The Gerund as an adverbial modifier

The prepositions preceding different adverbial modifiers:

of time - before, after, on, in;

of comparison - as if, as though;

of manner - without, by;

of cause - for, through, owing to;

of attendant circumstances - besides, instead of, apart from;

of purpose - for the purpose of, with a view to;

of condition - in case of, in the event of, subject to;

of concession - though.

E.g. Without looking up I apologized and proceeded on my way.

..An ideal vehicle for improving the targeting of illicit drugs without

hindering the legitimate circulation of people and goods.

The American lady looked wholesome in spite of not having slept.

He who makes a false statement in enumerating his goods, shall be fined...

The Customs services responded to this change by making increased

seizures of cocaine.

Exercise 27. Supply the necessary preposition. Translate the sentences into Russian

1. …… declaring its independence in 1976, the struggling young nation found itself on the brink of bankruptcy.

2. Among the responsibilities with which Customs is specifically charged with is to protect American business and labor … enforcing statutes and regulations such as the Anti-Dumping Act.

3. …. carrying out its border protecting mission, Customs must balance the dictates of enforcement with the requirement to facilitate the legitimate movement of passengers and cargo into the United States.

4. You are our customer, and we hope to serve you well … making your customs clearance as quick and unobtrusive as possible.

5. … clearing US Customs , a traveler is considered either a “returning US resident” or a “non-resident”.

6. … deducting your exemption and the value of any duty –free articles, a flat 10% rate of duty will be applied to the next $1.000 worth of merchandise.

7. Vehicles, boats, and planes taken abroad for non-commercial use may be returned duty-free … proving to the Customs officer that you took them out of the US.

8. To facilitate reentry, you may register these items at any Customs or ATF (The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) office … departing the US.

9. This program is another example of the Customs commitment to quality service … providing personalized service to the airlines, travel agents, and the traveling public.

10.The personal and household effects of anyone employed by the US Government, whether in a civilian or military capacity, are eligible for duty-free entry when that person returns to the United States … completing an extended-duty assignment abroad, if the employee was in the possession of the articles …. departing for the US.

11.The marking must be visible … disassembling the item or removing or changing the position of any parts.

12. The above movements and cases must be conspicuously and indelibly marked … cutting, die-sinking, engraving, stamping or mold-marking.

13. The duty-free exemption, also called the personal exemption, is the total value of merchandise you may bring back to the United States … having to pay duty on it.

14.The local post office delivers packages … charging any additional postage, handling costs, or other fees.

15. EPA’s (Environmental Protection Agency) Automotive Imports Fact Manual can be obtained … writing to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Exercise28. Complete the following by using by + a gerund or gerund phrase

E.g. He avoided paying duty by producing counterfeit documents.

1. You can apply for a refund … .

2. We satisfy our curiosity… .

3. I found out what "HS" means… .

4. Customs officers improve their professional skills … .

5. The smuggler caught my attention … .

6. They got rid of the unnecessary paperwork … .

7. A drug-detector dog shows that it has found something … .

8. He accidentally gave himself away … .

9. Sometimes passengers get into trouble with Customs… .

10. He got a Customs broker’s license … .

Exercise 29. Replace adverbial clauses of time by gerundial phrases

1. When he arrived at the airport, he went to customs checking area first thing.

2. When he was looking through the documents he came across a few inconsistencies and discrepancies.

3. After he had packed all the things he filled out the declaration.

4. She hesitated before she entered the necklace into the declaration.

5. When I was passing their office, I noticed that all the windows were dark.

6. After they completed all the formalities they started discussing the storage fees.

7. When I learned the results of the goods evaluation I turned to the customs broker.

8. When he reached the cargo terminal, he slowed down.

9. Before she rose from table she made me a sign to follow her.

10. When she graduated the Customs Academy, she got a job at the local Customs office.

Exercise 30. Answer the following questions using gerundial phrases

E.g. How did he manage to clear the customs so quickly? (to meet the requirements)

He managed to clear the customs so quickly her by meeting the customs requirements.

How did they let the cargo go through the customs? (not to examine)

They let the cargo go through the customs without examining.

1. How does the Customs service keep abreast of the changing methods of smuggling? (to modify operations)

2. How did you learn to speak the language so well? (to speak to native speakers)

3. How did the committee accept the terms? (not to argue)

4. How did the offender manage to smuggle 1 kg of hashish? (to conceal on his body)

5. How did he leave? (not to say good-bye)

6. How did she learn to work on the computer so well? (to practice a lot)

7. How did he tell you about the drug seizure? (not to go into details)

8. How did they manage to get such excellent results? (to use a new method)

9. How did the rummage team manage to get aboard the arrested vessel in time? (to take a motor boat)

10. How did they clear the Customs? ( to submit the necessary documentation)

Exercise 31. Complete the sentence using the gerund as an adverbial modifier

1. Before … she decided to investigate the contraband seizure.

2. His outlook has broadened after ... .

3. After … she filed a report to the local Customs office.

4. In ... she overlooked the concealment place.

5. She took far too much upon herself by ... .

6. He produced his shipping documents on ... .

7. You will have to take my words on faith before ... .

8. Instead of … Customs inspectors used ultrasonic rangefinders.

9. He could detect any concealment without ... .

10. Besides ... the US Customs expanded its fleet of X-ray vans.

11. He was afraid he might upset all their plans by ... .

12. In spite of … every passenger was searched.

13. Take your time before ... .

14. On ... she suddenly felt her nerves were at breaking point.

15. The matter cannot be so easily dismissed without ... .

Exercise 32. Translate the sentences using the gerund as an adverbial modifier

1. Заполняя декларацию, он сократил некоторые слова, и ему пришлось переписать все заново.

2. После осмотра и изъятия наркотических и других подобных веществ их следует направить на судебно-медицинскую экспертизу.

3. Кроме изъятия наркотических и других веществ, при обыске изымаются и направляются на экспертизу предметы, используемые для их изготовления, хранения и перевозки.

4. Контрабанду оружия чаще всего осуществляют, скрывая оружие от таможенного контроля среди товаров народного потребления, строительных материалов и т.п.

5. Наряду с незаконным перемещением наркотиков, оружия и других продуктов, возрастает незаконный вывоз за рубеж предметов, представляющих историческую, художественную и иную ценность.

6. Проводя допрос таможенного работника, обнаружившего контрабандный груз, следователь выясняет обстоятельства обнаружения контрабанды, характер поведения грузополучателя и т.п.

7. После обнаружения наркотиков в контейнерах, следующих через территорию страны, таможенная служба РФ организовывала и проводила контролируемые поставки.

8. Помимо создания банка данных для нужд подразделений, занимающихся борьбой с контрабандой, была начата разработка современных средств таможенного контроля.

9. Только пресечением нелегального транзита наркотиков на российской территории, трудно добиться полного успеха в борьбе с наркотиками.

10. Граждане Нигерии перевозили кокаин контрабандным путем, используя для сокрытия личные вещи: подошвы пляжных тапочек, двойные стенки и днища сумок и чемоданов.