernice had to speak. “Do you want me to go home?” (F.F.)

Exercise 9.

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

1. If they intended (to break) open her peace of mind from curiosity, she was prepared (to defend). (White)

2. These is something little (to choose) between the reality of illusion and the illusion of reality. (White)

3. Bernice looked round again, she seemed unable (to get) away from Warren’s eyes. (F. F.)

4. Aunt Ann didn’t ask him (to explain) this strange utterance. (Galsw.)

5. As he went out (to pay) a call, which had just come in, at 3 Riskin Street, Andrew felt his heart quicken to the day. (Cron.)

6. He had noticed that people really do not want (to be bothered). (S.M.)

7. You must be blind not (to see) the kind of person he is. (Cron.)

8. It was stupid of me (to take) offence. (S.M.)

9. Above all this true Forsyte refused (to feel) himself ridiculous. (Galsw.)

10. They began (to fire) questions at Andrew. (Cron.)

Exercise 10.

Complete the following using the gerund or the infinitive.

1. He has made remarkable progress, we hope him … .

2. You don’t try … .

3. I am going … .

4. He can’t afford … .

5. I am sure that you and he will be able … .

6. I remember he used … .

7. Obviously the only way is … .

8. A few days later he came … .

9. He tried to remember how … .

10. Inside, he lit the gas and began … .

11. She did not stop … .

12. She got up and looked quite prepared … .

13. He knew it … .

14. Something terrible is going … .

15. He wanted … .

16. Miss Marple sighed and said, “We all had … .”

17. You want me … .

Exercise 11.

Insert “not” or “without” before the -ing-form, thus using the participle or the gerund.

1. I had known Roy for twenty years … learning that he always kept the little book in which he put down his engagements. (S.M.)

2. Mrs. Stroeve sat quietly mending her stockings, … talking. (S.M.)

3. “I’m awfully sorry,” I said, … knowing what to say. (S.M.)

4. … pausing, she embraced Christine. (Cron.)

5. He looked at me for a moment … speaking. (D. Rob.)

6. They can carry on an amusing and animated conversation … giving a moment’s reflection. (S.M.)

7. Forester somewhat grandly gave the waiter a note and told him to keep the change, then without a word, … giving Fred Hardy another look, stalked, out of the bar. (S.M.)

8. … thinking what he was at, he changed slightly the position of a table. (S.M.)

9. Often … exchanging a word they would sit for an hour. (S.M.)

10. He pressed her hand … speaking. (S.M.)

11. He stood … moving, watching her as she went upstairs. (P.W.)

12. We worked … ceasing, day and night, and we seemed to make no progress. (S.M.)

13. He had enough on his mind … wanting to relinquish his secretary. (D. Rob.)

Exercise 12.

Recast the following sentences so as to use constructions with a non-finite form of the verb instead of subordinate clauses.

1. It appeared he had not two thoughts on the matter.

2. It appeared that her admiration for the famous writer was so intense that she was prepared to cut an engagement in London.

3. He insisted that I should go with them.

4. It seemed that Jack had chosen the moment to ask me to grant him a favour.

5. He regretted that he had done this.

6. I was sure that she had read all Mike’s books.

7. It seemed that he was having a good time.

8. It happened that they knew one another very well.

9. Andrew saw that Clara’s eyes widened with surprise.

Exercise 13.

Read the following dialogue. Point out the non-finite forms of the verb. Make up your own dialogues using the non-finite forms of the verb.