The prepositional object

As the prepositional object the gerund may follow a) verbs, b) adjectives and statives, c) participle II.

a) verbs

I	II	III	IV	V
1	agree object look forward take (пристраститься к)		to	your our going there his Mary’s
We	hear learn think dream suspect accuse	him him	of of	consulting him. doing something wrong.
All It	persist succeed consist(s) assist(s) help(s) result(s)		in	doing it.
We	depend rely count insist congratulate	you	on
I’ll	prevent stop discourage	them him her	from	taking part in it.
	warn		against
	decide (...не)
I	thank blame praise punish reproach	you you her him them	for	doing it.
	feel		like

b) adjectives and statives

1	II	III	IV
I’m	afraid
	aware/unaware
	conscious/unconscious		being hurt.
	capable fond	of	doing it.
	ignorant		your being there.
	proud
	sick
	sure
He is We’re	clever/good/bad	at	doing crossword puzzles.
	responsible	for	his coming.
	sorry	about
	keen	on

The stative afraid can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive with a difference in meaning.

be afraid + a gerund = not to want to do something for some reason	be afraid + an infinitive = dare not do something
I’m afraid of making her angry. (= I don’t want to do this because I think it will make her angry.) Я боюсь, что это может рассердить ее. 1 can’t play the piano now as I’m afraid of disturbing him. (= I don’t want to play as the noise might disturb him.) Я не могу играть сейчас на рояле, т. к. боюсь ему помешать.	I’m afraid to make her angry. (= I daren’t make her angry.) Я не смею сердить ее. I’m afraid to disturb him at this late hour. (= I daren’t disturb him.) Я не смею мешать ему так поздно.

c) participle II

I	II	III	IV
I’m	annoyed pleased displeased	with/at	the teacher asking me so often. doing it.
	surprised disappointed	at
	accustomed used	to
	excited	about
	absorbed engrossed engaged interested	in
	tired scared	of
	bored	with

Exercise 69. Insert prepositions where necessary.

1. He is fond ... listening to music. 2. Thank you ... taking me sightseeing. 3. I’ll never agree ... changing my plan. 4. He always succeeds ... proving his point of view. 5. They insisted ... my taking part in the business. 6. He was pleased ... meeting you. 7. Will you excuse me ... being late? 8. What prevented him ... taking this rush order? 9. He thinks ... changing his job. 10. He likes ... helping people. 11. George resents ... being criticized. 12. Could you forgive me ... not answering your letter? 13. We suggest ... leaving at once. 14. John has taken ... drinking. 15. Do you feel ... visiting your friend? 16. George is looking forward ... seeing you. 17. Why are you disappointed ... her entering the college? 18. He is always displeased ... being disturbed. 19. Is he accustomed ... working hard? 20. I’m scared ... going through the wood at night. 21. Is the film worth ... seeing? 22. Please excuse ... my interrupting you. 23. I won’t risk ... losing such an interesting job.

Exercise 70. Complete the sentences. Use the proper preposition and the proper form of the gerund of the verbs given in parenthesis.

MODEL: Excuse me ... (to be late). Excuse me for being late.

1. He thinks ... (to go on a trip to London). 2. I thanked him ... (to visit the sick man). 3. She is used ... (to ask about her famous father). 4. He succeeded ... (to start a new business). 5. Are you afraid ... (to be late)? 6. you a lie). 8. George is pleased ... (to win the race). 9. Who is fond ... (to write letters)? 10. He will never agree ... (to leave his post). 11. Does James insist ... (to be present at the conference)? 12. Are you angry ... (not to be invited to the party)? 13. I am tired ... (to repeat the same thing to you). 14. We do not object ... (to take him with us). 15. What prevented you ... (to come here)?

Exercise 71. Use the proper preposition and the proper form of the gerund.

A: 1. The complicated rules will discourage people (to play) the game. 2. I don’t approve (to smoke). 3. I believe (to discuss) things openly. 4. I don’t feel (to cook) tonight. 5. Unfortunately Sean insisted (to speak) only about himself during the whole evening. 6. If you don’t book in advance, you can’t rely (to find) a hotel room. 7. People objected (to have to wait) so long. 8.I’m thinking (to go) to some sea-resort in summer. 9. She succeeded (to get) the visa to the US. 10. They’re talking (to build) a new sports center. 11. The tourists complained (not to get) any sleep. 12. He accused his enemies (to invent) stories about him. 13. I don’t blame you (to think) about your own safety. 14. We congratulate you (to complete) your work. 15. The firemen prevented the fire (to spread). 16. I apologized (not to answer) the letter. 17. I don’t believe (to work) too hard. 18. He accused me (to tell) lies. 19. I’m looking forward (to see) you soon.

В: 1. Debbie is really Excited (to go) abroad for the first time. 2. People were annoyed (not to see) everything properly. 3. I’m bored (to wait) here doing nothing. 4. Is this bus capable (to take) us all the way to Paris? 5. Ted is fond (to fish). 6. Andrew is very fond (to tell) jokes. 7. The man was found guilty (to steal) bicycles. 8. We are interested (to start) a discussion group. 9. Sophie is very keen (to go) to art college. 10. I’m pleased (to go) for a fitting tomorrow. 11. I found him absorbed (to watch) a new video film. 12. The man was disappointed (not to admit) to the meeting. 13. I was greatly surprised (to see) Alan at the party. 14. Are you scared (to walk) alone through the dark streets at night? 15. Can we meet tonight or will you be again engaged (to complete) your work?

Exercise 72. Respond to the following why-questions beginning with Because. Use a gerund, a gerundial phrase or a construction as prepositional object.

MODEL: Why aren’t you joining the discussion club? (be keen on, discuss) Because I’m not keen on discussing anything.

1. Why don’t you ask George to help you pack? (not rely on, pack) 2. Why did you decline their invitation? (my husband, object to, visit them) 3. Why is Alan so happy? (succeed in, finish the Experiment) 4. Why didn’t you go to London? (John, insist on, be sent instead) 5. Why do you think James has bad manners? (not stop oneself from, interrupt everybody) 6. Why don’t you let the children take part in your dinner parties? (disapprove of, children take part in the grown-ups’ talk) 7. What’s wrong? Why is Jane so upset? (be displeased at, I, go abroad alone) 8. Why is Meg so cross? (suspect me of, tell her lies) 9. Why is Mum scolding you? (accuse of, I, leave the light on) 10. Why is Mike leaving the job? (complain about, be underpaid) 11. Why have you changed the doctor? (not agree to give the medicine free) 12. Why isn’t Elise coming with us? (not feel like, go out today) 13. Why didn’t you ask James to help you? (be afraid of, ask) 14. Why haven’t you ordered a taxi? (not count on, it come on time) 15. Why are you so Excited? (look forward to, the bride, arrive) 16. Why didn’t you take part in the game? (the coach, discourage me from, play) 17. Isn’t it time you had your flat repaired? Why don’t you start? (be afraid of, turn everything upside down)

Exercise 73. Make up a simple sentence. Use a gerund or a gerundial phrase.

MODEL: She couldn’t help it, she made business of everything. – She couldn’t help making business of everything.

1. They accused their friend of the fact that he was not a man of his word. 2. I suspected that she was making things hot for her enemies. 3. We insisted that she should reject your terms. 4. I’m looking forward to the day when you’re in the mood of playing music for me. 5. He succeeded and made his fortune out of some canal business. 6. I rely on the hope that you will do me justice. 7. She felt in the mood to talk business (feel like). 8. We were disappointed that the picture had no great value. 9. She dreamed that sooner or later they would come to an amicable agreement. 10. She complained that they were not strong enough to endure such trials (испытания). 11. He objected to the fact that Mrs. Broad should stay in the house any longer. 12. She wasn’t aware that you had accepted our terms. 13. They were guilty that they had not enquired into the matter. 14. They were indignant that you were not calling things their proper names.

Exercise 74. Combine each pair of sentences into one. Use a gerund with the proper preposition.

MODEL: The firemen stopped the fire. It didn’t spread. The firemen stopped the fire from spreading.

1. My friend apologized. He broke my cassette-player. 2. The surgeon succeeded. He transplanted the kidney and saved the patient’s life. 3. Jane congratulated Ted. He got a Ph.D. in Medicine. 4. The customer complained. He was given a bad umbrella. 5. The police prevented the crime. It didn’t take place. 6. She is very fat and the doctors do not approve of it. They think she shouldn’t eat so much. 7. Higher prices will discourage people. They won’t buy things. 8. The police should punish the driver. He broke the speed limit. 9. People blamed the driver. He didn’t stop at the crossroads. 10. The workers have accused the management. They say the management is doing nothing to change the dramatic situation. 11. He blames me. He says I think only about myself. 12. I thanked him. He told me the news.

Exercise 75. What can you say about the following types of people?

MODEL: A ballet dancer is afraid of gaining weight, is proud of having many curtain calls, is fond of being given a lot of flowers, may not always be sure of being good at pirouettes, may complain of being tired, but on the whole is pleased at practising as much as possible.

Speak about: an actress; an artist; a driver; a scientist; a teacher; a ballet dancer; a singer; a young lover; a chemist; a doctor; a footballer; a disc jockey; a hearty eater.

To characterize them use the following: to be fond of; to be proud of; to be sure of; to complain of; to be afraid of; to be pleased at; to succeed in; to be tired of; to be interested in, etc.

Exercise 76. Give answers to the following questions. Use a gerundial construction as prepositional object. Note that the subject should not coincide with the nominal element of the construction.

MODEL: – The children watch TV every day. What does their mother object to? – She objects to the children watching TV every day.

1. Michael went back on his word. What are you surprised at? 2. She is ill. What does the doctor insist on? 3. Nick is late again. What is the teacher angry at? 4. The students were noisy at the lecture. What was the lecturer annoyed at? 5. My friend failed in the exam. What were his parents greatly displeased at? 6. I waited for him, but he never came. What was I disappointed at? 7. He always does everything well. What is his mother sure of? 8. Mary has come back. What are you pleased at? 9. Jack usually stays up late. What do his parents insist on? 10. Bob is fond of prompting at tests. What does his teacher object to? 11. We asked John to help us. What did he agree to? 12. Everybody helps Ann. What is she used to? 13. Bill has won the first prize in chess tournament. What are his friends proud of? 14. They often smoke in the office. What does their boss object to?

Exercise 77. Respond to the following questions. Give a complete answer.

MODEL 1: – Who can agree to your being sent abroad on business? – Well, of course my boss will agree to my being sent abroad on business.

– What is he blamed for? – He is blamed for insulting his teacher.

1. Who is looking forward to listening to Placido Domingo? 2. Who will object to getting a good job? 3. Who may think of joining a literary club? 4. Who counts on your always knowing right from wrong? 5. Why do you rely on the manager’s doing something for you? 6. Who congratulated you on having won the prize? 7. Why did your father prevent you from going to the disco? 8. Who praised him for helping the old woman? 9. Who blamed you for cutting classes? 10. Who punished you for smoking in public places?

MODEL 2: – Who may be aware of your being in the know of the environmental problems? – I think my boss is aware of my knowing it.

1. Who may be afraid of your being invited to see a horror film? 2. Who may be capable of letting you down? 3. Who may be fond of writing letters? 4. Who is proud of having entered the university? 5. Who is clever enough at writing a paper on art? 6. Who is responsible for the journalist having been murdered? 7. Who is sorry for having caused so much trouble? 8. Who is keen on helping you finish this work? 9. Who is ignorant of being involved in something dishonest? 10. Who is unconscious of being used by other people? 11. Who is sick of talking of the matter again and again?

MODEL 3: – Who will be disappointed at having no visitors? (a restaurant owner) – I think a restaurant owner will be disappointed at having no visitors.

– What are you displeased with? (Jack; to get bad marks) – I’m displeased with Jack getting bad marks.

1. Who will be pleased at having a lot of visitors? (a hotel keeper) 2. Who can be surprised at seeing an elephant in the street? (anyone) 3. What may a cook be accustomed to doing? (to cook lunches) 4. What is a talented actor used to? (to have curtain calls) 5. What can you be absorbed in at the lesson? (to write a test paper) 6. What are people usually pleased with? (to make a lot of friends) 7. What are most businessmen interested in? (to make a lot of money) 8. What can any businessman be scared of? (to lose his business) 9. What are you tired of? (to do the Exercise) 10. What is your friend engrossed in at the moment? (to read a new novel by John Fowles)

Exercise 78. Translate into English. Use a gerund. Note the form of the gerund. Choose the correct preposition if necessary.

А: 1. Я не против того, чтобы ты подвез меня к театру. 2. У него был такой смешной вид, что Элиза не могла не рассмеяться. 3. Она терпеть не могла, когда ей делают замечания. (to find fault with) 4. Он не мог поддерживать ее так, как ей нужно было, чтобы ее поддерживали. 5. Она скучала по тому, как Джерри подшучивал над ней, когда они гуляли по вечерам. 6. Ей не нравится говорить людям неприятные вещи. 7. Мать думала, что его примут в Университет. 8. Мне не очень хочется выходить в такую погоду. 9. Он любил читать мифы Древней Греции. 10. Я не понимаю, почему ты сердишься на меня. 11. Ей не нравилось, когда из нее делали дурочку. 12. Он избегал превышать скорость. 13. Ему была невыносима мысль о том, чтобы приехать сюда снова. 14. Джессика не могла вспомнить, когда она видела, чтобы мать плакала. 15. Я не хочу рисковать и терять свои водительские права. 16. Я знаю, что ей может придти в голову (to fancy) уехать отсюда навсегда. 17. Майкл не очень-то одобрял (to appreciate), когда с ним так обращались. 18. Представь себе, что он здесь никогда раньше не бывал. 19. Это означало, что ты не сдержала свое слово.

В: 1. Я и думать не могу о том, чтобы этот дом превратили в ужасный отель. 2. Он будет возражать против того, чтобы его сын ходил по ночным клубам. 3. Джон сказал что-то о том, что члены их семьи никогда не умирали в больнице. 4. Я не удивляюсь, что она занялась преподаванием. 5. Я говорю о том, чтобы подписать наше соглашение. 6. Она не могла помешать ему играть в такую игру. 7. Что ты знаешь о том, как заваривать чай? 8. Он посвятил себя тому, чтобы дать ей хорошее образование. 9. Вы сами настаивали на том, чтобы он приехал сюда. 10. Кристина не могла помешать Тому заниматься своим делом. 11. Мысли о прошлом ничего не могли дать. (There was nothing to be gained...) 12. Он оставил письмо, обвиняя ее в том, что она обманула его. 13. Я не думаю, что ты привык использовать силу. 14. Он не может простить ее за то, что она отказалась от нашего плана. 15. Они обвиняли (to charge) ее в том, что она нарушила их покой (to disturb one’s peace). 16. Некоторое время он не давал (to stop from) ей думать об этой трагедии. 17. Я слышал, что его использовали в этом деле. 18. Ей удалось еще больше ухудшить ситуацию (to make the situation worse). 19. Как это ты уговорил (to talk into) ее оставить семью на (for) выходные? 20. Может, он просто боится полюбить?

С: 1. Мне не интересно снова через это все проходить. 2. Я привыкла делать все для твоего отца. 3. Он очень хорошо умеет скрывать свои чувства. 4. Джек не любил (to be fond) причинять неприятности. 5. Он почувствовал, что устал от своей беспомощности. 6. Мне надоело слушать о твоем плохом настроении (low spirits). 7. Она вполне может попасть в какое-нибудь неприятное положение (to get into trouble). 8. Роберт умел (to be good at) хорошо общаться со сложными клиентами. 9. Динни не была заинтересована в продаже дома. 10. Мальчик напуган, что его обвинят в убийстве (to charge with murder). 11. He было ничего странного в том, что ей представили нового менеджера. 12. Брат не осознавал того, что сделал что-то плохое и обидел своего друга. 13. Ему было приятно, когда его расспрашивали о его новой книге. 14. Он ничего не знал (to be ignorant) о том, что кто-то приехал. 15. Мой брат очень удивился, что я уже закончил работу. 16. Мне жаль, что я упустила такую возможность. 17. Кто отвечает за то, чтобы все было отремонтировано? 18. Я хотел поговорить с ней, но она вся была поглощена музыкой (...тем, что слушала музыку). 19. Ева была занята организацией встречи. 20. Они гордятся тем, что их сын так хорошо учится. 21. Надо починить телевизор. 22. Этот роман стоит прочесть. 23. Пол надо натереть.

Unit 8