- •The gerund: grammatical categories and ways of translation
- •Task 1. Decide if the statements given below are true or false.
- •I don’t remember hearing / having heard this legend before.
- •Task 3. Open the brackets to make the correct active or passive form of the gerund.
- •Task 4. Find the gerunds, translate the sentences and identify how the gerunds are rendered in translation (by an infinitive, a noun, participle I or a subclause).
- •Task 5. Translate into English using the correct active or passive form of the gerund.
- •Differentiating between the gerund, the verbal noun and participle I
- •The gerund must not be confused with the verbal noun, which has the same –ing suffix, compare:
- •Task 6. Sort the –ing forms in the sentences below as gerunds or verbal nouns. Explain what helped you to decide.
- •Task 7. Translate into English using the correct forms of the gerund or verbal nouns.
- •The gerund must not be confused with the participle I, which has the same –ing suffix, compare:
- •Task 8. Sort the –ing forms in the sentences below as gerunds or participles. Explain what helped you to decide.
- •Task 9. Translate into English using the correct forms of the gerund or participle I.
- •Task 10. Sort the –ing forms in the sentences below as gerunds, verbal nouns or participles. Explain what helped you to decide.
- •Gerundial phrases
- •I insist on all of them coming on time.
- •Task 11. Identify gerundial phrases and their elements, sort out complex objects, and translate into Russian/Ukrainian.
- •Task 12. Substitute the subclauses by gerundial phrases; insert prepositions where needed.
- •Task 13. Translate into English using gerundial phrases.
Michael was aware of something new stirring in his heart.
I insist on all of them coming on time.
Note 3: Do not confuse gerundial phrases and Complex Object with Participle I. Remember that both the gerundial phrase and complex object depend on the verbs after which they are used. Compare:
Gerundial Phrase |
Complex Object with Participle I
|
Kate remembered the cat falling from the tree. (remembered – a verb followed by a gerundial phrase: the cat – the nominal element; falling – the gerund) |
Kate saw the cat falling from the tree. (saw – a verb of sense perception followed by a complex object: the cat – the nominal element; falling – participle I;) |
4. Gerundial phrases are usually translated into Russian / Ukrainian by a clause starting with того, что; то, что; тем, что; как, etc.
e,g,
His being a foreigner was bad enough. = То, что он был иностранцем, уже было плохо. / Те, що він був іноземцем, вже було погано.
Task 11. Identify gerundial phrases and their elements, sort out complex objects, and translate into Russian/Ukrainian.
1 I had no idea of his leaving Kansas-City so soon.
2. Aunt Betty's coming here gives me much pleasure.
3. The librarian did not object to the reader keeping the book one day longer.
4. The minister’s wife said that she knew nothing about the letter having been stolen.
5. The minister’s wife said that she did not see the letter being stolen.
6. Mothers are always surprised at their daughters having grown up so quickly.
7. My trying to convince him is of no use.
8. When asked why he had missed the train, Harry said something about his watch being slow.
9. Prince Vlad approached without my seeing him.
10. Araminty stayed in town the whole summer because of her daughter getting married.
11. Katy heard Jim firing his gun again and again.
12. Do you mind my working at the library for a couple of days?
13. In the darkness of the castle, Jonathan Harker was afraid of losing his way.
14. Everyone could see Bridget’s soup turning unwholesomely blue.
15. On reaching his destination, Peter sent a telegram about his having arrived safely.
16. Thank you for helping me and my friends.
17. Hearing Margaret yelling at the top of her voice was quite uncanny.
18. The new medicine may be recommended only after its being approved by the Food and Drugs Administration.
19. Have you ever heard of a man of sense rejecting such an offer?
20. Jim heard Mary singing out of tune and realized that the party was over.
Task 12. Substitute the subclauses by gerundial phrases; insert prepositions where needed.
1. The pleasant-faced middle-aged woman insisted that Olga should come to her town to teach (on).
2. Helen suggested that they should go to Italy.
3. There is a possibility that my father will join us for the trip (of).
4. All the fans knew that the swimmer had been awarded three medals (of).
5. I don't mind if you walk to the underground station with me.
6. When de Quincy entered the house, he failed to hear the blast of an old gun (on).
7. Many thanks that you invited the refugees to enjoy your hospitality (for).
8. The woman insisted that her testimony should be written down at once (on).
9. She would not hear that the operation might be postponed (of).
10. There was little hope that Tarzan would return on the same day (of).
11. The thought that he had been turned away by the waiter made Soapy feel miserable (of).
12. When Oliver Twist entered the room, he glanced curiously around (on).
13. Harry felt much better after his arm had been given proper treatment.
14. Just before Harry left the classroom, he was approached by Neville who asked to help him.
15. Looking at Prof. Lockheart attentively, Harry remembered that he had seen his pictures on several occasions.
16. That nobody saw the three of them was a mere chance.
17. Dan’s mother insisted that her son should go to college (on).
18. The island looked so hostile and lonely that Frankenstein rejoiced at the thought that he had found a place to finish his promise (of).
19. When Tom entered, Daisy stood up and left the room, and even did not look at him (without).
20. When Harry came home from the college, after he had passed his examinations, he felt very happy (on).