Герундий и отглагольное существительное

Герундий и отглагольное существительное имеют следующие черты, которые позволяют различать их.

Свойства герундия, отличающие его от отглагольного существительного

- Герундий имеет временные и залоговые формы:

He enjoyed being read to. – Ему нравилось, когда ему читают.

She denied having read the letter. – Он отрицал, что прочитал письмо.

- Герундий может иметь прямое дополнение:

It’s no use reading this article now. – Бесполезно читать эту статью сейчас.

- Герундий может употребляться с наречием:

He is used to getting up early. – Он привык рано вставать.

- Герундий может быть частью составного глагольного сказуемого:

He stopped coming here long ago. – Он уже очень давно перестал приходить сюда.

- Существительное с предлогом, употребляемое после герундия, и синтаксически с ним связанное, является предложным дополнением:

He regretted talking about the scandal in public. – Он сожалел о том, что говорил о скандале при людях.

Свойства отглагольного существительного

- Отглагольное существительное может употребляться с артиклем:

The cash-for-pardon scandal had been a distant rumbling until Sandberg opened the door. (J. Grisham) – Скандал, вызванный оплаченным помилованием, гремел где-то далеко, пока Сандберг не открыл дверь.

- Отглагольное существительное может иметь форму множественного числа:

The readings start in an hour. – Чтения начнутся через час.

- Отглагольное существительное может употребляться с прилагательным в качестве определения:

His unexpected comings and leavings irritated everybody. – Он раздражал всех тем, что приходил и уходил неожиданно.

- Существительное с предлогом, употребляемое после отглагольного существительного, и синтаксически с ним связанное, является его определением:

There was no resignation, no “reaching of mutual understanding.”

(J. Grisham) – Не было никакой отставки, никакого «достижения взаимопонимания».

Если есть отглагольное существительное, сходное с герундием по значению, предпочтение обычно отдается существительному:

His refusal surprised everybody.

Однако не забывайте, что между герундием и существительным может быть смысловая разница. Сравните следующие предложения с герундиями и отглагольными существительными:

Every beginning is difficult. – Любое начало трудное.

Before beginning this task, think it over. – Прежде чем начинать это задание, обдумайте его.

The banging of the doors in the house kept her awake. – Хлопанье дверей в доме не давало ей уснуть.

Can you avoid banging these doors every time you leave the room? – Не могли бы вы не хлопать дверями каждый раз, когда вы выходите из комнаты?

The discussion seemed pointless. – Дискуссия казалась бессмысленной.

Your habit of discussing other people’s affairs may ruin friendships. – Твоя привычка обсуждать дела других людей, может разрушить дружеские отношения.

We should respect other people’s feelings. – Мы должны уважать чувства других людей.

Jane didn’t remember ever feeling unhappy or lonely. – Джейн не помнила, чтобы она когда-нибудь чувствовала себя несчастной или одинокой.

Your translation is really good. – Твой перевод очень хороший.

There are two ways of translating this construction. – Эту конструкцию можно перевести двумя способами.

EXERCISES

Ex. 1 Use the proper form of the Gerund of the verb in brackets:

1. Did you succeed in __________ her? (persuade)

2. My little sister often complains about my _____________ her. (bother)

3. I don’t think he’s pleased about __________ his dictionary in your room. (find)

4. I want to congratulate you on __________ so soon. (promote)

5. She seems to be fond of ____________ care of. (take)

6. It was no use ______________ to the station – we were already late. (hurry)

7. In addition to _________ an engineer he decided to study economics. (be)

8. Your car is so dirty – it surely needs ____________. (wash)

9. He doesn’t seem to remember ___________ your letter. (receive)

10. After ___________ once I am not going to trust this person again. (deceive)

11. I wonder why you objected to their _____________ us. (join)

12. I would like you to avoid ________ fun of him in my presence. (make)

13. Thank you for __________ me know about this incident. (let)

14. After ___________ (hear) her son’s voice outside the house she stopped ___________.(worry).

15. I really regret ___________ with your plans. (interfere)

16. He persisted in ________________ (do) it his way in spite of our _____________ him to do it differently (ask).

17. She didn’t want to explain and give her reasons, and was annoyed at his __________ (be) so persistent.

18. He bitterly regretted _________ (lose) the opportunity of _________ (see) this breathtaking panorama.

Ex. 2 Write the proper preposition used after the following verbs to introduce a gerund:

1. Suspect (sb) ____ 2. depend ____ 3. save ____ 4. Insist ____ 5. join ____ 6. admit ____ 7. stop short ____ 8. forgive smb ____ 9. keep ____ 10. put _____ 11. apologize _____ 12. decide _____ 13. prevent smb _____ 14. accuse (sb) _____ 15. blame (sb) _____ 16. warn (sb) _____ 17. burst _____ 18. rely _____ 19. stop (sb) _____ 20. count _____ 21. approve _____ 22. boast _____ 23. succeed _____ 24. thank (sb) _____ 25. object _____ 26. talk _____ 27. complain _____ 28. persist _____ 29. give _____ 30. agree _____ 31. care _____ 32. look forward _____ 33. result _____.

Ex. 3 Write the proper preposition after the following phrases to introduce a gerund:

1. be aware _____ 2. be annoyed _____ 3. be afraid _____ 4. be ashamed _____ 5. be used _____ 6. be capable_____ 7. be certain _____ 8. be clever _____ 9. be fond _____ 10. be grateful _____ 11. be guilty _____ 12. be ignorant _____ 13. be indignant _____ 14. be interested _____ 15. be involved _____ 16. be proud _____ 17. be responsible _____ 18. be sure _____ 19. be surprised _____ 20. be tired _____.

Ex. 4 Fill in the blanks with prepositions:

1. He seems to be angry with you _____ being misinformed.

2. Can you try to talk her _____ joining us? We’ll need her there.

3. The Committee decided _____ spending money on this enterprise.

4. We were all _____ sharing our plans with anybody.

5. I planned to go to the exhibition on Sunday but my friends talked me _____ doing it and we went to the country.

6. She is annoyed _____ having to do it all over again.

7. Are you angry _____ my interfering?

8. You will soon get bored _____ sticking stamps and writing addresses.

9. If I were you I wouldn’t get so excited _____ his inviting you to the party.

10. I am fed _____ with your sitting here doing nothing.

11. She seems to be very good _____ solving crossword puzzles.

12. Do you know who is guilty _____ letting the secret out.

13. Thank you, we are very pleased _____ your remembering to inform us.

14. I don’t think he is capable _____ doing harm to anybody.

15. This boy is really fond _____ being naughty.

16. My is sister is keen _____ dancing.

17. I am really tired _____ having to remind you about your homework.

18. She is not afraid _____ being misunderstood.

19. He has worked with this company __________ graduating from Oxford.

20. _____________ being a writer he is known as a good actor.

Ex. 5 Choose the proper syntactic function of the Gerund (subject, object, predicative, attribute):

From J.K. Jerome, Three men in a boat, Moscow higher school 1976

1. I rather pride myself on my packing.

a) subject b) object c) predicative d) attribute

2. Packing is one of those many things that I feel I know more about than any other person living.

a) subject b) object c) predicative d) attribute

3. Harris said that he couldn’t help feeling, that, to a certain extent, he had become unpopular.

a) subject b) object c) predicative d) attribute

4. There we discussed the important question of camping.

a) subject b) object c) predicative d) attribute

5. So he gave up trying to get breakfast, and wrapped himself up in his overcoat, and sat in the easy-chair till Mrs. G. came down at half past seven.

a) subject b) object c) predicative d) attribute

6. I said it was the sort of thing I had often longed for myself; and we discussed the possibility of our going away, we four, to some handy, well-fitted desert island, and living there in the woods.

a) subject b) object c) predicative d) attribute

7. As there was no earthly necessity for our getting up under another two hours at the very least, and our getting up at that time was an utter absurdity, it was only in keeping with the natural cussedness (упрямство) of things in general that we should both feel that lying down for five minutes more would be death to us.

a) subject b) object c) predicative d) attribute

a) subject b) object c) predicative d) attribute

a) subject b) object c) predicative d) attribute

8. I was sitting on the bank conjuring up this scene to myself when George remarked that when I was quite rested, perhaps I would not mind helping to wash up, and, thus recalled from the days of the glorious past to the prosaic present, with all its misery and sin, I slid down into the boat and cleaned out the frying-pan with a stick of wood and a tuft of grass, polishing it up finally with Georges wet shirt.

a) subject b) object c) predicative d) attribute

9. Certainly, had I been one of the Barons, at the time, I should have strongly urged upon my comrades the advisability of our getting such a slippery customer as King John on to the island, where there was less chance of surprises and tricks.

a) subject b) object c) predicative d) attribute

10. ...and Harris said, “Oh, yes,” it would be all right, and we needn’t look at the man with the red hair; besides, the poor fellow couldn’t help having red hair.

a) subject b) object c) predicative d) attribute

Ex. 6 Choose the proper syntactic function of the Gerund (object or attribute):

From J.K. Jerome, Three men in a boat, Moscow higher school 1976

1. How many people, on that voyage, load up the boat till it is ever in danger of swamping with a store of foolish things which they think essential to the pleasure and comfort of the trip, but which are really only useless lumber.

a) object b) attribute

2. People who had given up all hopes of ever getting either in or out, or of ever seeing their homes and friends again, plucked up courage, at the sight of Harris and his party, and joined the procession, blessing him.

a) objects b) attributes

3. The lock-keeper rushed out with a drag (трал, бредень), under the impression that somebody had fallen into the lock, and appeared annoyed at finding that no one had.

a) object b) attribute

4. Harris said that if it was a duty it ought to be done, and asked the man what was his idea with regard to the best means for accomplishing it.

a) object b) attribute

5. I shall never forget the picture of those two men walking up and down the bank with a tow-line looking for their boat.

a) object b) attribute

6. ... but by some mysterious process or other he succeeded, after ten minutes of superhuman effort, in getting himself completely rolled up in it.

a) object b) attribute

7. ...when George drew out a tin of pine-apple from the bottom of the hamper, and rolled it into the middle of the boat, we felt that life was worth living after all.

a) object b) attribute

8. Our jar was empty, and it was a case of going without our tea or taking water from the river. Harris was for chancing it.

a) object b) attribute

9. At the first glimpse of every stem-launch that came in view, they insisted on landing and sitting down on the bank until it was out of sight again.

a) object b) attribute

10. Fancy giving up all that for five shillings! It’s not worth it.

a) object b) attribute

Ex. 7 Choose the proper syntactic function of the Gerund: predicative, object, a part of a compound verbal aspect predicate:

From J.K. Jerome, Three men in a boat, Moscow higher school 1976

1. We can’t steer, if you keep stopping.

2. You must keep the boat moving.

3. I remember being terribly upset once up the river (in a figurative sense, I mean).

4. ...and, perhaps, if any tombs are worth inspecting, they are the tombs and monuments at Bisham Church.

5. She said it had not been like washing, it had been more in the nature of excavating.

6. And Harris, instead of merely observing, in his most unpleasant tones, that a fellow could hardly help treading on some bit of George’s foot, if he had to move about at all within ten yards of where George was sitting, suggesting that George never ought to come into an ordinary sized boat with feet that length, and advising him to hang them over the side, as he would have done before supper, now said: “Oh, I’m so sorry, old chap; I hope I haven’t hurt you.”

7. He was in a morbidly nervous state by this time and he pictured the trial, and his trying to explain the circumstances to the jury, and nobody believing him, and his being sentenced to twenty years’ penal servitude, and his mother dying of a broken heart.

8. Edward the Confessor had a palace here, and here the great Earl Godwin was proved guilty by the justice of that age of having encompassed the death of the King’s brother.

9. Hector – I think that was his name – went on pulling while I unrolled the sail.

10. “Don’t you mind speaking, if you really want anything, you know.”

Ex. 8 Choose the proper form of gerund or infinitive of the verb in brackets:

1. We are already used to __________ (get) information on Internet.

2. When he was young he used to __________ (listen) to the news on the radio but now he is used to __________ (watch) them on TV.

3. Would you stop __________ (have) a look at my project, please? I need your advice.

4. Will you stop __________(make) this awful noise? I can’t concentrate on my work.

5. At 15 he began __________ (understand) how to get what he wanted.

6. If you are done with dusting, go on __________ (wash) the dishes.

7. Go on __________ (read) the article until you find the answer.

8. The speaker finished __________ (answer) the questions and left the room.

9. The tourists kept on __________ (walk) though they were not sure where they were going to.

10. When he came __________ (know) all the details it was too late to change anything.

11. Jessie used to __________ (get) up rather early as she liked __________ (revise) her tasks before classes.

12. We really look forward to her __________ (publish) another book.

Ex. 9 Choose the proper form of gerund or infinitive:

1. Do you remember __________ this picture in some magazine?

a) seeing b) having seen c) to have seen

2. Don’t worry. I won’t forget __________ you as soon as I arrive at the hotel.

a) calling b) to call c) to have called

3. As long as he lives he will remember __________ the job he was so eager to get.

a) having been refused b) being refused c) to have been refused

4. Jane forgot __________ to us and started to tell her story again.

a) having talked b) to talk c) talking

5. I’m sorry I didn’t remember __________ the papers I had promised to.

a) to have printed b) to print c) printing

6. I regret __________ her about those sad events; she looks so upset now.

a) reminding b) having reminded c) to have reminded

7. I am sorry for __________ your telephone number to him.

a) having given b) giving c) to have given

8. I am sorry __________ you, but I must make an announcement.

a) interrupting b) having interrupted c) to interrupt

9. I regret __________ your feelings but I really have no choice.

a) hurting b) to hurt c) to have hurt

10. She is so hard-working. She deserves __________ success.

a) achieving b) to achieve c) to have achieved

11. This plan needs __________ in detail once more.

a) to be discussed b) discussing c) being discussed

12. I’d rather prefer __________ at home and watching some old movie.

a) staying b) to stay c) being stayed

13. This house requires __________ all over.

a) painting b) being painted c) to be painted

14. I think your English wants __________ up before you go to England.

a) being brushed b) to brush c) brushing

15. We look forward to __________ (join) you on holiday.

a) joining b) join c) having joined

Ex. 10 Choose the proper form of gerund or infinitive:

1. I do remember_________ to the Crimea when I was only 4 years old.

a. to go b. going c. having gone

2. Every boy wants _________ a cosmonaut at the age of 7.

a. becoming b. become c. to become

3. Though she denied _________ him secretly, nobody believed her.

a. to date b. dating c. to be dating

4. I’m trying_______ them to join us.

a. persuade b. persuading c. to persuade

5. Mike could not forget ________her cry over this letter.

a. to hear b. hearing c. having heard

6. He promised not________ to buy flowers on his way to the airport.

a. forgetting b. to forget c. to have forgotten

7. Roger is not in his office. Try __________ his mobile.

a. calling b. to call c. call

8. Please remember _________ hello to your aunt when she arrives.

a. say b. to say c. saying

9. You, stupid, how can you have forgotten _________ Stephen?

a. inviting b. invite c. to invite

10. Val was trying _________to Mum what had happened, but she wouldn’t listen.

a. to explain b. explaining c. explain

Ex. 11 Translate the following sentences into English using gerunds:

1. Избегайте говорить о таких вещах. 2. Она не смогла не рассмеяться. 3. Не жалуйтесь на то, что вас наказали, вы сами виноваты. 4. Он прекратил приглашать ее, так как она не принимала его приглашений. 5. Она извинилась за опоздание. 6. Она сожалеет, что опоздала. 7. Не откладывайте выполнение этой работы. 8. Вам придется признать, что вы были не правы. 9. Мы возражаем против того, чтобы сообщить ему эти факты. 10. Мы решили не поддерживать их. 11. Даже не говорите о том, чтобы остановить их. 12. Они сумели отговорить нас от участия в поездки. 13. Она не способна обмануть. 14. Мы привыкли работать допоздна. 15. Она отрицала, что знает этого человека. 16. Я подозреваю его в том, что он обманул нас. 17. Мы не могли не восхищаться этой удивительной картиной.

Ex. 12 Translate the following sentences into English using gerundial complexes where possible:

1. Она не может позволить, чтобы вы попусту тратили время. 2. Эта коллекция стоит того, чтобы вы ее посмотрели. 3. Все с нетерпением ждали, когда он приедет. 4. Мы с нетерпением ожидали, чтобы нам рассказали новости. 5. Никто не одобрит, если вы будете пропускать занятия. 6. Он настаивает на том, чтобы вы оставили его в покое. 7. Он настаивает на том, чтобы его оставили в покое. 8. Я надеюсь, вы не возражаете, если мы подождем их здесь. 9. Терпеть не могу, когда вы так себя ведете. 10. Представьте, она приняла его за первокурсника. 11. Вы не можете помешать ему делать то, что он хочет. 12. Мы извинили ее за опоздание. 13. Ее подозревают в нарушении правил. 14. Я подозреваю, что она ничего не знает. 15. Она осознавала, что что-то идет не так. 16. Мы предостерегли его, чтобы он не рассчитывал на их помощь. 17. Кто виноват в том, что вы ничего не знаете? 18. Мне очень приятно, что вы пригласили меня. 19. Я не помню, чтобы вы раньше говорили об этом. 20. Я настаиваю на том, чтобы вы рассказали все подробно.

Ex. 13 Translate the following sentences into English using the proper prepositions:

1. Его обвиняют в сокрытии правды. 2. Вы обязательно преуспеете в достижении своей цели. 3. Несмотря на то, что она заблудилась, она не испытывала страха. 4. Он не одобряет, что она занимается по ночам. 5. Вы не против, пропустить ее первой? 6. Мы возражаем против того, чтобы вы вмешивались. 7. После того, как он рассказал обо всех трудностях, все молчали. 8. Она ничего не сможет сделать, если вы не поддержите ее. 9. Они не могли не рассмеяться при виде детей, бегающих по лужайке. 10. Прежде чем писать об этом событии, он решил взять несколько интервью. 11. Несмотря на то, что мы устали, мы продолжали работать. 12. Несмотря на то, что она была голодна, она отказалась от обеда. 13. После ухода из офиса, он зашел в кафе пообедать. 14. Он не только хороший певец, но и отличный актер. 15.Они провели много времени, осматривая шедевры архитектуры 18-го века.

Ex. 14 Translate the following sentences into English using gerunds and infinitives:

1. Я не могу позволить себе пропускать занятия сейчас. 2. Я не могу позволить, чтобы вы тратили столько времени попусту. 3. Я не забуду позвонить вам. 4. Я отлично помню, как они пришли сюда впервые. 5. Они перестали спорить и удивленно посмотрели друг на друга. 6. Он остановился, чтобы еще раз взглянуть на озеро. 7. Для меня большое удовольствие видеть вас. 8. Он хотел избавиться от этого нудного человека как можно скорее. 9. Он ждал, чтобы мы пришли и помогли ему. 10. Она уже не помнит, как обещала помочь вам. 11. Она не вспомнит /забудет купить хлеба. 12. Она сожалела, что приняла их приглашение. 13. Комнату убирать не нужно, она чистая. 14. Можете не убирать комнату сейчас. 15. Я бы хотела присоединиться к вам, но у меня другие планы. 16. Они привыкли проводить каникулы за городом. 17. Они бывало каждое лето уезжали из города. 18. Он прислал письмо, чтобы сообщить нам о своем приезде. 19. Мы были не в состоянии, что-либо видеть. 20. Она не в состоянии причинить человеку боль.

TEST

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