V. Insert the correct preposition before the gerund where required

1. A solicitor does the legal work involved … buying a house.

2. Another worker is responsible … shaping and another for finishing.

3. Handwriting is the commonest method … proving the validity of a document.

4. He is responsible … keeping the brazier glowing and preparing the metal.

5. It is a very effective way … ensuring that the team is kept fully informed.

6. One way … reducing costs is through the use of containers.

7. The justices do this … interpreting provisions of the Constitution.

8. The process … taking an action to the highest court may be very costly.

9. There are two main reasons … having a variety of courts.

10. There is the possibility … coming to a friendly negotiated set­tlement.

VI. Join the following sentences

Model: He is worried. He might forget the number.

He is worried about forgetting the number.

1. He writes begging letters. He's resorted to it.

2. I was not very good. I could not climb the rope.

3. I'll see you soon. I look forward to it.

4. My friend was involved. She helped to organize the event.

5. My sister is quite capable. She can photocopy the document.

6. She is responsible. She messed up the arrangements.

7. The parcels are ready. We can load them into the van.

8. They are annoyed. They have to do all this work again.

9. We are bored. We're just sitting here.

10. We are fed up. We're always told to do the boring jobs.

VII. Match the sentence halves

1. He should consider	a) changing TV channels.
2. He strongly denied	b) coming from the forest.
3. I agreed to delay	c) her taking more responsibility.
4. I can hear someone	d) my leaving till the next day.
5. I could smell smoke	e) opening the safe.
6. I think that's enough to start her	f) our postponing the question till later.
7. It is difficult to keep them	g) sheltering in the barn.
8. The chairman suggested	h) shouting in the distance.
9. The police caught him	i) the band's playing very much.
10. The searchers found the boy	j) their meeting that afternoon.
11. They left us	k) thinking about the problem.
12. We enjoyed	l) working all the time.
13. We very much appreciate	m) worrying again.
14. Will you please stop	n) your helping us.

VIII. Complete the following using either a direct object or a possessive + gerund

1. Fancy … ! 2. I can't bear … . 3. I can't excuse … . 4. I really miss … .

5. Please forgive … . 6. They can't prevent … . 7. Would you mind … ? 8. You must pardon … .