7

The gerund as an adverbial modifier

The gerund can perform the function of the following adverbial modifiers:

1. the adverbial modifier of time

2. the adverbial modifier of manner and attendant circumstances

3. the adverbial modifier of concession

4. the adverbial modifier of comparison

5. the adverbial modifier of cause/reason

6. the adverbial modifier of condition

7. the adverbial modifier of exception

8. the adverbial modifier of purpose

1. Adverbial Modifier of Time

Characteristic Features	Question	Used with:
Its meaning is very close to Participle I and they are very often interchangeable.	when?	Prepositions: on / upon (old-fashioned) at in after since before

Examples:

• On / upon returning to his hotel, he found a note waiting for him. – Вернувшись (по возвращении) в гостиницу, он обнаружил ожидавшую его записку. / Повернувшись (після повернення) додому до готелю, він знайшов записку, що очікувала на нього.

• At hearing his footsteps Claire turned her head. – Услышав его шаги, Клэр повернула голову. / Почувши його кроки, Клер повернула голову.

• In leaving the room he paused at my table. = Выходя из комнаты, он остановился возле моего стола. / Виходячи з кімнати, він зупинився біля мого стола.

• After quitting my job, I did a lot of thinking. = После того, как я ушел с работы, я много думал. / Після того, як я пішов з роботи, я багато думав.

• Since quitting my job, I have done a lot of thinking. – С того момента, как я ушел с работы, я много думал. / З того моменту, як я пішов з роботи, я багато думав.

• Before quitting my job, I had done a lot of thinking. – Перед тем, как уйти с работы, я много думал. / Перед тим, як піти з роботи, я багато думав.

Note:

In the function of the adverbial modifier of time the gerund completes with participle I. The gerund is recognized by the preceding preposition, compare:

• On hearing the story George smiled. (gerund) = Услышав эту историю, Джордж улыбнулся. / Почувши цю історію, Джордж посміхнувся.

• (While) hearing Dad’s voice, the girls were not afraid to stay in the dark. (participle) = Пока они слышали папин голос, девочки не боялись быть в темноте.

TASK 29. Sort out gerunds and participles I in the function of the adverbial modifier of time.

1. Reaching the door, Aileen knocked softly.

2. After reaching the second landing, Dr. Livesey heard quite breathing on his left.

3. Sensing trouble, Jack ran away.

4. On eating his fill, Robert rose to get a drink.

5. After leaving her umbrella in the hall, Mary entered the living room.

6. Having returned to the farm, Alan felt much better.

7. Before going back to the bank, James checked his calculations once again.

8. Before arriving to London, Mr Brundle started his enquiries.

9. In getting dressed, Linda changed many times.

10. Waking up in the barn, Ronald was trying to remember his getting there.

11. Upon waking, Gulliver found himself much refreshed.

12. Hearing something ominous, Bond turned around.

13. At hearing Mom’s footsteps, Cathy hid herself.

14. Mr. Weasely’s conduct, on being left to himself, was rather unexpected.

15. Upon receiving his remuneration, the unpleasant character left.

16. Another waitress was smiling, while serving breakfast.

17. Since learning his ABC, Mark hasn’t read much.

18. In truth Miss Bennet was waiting for her breakfast, while reading about birds.

19. Having done the dishes, Cinderella started sweeping.

20. We have spent all our money before arriving to London.