Герундиальная конструкция

Герундиальная конструкция состоит из именной части и герундия. Именная часть может быть выражена:

1) Притяжательным местоимением или существительным в притяжательном падеже:

• Do you mind my smoking?

• Our talk was prevented by Richard’s coming back.

Если именная часть состоит из двух или более существительных, то притяжательный падеж не употребляется.

• I object to Mary and Jane going out on such a windy day.

2) Существительным в общем падеже, если обозначает неодушевленный предмет.

• Her thoughts were interrupted by the door opening gently.

Иногда именная часть герундиальной конструкции может быть выражена местоимением в объектном падеже.

• She doesn’t approve of me gambling.

На русский язык герундиальная конструкция чаще всего переводится придаточным дополнительным предложением («тем, что»; «то, что», «как»).

• Her thoughts were interrupted by the door opening gently. – Ее мысли были прерваны тем, что дверь мягко открылась.

Exercises

Ex. 1. Translate into Russian.

1.He insisted on my going there at once. 2. We may rely on their doing it. 3. I entered the room without his seeing it. 4. Your going there won’t help much. 5. Excuse my interrupting you. 6. His sleeping badly was he result of his overwork. 7. Do you mind Henry helping us? 8. We didn’t join you because o John’s being ill. 9. Who would have thought of its being he? 10. I don’t like the idea of starting so early. 11. You are responsible for the work being done in time. 12. I can’t stand the thought of your leaving us so soon. 13. I knew nothing of his having sent that letter. 14. There is still much to be done before our going home. 15. There cannot be any objections to your seeing her personally.

Test

1. Is there anything in that new magazine worth ___?

1. to read b) reading

2. Although I was in a hurry, I stopped ___ to him.

   1. to talk b) talking

3. I really must stop ___.

   1. to smoke b) smoking

4. Would you mind ___ the front door?

   1. to close b) closing

5. You should remember ___ him. He’ll be at home.

   1. to phone b) phoning

6. All parts of London seem ___ to different towns and epochs.

   1. to belong b) belonging

7. Do you enjoy ___?

   1. to teach b) teaching

8. Why have you stopped? Go on ___

   1. to read b) reading

9. The teacher asked us some questions and went on ___ about the climate of England.

   1. to tell b) telling

10. When we had finished ___, the waiter brought the bill.

    1. to eat b) eating

11. My elder brother went to college, and I hope ___ there too.

    1. to go b) going

12. My car needs a service badly, and Tom offered ___ me with it.

    1. to help b) helping

13. Avoid ___ and you’ll fell better soon.

a) to overeat b) overeating

14. I can’t help ___ about that awful accident.

    1. to think b) thinking

15. The Brains want ___ Boston this week.

    1. to leave for b) leaving for

16. I’ll always remember ___ you for the first time.

    1. to meet b) meeting