Gerundial Complexes

Exercise 416. Paraphrase the sentences using Gerundial Complexes.

Pattern A: Do you mind if I close the window?

Do you mind my closing the window?

1. The doctor insisted that I should stay at home. 2. There is no chance that they will call on us tonight. 3. There is no possibility that we shall see him this week. 4. We insisted that he should come with us. 5. I have heard that your son has been awarded the Order. 6. Will you object if I smoke here? 7. You will excuse me if I ask you again. 8. There is no hope that you will receive a letter from him soon. 9. There is no fear that I shall forget. 10. You will excuse me if I ask you again.

Pattern B: I want her to recite this poem.

I insist on her reciting this poem.

I don’t want him to be sent here.

I object to his being sent there.

1. They wanted me to take part in the competition. 2. I don’t want Jane to stay here alone. 3. I don’t want him to be elected chairman. 4. Mother did not want Mary to go to the cinema. 5. The teacher wanted the students to do this exercise. 6. I want her to be sent to the conference.

Exercise 417. Complete the sentences using the gerundial complex. Add the preposition where necessary.

1. John’s children are not likely to pass the entrance exams with flying colours. The father cannot count … 2. Why do you pretend to be eating? I’m not going to put up… 3. Personal matters are often discussed in public. I strongly object … 4. I prefer my children to take independent decisions. I hate … 5. The guards were watching every step of yours! How did you manage to get out … ? 6. She can hold her tongue. There’s no danger … 7. Bob appeared here all of a sudden! Just fancy… 8. The twins should be vaccinated this year but their parents are against … 9. I have nothing to do with him as he has broken our engagement. After … 10. Why are you always pushing me into doing things? I can’t stand …

Exercise 418. Replace the Gerund by a Gerundial Complex by adding subject to it.

Model: I’m against writing this review.

I’m against your writing this review.

1. I fail to see the point of raising the question now. 2. She simply can’t help laughing at you. 3. We did not mind waiting a little. 4. It’s no good trying to make her change her mind. 5. I’ll take the opportunity of being here to ask you some questions. 6. I’m used to coming home very late. 7. He succeeded only through making the right contacts from the very beginning. 8. Everything depends on getting there in time.

Exercise 419. Replace the Subordinate Clauses by Gerundial Complexes:

1. When I received the telegram, I started home at once. 2. While he was copying the text, he made a few mistakes. 3. You may avoid many mistakes if you observe these rules. 4. You can improve your knowledge of English if you read more. 5. When she left school, she got a job at the post-office. 6. When he entered the room, he greeted everybody. 7. After he had packed all the things he phoned for a taxi. 8. I don’t remember that I have ever come across his name before. 9. She hesitated before she entered the room. 10. When I was passing their house, I noticed that all the windows were dark.

Exercise 420. Replace the subordinate clauses by gerundial complexes using the prepositions given in the brackets.

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 on a trip. 3. There is a possibility that my father will join us for the trip, (of) 4. The girls knew that the sportsman had been awarded a prize, (of) 5. I don't mind if you walk to the underground station with me. 6. When they entered the house, they heard the last bell ringing, (on) 7. Thank you that you invited me to the theatre, (for) 8. The woman insisted that her husband should consult the doctor at once, (on) 9. She could not even think that the operation might be postponed, (of) 10. There was little hope that James would return on the same day. (of) 11. The thought that he had been turned away by the doorkeeper made him feel miserable, (of)

Exercise 421. Replace the parts of the sentences by gerundial complexes using the prepositions given in the brackets.

1. When the boy entered the room, he glanced curiously around, (on) 2. The patient felt much better after he had been given proper treatment. 3. Just before I left the classroom, I was approached by a fellow-student who asked me to help him. 4. Looking at the man attentively, she remembered that she had seen him and spoken to him on several occasions. 5. That nobody saw them was a mere chance. 6. The mother insisted that her son should enter the university, (on) 7. The place looked so picturesque and cheerful that he rejoiced at the thought that he would come to live there, (of) 8. When he entered, she stood up and left the room, and even did not look at him. (without) 9. When Robert came home from the college, after he had passed his examinations, he felt very happy, (on) 10. In the darkness they were afraid that they might lose their way. (of) 11. When he reached his destination, he sent a telegram home to say that he had arrived safely, (on) 12. Thank you that you helped me. (for) 13. The new medicine may be recommended only after it is approved by the Scientific Board. 14. You will never learn your mistakes if you do not write them out. (without)

Exercise 422. Replace the parts of the sentences by gerundial complexes using the prepositions given in the brackets.

1. I am told that you are very busy. 2. Do you mind if I smoke here? 3. Will you object if I close the door? 4. Thank you that you did it. 5. My teacher insists that I should read aloud every day. 6. Will Mary have anything against it if I take her umbrella for some time? 7. I remember that I have seen this picture somewhere. 8. That you are against John's proposal does not mean that I must decline it. 9. The fact that you took English lessons some years ago helps you in your studies now.

Exercise 423. Replace the parts of the sentences by gerundial complexes using the prepositions given in the brackets.

1. When the young man graduated from Harvard, he returned to Russia. 2. They gave up the idea that they would find work. 3. The girls were afraid that they might miss the train. 4. Mary asked John to forgive her that she had not answered his letter sooner. 5. After we had passed our examinations, we had a very entertaining evening. 6. Michael remembered that he had enjoyed the trip to the Bahamas. 7. I am thankful that I have been given a chance to hear this outstanding singer. 8. Helen insisted that she should be given that job. 9. I don't remember that I have ever seen anyone dance like Plisetskaya. 10. Tom was afraid that he might be late. 11. Bill remembered that he had walked about the factory gate for months.

Exercise 424. Translate into English:

1. Ви не будете заперечувати, якщо я приєднаюся до вашої ком­панії? 2. Я не заперечую проти того, щоб вони приїхали сюди. 3. Мене дивує, що ви так часто запізнюєтеся. 4. Вона з нетерпінням чекає, коли її запросять на вечірку. 5. Те, що вона зайнята, не завадило їй взяти участь у цій роботі. 6. Пробачте, що я турбую вас знову. Пробачте, що я потурбував вас. 7. Усе залежить від того, чи погода буде гарною. 8. Мама наполягала на тому, щоб діти лягали спати вчасно. 9. Ми сподівалися, що він справляє на всіх добре враження. 10. Нас повідомили, що всі студенти нашої групи взяли участь у цій роботі. 11. Цей фільм варто подивитися. 12. Отримавши телеграму, я поїхав на вокзал. 13. Ви проти того, щоб він брав участь у змаганнях? 14. Я чув, що вони вже закін­чили свій експеримент.