Syntactic functions of the gerund subject

Exercise 7 Observe the gerunds in the syntactic function of the subject. Translate the sentences into Russian and comment on the form of the gerund:

A. 1. It’s a big world out there. Hiding is not that difficult. (J. Grisham) 2. But getting in his door was a challenge. (J. Grisham) 3. If being Marco would save his neck, then Marco he was. (J. Grisham) 4. Beating him wouldn’t have made any difference. (D. Francis) 5. Somehow, spending time with Gabby made him think about what he’d been missing. (N. Sparks) 6. As for Kevin... talking to him hadn’t done much to erase the memory. (N. Sparks)

B. 1. It’s no use crying over spilt milk. 2. It’s no use plumping a dry well. 3. It is good fishing in troubled waters. 4. “Maybe so, but it sure was fun being a Communist thirty years ago, especially in Texas. Those were the days.” (J. Grisham) 5. It’s been nice seeing you. (J. Turner) 6. It was no use trying to go back to sleep, he would get up and have a go at cooking something simple; (J. Turner)

C. 1. There was no turning back. (J. Grisham) 2. “There’s winning and winning,” he said testily. “You’ve ruined him for Cheltenham.” (D. Francis) 3. There is no use crying over spilt milk. 4. There’s no getting rid of him. 5. There will be no stopping her. 6. There was no crossing the river in spring.

Exercise 8 Paraphrase the following sentences using gerunds:

Model: To speak English is easy. – Speaking English is easy.

1. It is fun to meet your old friends. 2. It is dangerous to cross а busy street on the red light. 3. It is important to work on your English regularly. 4. For some people it is difficult to talk to unknown people. 5. It is expensive to live in а 5-star hotel. 6. It doesn’t take long to cook scrambled eggs. 7. It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness. 8. It is amusing to watch puppies and kittens. 9. For а businessman, it is important not to waste time. 10. It is very pleasant to have a walk on a fine autumn day.

Exercise 9 Paraphrase the following sentences according to the model:

Model 1: It is dangerous to do such things. –

Doing such things is dangerous.

1. It is foolish to hope for their help. 2. It is good for you to laugh. 3. It is а pleasure to work with him. 4. It is bad for her figure to eat between the meals. 5. It is pleasant to listen to music after work. 6. It was wonderful to climb in the mountains. 7. It was а great mistake to act that way. 8. It is а bad habit to lie. 9. If you behave like that, you’ll miss your chance. 10. It is easier to read the language than speak it. 11. It made us tired to study all day. 12. It interests him to learn idioms.

Model 2: Taking this medicine won’t help very much. –

It won’t be much use taking this medicine.

1. Lying to her will be useless. 2. Crying over spilt milk won’t help. 3. Having too much money doesn’t do any good. 4. Hoping for his assistance is useless. 5. Hiding the truth is not advisable. 6. Asking him for his advice won’t do any good. 7. Losing your temper won’t do any good. 8. Keeping him waiting is not advisable. 9. Trying to convince her will be useless. 10. Talking when you must act won’t be good.

Exercise 10 Translate into English using gerunds in the syntactic function of the subject:

1. Когда она в таком настроении, с ней не поговорить. 2. Бесполезно идти туда так поздно. 3. Бесполезно идти на это соревнование. Они все равно проиграют. 4. Купание в такую жаркую погоду очень приятно. 5. Бесполезно говорить ей об этом. Она поступит по-своему. 6. Уклоняться от трудностей не в моих правилах. 7. Читать хорошие книги всегда полезно. 8. Их не остановить, если они уже приняли решение. 9. Здесь не курят. 10. Здесь нет перехода.