- •Alexandrova t.A., Fenova e.A.
- •Verbals. Oblique Moods. Modal Verbs.
- •Рецензенты:
- •Предисловие
- •The Infinitive
- •The infinitive as a non-finite form of the verb.
- •The morphological characteristics of the infinitive.
- •1.2.1. Aspect and voice distinctions of the infinitive do not differ from those of the finite verb.
- •The particle "to" before the infinitive
- •1.3.1. The split infinitive
- •1.4.3. The infinitive is used as an object to verbs expressing:
- •1.4.4. The infinitive used as an attribute immediately follows its head-noun.
- •1.4.5. The infinitive can be used as an adverbial modifier.
- •1.4.5.1. An adverbial modifier of purpose:
- •1.4.5.2. An adverbial modifier of result or consequence:
- •1.4.5.3. An adverbial modifier of subsequent events:
- •Predicative constructions (complexes) with the infinitive
- •1.6.1. The Accusative with the Infinitive
- •1.6.2. The Nominative with the Infinitive
- •1.6.3. The Infinitive For-Phrase
- •Exercises
- •Without the anticipatory it
- •With the anticipatory it
- •Predicative Constructions (Complexes) with the Infinitive
- •Revision Exercises
- •Participle I
- •2.1. The morphological characteristics.
- •2.2. The temporal meaning of participle I.
- •2.3. The functions of participle I.
- •2.3.1. An attribute
- •The Accusative with participle I (complex object)
- •The nominative with participle I (complex subject)
- •The nominative absolute construction with participle I
- •The absolute construction with participle I introduced by "with". The absolute construction without participle I.
- •3.4. The functions of participle II.
- •3.4.1. An attribute
- •3.4.2. A predicative
- •3.5.6. The prepositional absolute construction.
- •Exercises
- •Predicative constructions (complexes) with participle II.
- •The Gerund
- •The morphological characteristics.
- •The temporal meaning of the gerund.
- •4.8. Some prepositional verbs and phrases used with the gerund.
- •Exercises
- •Gerundial complexes (constructions)
- •The gerund and the infinitive
- •The gerund, participle I, the verbal noun
- •Revision exercises on participle and gerund.
- •5.1.5. Subjunctive I and the suppositional mood represent an action as problematic but not as contradicting reality.
- •5.2.5. The tenses within the sentence need not be the same; the rules of the sequence of tenses are not observed with any of the oblique moods forms.
- •5.3. Aspect and voice distinctions.
- •5.4.2.3. To express advice (a) and preference (b) (subjunctive II in the set phrases had better and would rather):
- •5.4.3. The conditional mood is used in simple sentences
- •5.4.3.1. With implied condition:
- •5.5.1.2.2. It is necessary to point out that when the verb in the object clause is affirmative in English, it is negative in Russian and vice versa.
- •5.5.1.2.3. To express a hardly realizable wish the present tense of subjunctive II of a modal verb may be used in these object clauses.
- •5.5.1.3. Both tenses of subjunctive II are used in adverbial clauses of comparison. The tenses are used relatively.
- •5.5.1.3.1. The same rules hold good for predicative clauses introduced by as if and as though.
- •5.5.2. Subjunctive II and the conditional mood in complex sentences.
- •5.5.2.1. In a complex sentence with a subordinate clause of unreal condition subjunctive II is used in the clause of condition and the conditional mood is used in the principal clause.
- •5.5.2.1.2. Three forms are used in clauses of condition with reference to the future (for details see 5.5.3.4.):
- •5.5.2.2. In a complex sentence with a subordinate clause of concession the choice of the mood form depends on the conjunction which introduces the subordinate clause.
- •5.5.3.2.1. The same rules hold good for appositive (a) and predicative (b) clauses after nouns expressing order, suggestion, wish, agreement, etc.:
- •5.5.3.4. The suppositional mood is used in adverbial clauses of condition with reference to the future.
- •5.5.3.5. The suppositional mood and subjunctive I may be used in adverbial clauses of concession.
- •5.5.3.5.1. The suppositional mood is used with reference to the future.
- •5.5.3.5.2. Subjunctive I is used in clauses of concession introduced by though, although, whoever, etc.
- •5.5.3.5.3. The indicative mood of the modal verb may is often used in clauses of concession introduced by though, whoever, however, etc.
- •The Use of Moods in Simple Sentences and Independent Clauses
- •The Use of Moods in Complex Sentences Subjunctive II in Complex Sentences
- •Subjunctive II and the Conditional Mood in Complex Sentences
- •The Suppositional Mood and Subjunctive in Complex Sentences
- •Revision Exercises
- •6.3.6. Incredulity (in negative sentences)
- •Revision exercises on can and may
- •Exercises
- •Exercises
- •Should, ought (to)
- •6.8. In most of their meanings these verbs are used interchangeably. They express the following:
- •6.8.1. Advice, obligation, desirability
- •6.8.4. Supposition bordering on assurance; something that can be naturally expected
- •6.8.5. Why should, how should are to be considered set phrases used for emotional colouring:
- •Exercises.
- •6.11. Need can be used as a modal or as a regular verb. It has the following meanings:
- •6.11.2. Necessity (in negative and interrogative sentences)
- •6.11.4. To be in want of is expressed by the regular need
- •Exercises
- •Revision exercises on modal verbs
- •Literature
- •I. Theoretical sourses
- •II.Fiction and periodicals
- •III. Dictionaries
- •Abbreviations
- •Сontents
- •Александрова т.А., Фенова е.А.
The Gerund
The morphological characteristics.
The gerund developed from the verbal noun which in the course of time became verbalized preserving its nominal character. That is why the gerund has both noun and verb characteristics.
The gerund has the following forms:
|
Active |
Passive |
Indefinite |
writing |
being written |
Perfect |
having written |
having been written |
The temporal meaning of the gerund.
The tense distinctions of the gerund, like those of the participle, are relative. The indefinite gerund both active and passive denotes an action simultaneous with the action expressed by the finite verb:
He works (worked, will work) for many hours without stopping.
She doesn't like (didn't like) being laughed at.
The indefinite forms can also express prior actions:
I remember meeting him somewhere.
On receiving the telegram he went to the station.
After being found safe and sound, the children were sent home.
The perfect gerund expresses an action prior to that expressed by the finite verb:
He denies having stolen the papers.
She was not surprised at having been received in this manner.
The functions of the gerund.
Syntactically the gerund can be used as:
the subject
Talking mends no holes.
There was no going back.(Пути назад не было.)
It's no use arguing like that.
a predicative
Your task is looking after the children.
Are you against discussing the question now?
part of a compound verbal predicate (with verbs denoting the beginning, duration or the end of an action)
She began sobbing again.
They kept on laughing.
At last he stopped talking.
a direct object
You can't avoid being talked about.
She couldn't help laughing.
The book is worth reading.
I was busy writing a letter.
a prepositional object
Who is responsible for doing this work?
He was accused of stealing the money.
She is not used to getting up early.
an attribute (always with a preposition)
Do you like the idea of staying here longer?
There is no sense in talking to them.
an adverbial modifier of
4.3.7.1. time (with the prepositions after, before, on, in, at and the conjunction since)
After arriving they sat down to dinner.
At hearing the knock she went to the door.
He hasn't been seen anywhere since leaving home.
4.3.7.2. manner (with the prepositions by or in)
The day was spent in packing.
He opened the door by pushing it slightly.
4.3.7.3. attendant circumstances (with the preposition without)
They sat without talking for a long time.
4.3.7.4. condition (with the preposition without)
We can't discuss it without being given permission.
4.3.7.5. cause (with the prepositions for, for fear of, owing to)
She felt better for having spent so much time at home.
4.3.7.6. concession (with the preposition in spite of)
In spite of being her friend, he didn't dare to ask her this question.
4.3.7.7. Adverbial meanings are conveyed by the gerund with the prepositions instead of and besides:
Besides being beautiful, she is also very intelligent.
The boy played football instead of doing his homework.
Predicative constructions (complexes) with the gerund.
Such constructions consist of a nominal element expressed by a noun in the common or genitive case or a pronoun and the gerund. They fulfill the same syntactical functions as the gerund:
Jim's coming was a blessing. (subject)
The main thing is their arriving in time (predicative)
Do you mind our waiting here? (direct object)
Nobody objected to my friends being present too. (prepositional object)
There is no sense in your staying here. (attribute)
How did you get out without anybody seeing you? (adverbial modifier)
The gerund and participle I.
The gerund differs from participle I in a number of ways.
Participle I is never used as the subject, whereas it is one of the main functions of the gerund.
In the function of an attribute the gerund is always used with a preposition:
Look at these arguing women! (participle I)
There is no point in arguing with them. (gerund)
In the function of an adverbial modifier participle I is never used with prepositions; it can be used with the conjunctions when, while, as if. The gerund in this function is always used with a preposition:
(While) looking through the text I found several mistakes. (participle I)
In looking through the text I found several mistakes. (gerund)
In the combinations of an ing-form + a noun we deal with a participle as an attribute if the person denoted by the noun performs the action expressed by the ing-from:
a dancing girl (a girl who dances)
The gerund in such a combination is part of a compound noun and the person (or thing) denoted by the noun does not perform the action expressed by the ing-form:
a dancing hall (a hall for dancing)
Not + an ing-form is an adverbial modifier of cause where the ing-form is a participle:
Not knowing her address we could not send her a telegram.
Without + an ing-form is an adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances where the ing-form is a gerund:
He spoke without looking at me.
The gerund and the verbal noun.
The main points of difference between these parts of speech are the following.
The gerund has tense and voice distinctions: writing – having written – being written – having been written, the verbal noun has only one form – writing.
The gerund is not used with an article, the verbal noun can be used with an article:
The singing stopped suddenly. (verbal noun)
He stopped singing suddenly. (gerund)
She gave her hair a good brushing. (verbal noun)
The gerund has no plural form, the verbal noun can be used in the plural:
I am not interested in your likings and dislikings.
The gerund of a transitive verb takes a direct object:
Reading detective stories is his hobby.
The verbal noun takes a prepositional object:
The writing of the novel took him many years.
The gerund can be modified by adverbs:
She is incapable of singing well.
The verbal noun can be modified by adjectives:
Her wonderful singing delighted everybody.
The gerund and the infinitive.
With a number of verbs both the gerund and the infinitive can be used without any change of meaning:
He began to turn over (turning over) the pages of the book.
She continued to look (looking) at him.
I can't bear to be (being) alone.
With some verbs the use of gerund or infinitive changes the meaning of the utterance:
A lot of people are afraid to go out at night. (R.Murphy) (They don't go out intentionally because it is dangerous.)
I don't like dogs, I am afraid of being bitten.. (R.Murphy) (It is possible that I'll be bitten)
I remember to lock the door. (I will lock the door.)
I remember locking the door. (I locked the door.)
We can't go on living like this. (= continue living)
After discussing the economy he went on to talk about foreign policy. (= started to say something new) (R.Murphy)
I propose starting early. (=suggest starting)
I propose to start early. (=intend)
ashamed + infinitive expresses a personal attitude to something which has not yet happened: He is too ashamed to look at us.(R.A.Close)
ashamed + gerund shows an attitude to a past action: He is ashamed of losing (having lost) his temper. (R.A.Close)
hate + infinitive refers to a habit or a course of action that is not liked: I hate to see you cry.
hate + gerund lays emphasis on the activity: She hates flying.(R.A.Close)
The gerund after the verb to stop is part of a compound verbal predicate:
He stopped talking. (Он перестал говорить.)
The infinitive after this verb is an adverbial modifier of purpose:
He stopped to talk with us. (Он остановился, чтобы поговорить с нами.)
4.7.3. Some verbs are used only with the gerund. The most important of them are: admit, avoid, carry on, consider, delay, deny, enjoy, fancy, finish, give up, go on, imagine, keep on, mind, miss, postpone, put off, risk, suggest.
4.7.4. Some verbs are used only with the infinitive: arrange, demand, fail, hope, manage, offer, pretend, promise, refuse, threaten, wish.