4. Ways of rendering gerundial constructions.

The gerundial construction is multifunctional and it performs in the sentence practically the same syntactic functions as a single gerund does. As a result, the ways of rendering this construction in Ukrainian have much in common with the ways of translating a single gerund. The difference is that in translating this construction we more often prefer a clause to a one-word structure. It can be explained by the existence of the nominal part of the construction which is usually used as the subject of a clause in Ukrainian translation.

When the gerundial construction is used as a complex subject, it is usually translated by a noun with an attribute or by a clause with the Ukrainian conjunction те, що; те, як.

E.g. His coming so early surprised us very much.Його ранній прихід дуже здивував нас. /Те, що він прийшов так рано, дуже здивувало нас.

When the gerund is used as a complex predicative, we translate it as a clause introduced by the conjunction те, що.

E.g. What really infuriated me was his discussing my affairs behind my back. Мене дуже розлютило те, що він обговорює мої справи за моєю спиною.

As a complex attribute this construction is translated by an attributive clause with the conjunction що.

E.g. There wasn’t the slightest hope of their getting there in time.Не було ні найменшої надії, що вони дістануться туди вчасно.

In the function of a complex object the gerundial construction is usually rendered as an object clause introduced by the conjunctions що, щоб.

E.g. I insist on your telling me about all the details. Я наполягаю на тому, щоб ти розповів мені всі деталі.

As an adverbial modifier of different types this construction is always translated into Ukrainian by an adverbial clause with conjunctions which correspond to the type of the adverbial modifier.

E.g. After Mary’s saying it there was a long pause in the room. Після того, як Мері сказала це, в кімнаті запала тривала тиша.

I felt much better for his having told me all the truth. Я відчув себе набагато краще, через те, що він розповів мені всю праву.

In spite of the child making a terrible noise, the mother pretended not to notice it. Незважаючи на те, що дитина здійняла страшенний галас, мати робила вигляд, що не помічає цього.

Self-assessment test

1. The number of paradigmatic forms of the gerund of intransitive verbs is

a) 2

b) 3

c) 4

2. The Indefinite Gerund can express priority of the action after the prepositions

a) on upon, after, at

b) on, with, after, without

c) on ,upon, after without

3. The Indefinite gerund can express priority of the action after the verbs

a) to forget, to forgive, to remember, to thank, to excuse

b) to forget, to forgive, to remind, to thank, to excuse

c) to forget, to forgive, to remember, to thank, to regret

4. The Active Gerund expresses a passive meaning after the verbs

a) to want, to need, to deserve, to remember

b) to want, to need, to deserve, to require

c) to want, to dare, to deserve, to require

5. The Active Gerund expresses a passive meaning after the adjective

a) wonderful

b) great

c) worth

6. The gerund performs the function of an attribute when it is preceded by

a) conjunctions

b) prepositions

c) neither prepositions nor conjunctions

7. The gerund is never used in the sentence as

a) predicative

b) parenthesis

c) part of a compound verbal modal predicate

8. The number of gerundial constructions the gerund can form is

a) 3

b) 2

c) 1

9. As an adverbial modifier the gerund is always used with

a) adverbs

b) prepositions

c) conjunctions

10. The prepositions OWING TO, FOR FEAR OF precede the gerund in the function of an adverbial modifier of

a) time

b) cause

c) purpose