13. Gerund and infinitive after verbs

 

MAIN VERBS TAKING BOTH WITHOUT CHANGE IN MEANING

 

I began working. = I began to work.

 

BEGIN, start, continue, cease

 

LIKE, love, intend, propose

HATE, dread, neglect, can’t bear

PREFER doing this TO doing that (BUT: to do this RATHER THAN to do that)

 

MAIN VERBS TAKING BOTH WITH CHANGE IN MEANING

 

REMEMBER doing (помню, как делал) - remember to do (не забываю сделать)

 

FORGET doing (забываю, как делал) - forget to do (забываю сделать)

 

REGRET doing (сожалею, что сделал) - regret to do /to say, to inform/ (с сожалением, вынужден сделать)

 

GO ON doing (продолжаю делать) - go on to do (в продолжение чего-то, начинаю делать другое)

 

TRY doing (попробуй сделать это - это может помочь) - try to do (попытайся сделать это - приложи усилия)

 

 

MAIN VERBS TAKING GERUNDS ONLY

 

SET ABOUT (= begin), burst out

KEEP (on), resume

DELAY, postpone, put off

FINISH, give up, stop, quit, leave off, complete

 

AVOID, escape, dislike, detest, resist, resent, can’t stand, can’t face, deny

DON’T MIND, tolerate, endure

ENJOY, can’t help, can’t resist, feel like, be worth

 

CONSIDER, contemplate, risk

SUGGEST, recommend, advise (but: advise smb. to do)

 

APPRECIATE, anticipate, excuse, forgive, pardon, understand

ACKNOWLEDGE, admit

MISS, recall, recollect

DISCUSS, mention, practice, be busy

HAVE TROUBLE, have difficulty

FANCY, can’t imagine

 

 

Exercise 13.1. Choose between the infinitive and the gerund of the indicated verb.

 

1. 1.    She tried (take) an interest in my work.

2. 2.    To learn to write, I tried (alter) words or the order in which they were set.

3. 3.    Why didn’t you try (find) yourself a job?

4. 4.    She tried (knit), but her fingers were numb.

5. 5.    Margaret and I were upset and the others went on (try) (cheer) us up.

6. 6.    The article went on (say) that Miss MacLean was born in Dublin and still had relations there.

7. 7.    He went on (talk) about his children.

8. 8.    I must remember (tell) the others not to mention it to Willy.

9. 9.    Yes, I remember (see) the letter on the mantle piece.

10. 10. I remember (take) for a drive by a kind lady who wanted to show me round.

11. 11. I must remember (look) through my pockets.

12. 12. I remember (have) to hear endless incidents from my mother’s childhood.

13. 13. I must remember not (slouch), he thought, and must lose some weight.

14. 14. The general never forgot (take) his boys out for a drive one Sunday day in June.

15. 15. Don’t forget (lock) the door when you decide to go to bed.

16. 16. I now regretted not (go) with her, but it was too late to run after her.

17. 17.  I regret (disappoint) you but you ought to know the facts.

18. 18.  I think he was beginning (doubt) it.

19. 19.  She could not begin (unpack).

20. 20.  Harriet cleared her throat and began (search) her pockets for cigarettes.

21. 21.  He began (write) the draft of a new plan that afternoon, just to see how it looks.

22. 22.  Without waiting for his reply she began (gather).the plums.

23. 23.  Margaret continued (visit) his wife in hospital.

24. 24.  He continued (hum) the tune.

25. 25.  I liked (play).with the dog.

26. 26.  I liked (have) lodgings of my own, where I could be by myself.

27. 27.  He liked (sit) up late into the night smoking his pipe and drinking a glass of whiskey.

28. 28.  She asked him whether he hated (fly) as much as she did.

29. 29.  I hated (think) of her wishes being forced in any way.

30. 30.  She hates (work) for television.

31. 31.  I hate (admit) it, but I think I can understand her Daddy.

32. 32.  Outside, the church bells started (ring).

33. 33.  He started (walk) back to the hotel.

34. 34.  It's started (rain).

 

 

Exercise 13.2. Use the infinitive or –ING-form of the indicated verb. Add an object before the infinitive if necessary.

 

Anna: I can't help (wonder) why you take a bus to work every day. You have a car, don't you?

 

Joel: Yes, but car problems forced (try) (take) the bus for a week last year. That experience convinced (use) public transportation.

 

Anna: Why? (Drive) is much faster. On the bus you waste time (follow) a very long and indirect route. In a car, you can take the most direct route.

 

Joel: I'm not sure that it is faster. What about traffic? When I drove, I couldn't stand (drive) in my car in traffic that wasn't moving. Maybe (take) public transportation seems (waste) time, but it really doesn't. I manage (do) a lot of work on the bus, things like (read) company reports. (Work) on the bus helps (have) more free time at home.

 

Anna: I don't have much trouble with traffic because I go to work early, and I've learned (avoid) (get) caught in slow traffic by taking back roads. Why don't you consider (drive) again? I'll show you some roads where there's never much traffic.

 

Joel: You really don't believe me. I prefer (use) public transportation! I don't miss (drive) and (waste) time (sit) in traffic jams. In addition, I'm sure it's cheaper (take) a bus. A monthly bus pass costs $32, and it permits (ride) on the bus as many times as you want during the month. I bet you pay that much just for parking, without (count) gas, insurance, or maintenance.

 

Anna: Maybe you're right, but I don't mind (pay) a little extra for the freedom and comfort a car gives me. I really hate (wait) at bus stops. I remember (stand) in the rain for an hour once. Never again! I refuse (take) public transportation. I have an idea, Joel. I'd like (give) you a ride to work tomorrow. I think you've forgotten how comfortable and convenient cars are.

 

Joel: That's very nice of you, but no thanks. Really, Anna, you should give up (try) (convince) (change) my mind about buses. I won't!

 

Exercise 13.3. Translate the following into English using infinitives or gerunds as direct objects.

 

1. 1.    Она стала плакать. (to begin)

2. 2.    Я хотел что-нибудь выяснить о нем. (to want)

3. 3.    Он совсем проснулся и был склонен почитать, но единственной книгой в комнате была библия. (to feel like)

4. 4.    Поль не нуждается в защите. (to need)

5. 5.    Он любил находиться в обществе своих родственников. (to like)

6. 6.    Он непрерывно поглядывал на часы, и когда он выпил чай, он сказал, что должен возвращаться. (to keep)

7. 7.    Теперь я начинал понимать кое-что. (to begin)

8. 8.    Вскоре я перестал быть полезным им. (to cease)

9. 9.    Дэн не мог устоять и не показать своей работы.(to resist)

10. 10. Даже в затемненной комнате я не мог не видеть, что лицо миссис Джоунз распухло от слез. (cannot help)

11. 11. Все то январское утро телефон настойчиво звонил в моем кабинете. (to keep)

12. 12. Я предложил найти доктора и привести его к Эду. (to propose)

13. 13. Я не думаю, чтобы он упоминал о том, что навещал их. (to mention)

14. 14. Они позабыли пригласить меня. (to forget)

15. 15. Я никогда не забуду, как я гостил в вашем доме в Кенте. (to forget)

16. 16. Я пытаюсь читать. (to try)

17. 17. Мне не хотелось оставлять его одного в горе, и я предложил отвезти его к себе домой. (to want, to offer)

18. 18. Я отложил письмо к нему на завтра. (to put off)

19. 19. Я не мог вынести, чтобы со мной обращались так холодно. (to endure)

20. 20. Она не возражала против того, чтобы быть одной в коттедже. (to mind)

21. 21. Я всерьез принялся писать короткие рассказы. (to set about)

22. 22. Он был рад, что она позаботилась написать ему. (to take the trouble)

23. 23. Ты помнишь, как ты доставлял виноградный сок в этот дом в то утро? (to remember)

24. 24. Ты не забыл послать деньги в Лидс? (to remember)

25. 25. Я решил не беспокоить Роджера этим делом. (to decide)

26. 26. О, я думаю, вам понравится жить здесь, когда наступит лето. (to enjoy)

27. 27. Он пробовал выращивать там картошку. (to try)

28. 28. Я знал, что он старается накопить денег. (to try)

29. 29. Мы не собираемся проситься пойти с вами. (to ask)

30. 30. Я устал притворяться, что я пишу или читаю. (to pretend)

31. 31. Мне не хотелось шутить. (to feel like)

32. 32. Я отказываюсь принять ответственность за твои действия. (to refuse)

33. 33. Он старался избежать встречи с кем-нибудь, кого он знал. (to avoid)

34. 34. Несмотря на дождь мы продолжали ждать. (to go on)

35. 35. В эти дни он не мог позволить себе опаздывать. (cannot afford)

36. 36. Хью прочитал в одной американской газете рецензию на эту книгу и предложил купить ее для их библиотеки. (to suggest)

37. 37. Когда я вернулся в дом, я не забыл стереть с лица дождь. (to remember)

38. 38. Я помню, что как-то говорил тебе об этом, Льюис. (to remember)

39. 39. Возможно, что Молли пожалела, что она так много болтала. (to regret)

40. 40. Она все больше и больше страшилась остаться одной с детьми. (to dread)

41. 41. Остальные, без суеты, согласились принять участие. (to agree)

42. 42. Ее друзья обещали прислать ей работу. (to promise)

43. 43. Она села у камина и приготовилась рассказывать свои новости. (to prepare)

44. 44. Смиты все уладили, чтобы взять на себя заботу о детях. (to arrange)

45. 45. Он продолжал упорно звонить в гостиницу, спрашивая, нет ли для него каких-либо сообщений. (to keep)

46. 46. Вы хотите взглянуть на него? (to care)

47. 47. Он не позаботился о том, чтобы ответить. (to trouble)

48. 48. Утром он начал переезжать в комнату внизу. (to start)

49. 49. Жильцы этого дома предпочитали не интересоваться чужими делами. (to prefer)

 

 

14. GERUND after prepositions

 

VERBS

 

at aim

by begin

for account, compensate, blame smb.

from result, prevent smb.

in end, persist, result, succeed

into coax smb., persuade smb., talk smb.

of accuse smb., approve, boast, come, complain, dream, remind smb., suspect smb.

on comment, count, depend, insist, rely, congratulate smb.

out of talk , coax smb.

to look forward, object, plead guilty, take

with charge smb., interfere

 

ADJECTIVES

 

TO BE...

at angry, annoyed, indignant, irritated, (but: WITH smb.), slow, quick (also: IN)

for responsible

in interested, experienced, skillful, right, wrong, involved

of (un)aware, (in)capable, (un)conscious, guilty, proud, sure, be on the point

on insistent, intent, keen, dependent

to (un)accustomed, (un)used

with bored, content (angry, annoyed WITH smb.)

 

NOUNS

 

at attempt, delight, surprise

for cause, reason, grounds, gift, reputation, talent

in advantage, difficulty, experience, interest, sense, no point, take pride, skill, use

to objection

of be on the point of, make a point of

 

Exercise 14.1. Supply the necessary prepositions for the gerunds used as prepositional objects.

 

1. 1.       Jones insisted ... shaking hands.

2. 2.       I take all the blame ... not seeing further than my nose.

3. 3.       She glanced up ... marking a pile of papers, and said: "Hello, Hugh."

4. 4.       Unfortunately I haven't succeeded . .. making much impression on you.

5. 5.       He made a point . . . never sounding disappointed.

6. 6.       His mission had very little to do . . . winning the war.

7. 7.       He had never had much difficulty . .. getting jobs. The trouble had always been . . . keeping them.

8. 8.       She thanked him . . . taking her out.

9. 9.       He did not object . .. seeing Francis.

10. 10.   If he persists . .. marrying the girl, it will mean absolute ruin for him.

11. 11.   She took . . . wearing jeans.

12. 12.   When asked what his father did in life, the boy answered, "My father works . . . keeping the world . . . having another war."

13. 13.   I shall look forward . . . seeing your book.

14. 14.   I thought . . . taking a trip up the Scandinavian coast.

15. 15.   Jack hesitated, then decided . . . talking.

16. 16.   I told him that we were about to be turned out of our flat . . . not paying the rent.

17. 17.   I hated him . .. laughing with the others.

18. 18.   So when she compromised . . . letting me talk her . . . having at least some grape juice, I let it go at that.

19. 19.   He went back . . . reading his paper.

20. 20.   Quite late, when he was on the point . . . going upstairs, the door bell rang.

21. 21.   He put the note under a saucer on the table to keep it . .. blowing away.

22. 22.   The man of letters is accustomed ... writing.

23. 23.   I became aware of the specific benefit I was capable ... getting from travel.

24. 24.   Mrs Attley was very skillful . . . directing the table talk away from her daughter.

25. 25.   Some people were nice . . . turning me down.

26. 26.   I'm sick . . . doing things for you.

27. 27.   You seem upset . .. losing Jones.

28. 28.   She was set ... helping him.

29. 29.   I don't say I'm proud . . . cheating him out of 300 dollars.

30. 30.   Your colleagues are good . .. keeping a secret, aren't they?

31. 31.   He is usually fairly careful . . . making his statements.

32. 32.   He is quite excited ... being among us again.

33. 33.   It was five minutes later than my usual bedtime and I felt guilty . . . being still up.

34. 34.   She was quick . . . finding out things.

35. 35.   Dolly seemed relieved ... not having to make a scene.

36. 36.   I tried to be as nice as possible . . . refusing.

37. 37.   You seem very fond ... saying things behind my back.

38. 38.   But he was slow ... replying.

39. 39.   He selected a dingy little place where he felt sure . . . not meeting any acquaintances.

 

Exercise 14.2. Restate the sentences using gerunds and making necessary alternations.

 

1. 1.    Do you mind if I close the window?

2. 2.    The doctor insisted that she stay at home.

3. 3.    Will you object if I smoke in the living-room?

4. 4.    There is a chance that he will be appointed editor-in-chief.

5. 5.    There is no opportunity that they will come to see us in such rainy weather.

6. 6.    Is there any hope that you will receive the letter sooner?

7. 7.    We were informed that the ship had arrived at the port.

8. 8.    Will you excuse me if I ask you again?

9. 9.    I’ve heard that your son has been promoted recently.

10. 10. There’s no fear that she’ll forget about the appointment.

11. 11. You may avoid many mistakes if you observe the rules.

12. 12. I am thankful that I have been stopped in time.

13. 13. I remember that I have read this book.

14. 14. As soon as Tom saw his wife and child get off the airplane, he broke into a big smile.

15. 15. I wouldn’t forget if I had ever come across his name before.

16. 16. His arm showed no sign that it had been injured.

17. 17. I remember that I already visited Paris when I was very young.

18. 18. They had much difficulty when they were trying to find the house.

 

 

Exercise 14.3. Translate the following into English using gerunds as prepositional objects.

 

1. 1.       Он не возражал против того, чтобы там находились другие люди. (to object)

2. 2.       Я не виню тебя за то, что тебе так хочется уехать из города в такую погоду. (to blame)

3. 3.       Я не имел никакого отношения к тому, что он принял это решение, (to have nothing to do)

4. 4.       Тогда я заподозрил его в том, что он меня дразнит. (to suspect)

5. 5.       Нам было не трудно быть приятным друг другу. (to have no difficulty)

6. 6.       Он настаивал на том, чтобы научить ее этой сложной игре. (to insist)

7. 7.       Не было ничего, что могло бы помешать ему вернуться в Лондон. (to prevent)

8. 8.       Он извинился, что задержал меня. (to apologize)

9. 9.       Мне не удалось заставить Энн говорить. (to succeed)

10. 10.   Отец часто обвинял меня в том, что я отношусь к дому как к отелю. (to accuse)

11. 11.   Я был в самом деле не уверен, что я чувствую по поводу того, что Джек приезжает домой. (to feel)

12. 12.   Я сказал ему о том, что Фил хочет пойти с нами. (to tell)

13. 13.   У отеля она настояла на том, чтобы заплатить за такси. (to insist)

14. 14.   Дэн уговорил Белла остаться с ним завтракать. (to talk)

15. 15.   Он посмотрел вниз на то, как вода собирается у его ног в лужу. (to look down)

16. 16.   Доктор начал с того, что пощупал его пульс. (to begin)

17. 17.   На секунду я испугался, что он задумал подать в отставку. (to think)

18. 18.   Он настоял на том, чтобы Анну немедленно пригласили сюда. (to insist)

19. 19.   Я не одобряю его за то, что он вообще влез в это дело. (to disapprove)

20. 20.   Я спросил его, как ему нравится быть доктором. (to feel about)

21. 21.   Как ты объяснил покупку этого автомобиля? (to account)

22. 22.   Он упрекал себя за то, что не попытался поговорить с нею. (to reproach)

23. 23.   Ты умеешь держать язык за зубами. (good)

24. 24.   Я гордился тем, что пригодился ему. (proud)

25. 25.   Я знал, что он не способен принимать решения. (capable)

26. 26.   Доктор привык выслушивать всяких людей. (used)

27. 27.   Мне жаль, что я причинил вам так много беспокойства. (sorry)

28. 28.   Я больше, чем ты, заинтересован в том, чтобы найти ее. (interested)

29. 29.   Я уверен, что ты вполне способен справиться с большинством ситуаций. (capable)

30. 30.   Мне надоело пытаться делать то, что мне давалось нелегко. (tired)

31. 31.   Я удивился тому, что он вообще женился. (surprised)

32. 32.   Я был немного разочарован тем, что не встретил Чарльза. (disappointed)

33. 33.   Она была благодарна ему за то, что он понял, что ей не хочется говорить о себе. (grateful)

34. 34.   Он был раздражен на нее за то, что она втянула его в эту ссору. (annoyed)

35. 35.   Он любил смеяться над теми, кто был робок. (fond)

 

 

Exercise 14.4. Read the dialog using the appropriate verbal and adding prepositions where necessary. Analyze the function of the verbals.

 

Harry:	Nora! Nora!
Nora:	(Coming into the room) Yes, what is it now, Harry?
Harry:	Oh, there you are. Look here, Nora, I’m tired (lie) here on my back with nothing to do. I hate (do) nothing.
Nora:	Don’t be silly, Harry. You’ve got a temperature, and (stay) in bed is the only sensible thing to do. Now, just be quiet, and stop (prevent) me (do) my housework!
Harry:	No, seriously, Nora, I can’t bear it. (Lie) flat on my back.
Nora:	Well then, try (lie) on your stomach for a change.
Harry:	Stop (be) funny. I’m going to get up. (Standing up) There! Look! I’m standing up. I’m quite all right. What’s the use (stay) in bed?
Nora:	I think you’re being very silly. You’ll only make your temperature (go) up again.
Harry:	It’s no use (talk), Nora - (be) ill doesn’t suit me.
Nora:	No - and (try) to nurse you doesn’t suit me!
Harry:	Now, don’t be bitter about it. You know I’m grateful to you (look) after me. But you mustn’t try (keep) me in bed like a naughty boy.
Nora:	Well, you began it! (behave) like a naughty boy.
Harry:	I’m all against this (stay) in bed for no reason. (Comes up to the window.)
Nora:	Harry, (be) ill is a reason… Now, don’t stand by that window and catch another cold… Let me see, half past eleven -
Harry:	Why do you keep (look) at the clock?
Nora:	I’m expecting Mother - she’s coming over for the day.
Harry:	Good heavens! I didn’t know that!
Nora:	Yes, I think she has something she wants to talk to you about.
Harry:	Oh heavens! Has she? (groans) … You know, Nora, I do feel a bit ill. Perhaps I had better (get) back to bed.
Nora:	Oh, what a pity! I thought perhaps you might stay up (see) her.
Harry:	(To himself) That’s the very reason I’m getting back into bed!
Nora:	What did you say?
Harry:	Oh, eh - nothing.