The gerund as an adveribial modifier

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Adverbial Modifier

Questions

Conjunctions/ prepositions/ particles

Examples

1

Of time

When?

Prepositions:

• on

• upon (old-fashioned)

• after

• before

• in (old-fashioned)

• at

• since

• One day, on returning to his hotel, he found a note waiting for him.

• Upon waking I found myself much recovered. (Проснувшись, я почувствовал себя значительно лучше.)

• At first he couldn’t understand. Only after thinking it over, he hit upon the explanation.

• I had had a lot of thoughts before leaving the job.

• In leaving the room he paused at my table. (Выходя из комнаты, он остановился возле моего стола)

• At hearing his footsteps Claire turned her head.

• Since leaving the office I made a lot of thinking.

2

Of reason/cause

Why?

For what reason?

Prepositions:

• because of

• through (old fashioned)

• for

• for fear of

• on account of

• owing to

• We lost ourselves through not knowing the way. (literary style)

• I couldn’t sleep for worrying about my future.

• Mary walked carefully for fear of breaking the precious vase.

• The accident happened owing to bad driving.

• Because of his wife’s being there, I said nothing about that poor girl.

3

Of manner and attendant circumstances

No identifying questions

or

How?

In what manner?

In what way?

Prepositions:

• without

• in

• by

• The door opened without having been knocked on.

• They danced without speaking.

• The days were spent in packing.

• She frightened her father by bursting into tears.

• You will achieve a lot by telling the truth.

• John began learning the new language by watching TV.

4

Of comparison

No identifying questions

Conjunctions:

• than

For me swimming is better than lying in the sun.

5

Of concession

No identifying questions

Prepositions:

• in spite of

• despite

Conjunction:

• though

• I don’t ask any questions in spite of there being a lot of questions to ask.

• Though knowing much more that his friends, Joseph never showed any arrogance.

6

Of condition

In what case?

On what condition?

Prepositions:

• without

• but for

• in case of

• You will never learn to speak English without speaking a lot.

• But for meeting John I would have never known real London.

• In case of being kept at the customs, phone us immediately.

7

Of purpose

(rare use)

What for?

For what purpose?

Preposition:

• for

• They took her to the police station for questioning.

8

Of exception

Except what?

Prepositions:

• except (for)

• but for

• apart from

• aside from

• besides

• Your English is decent apart from spelling.

• The boy enjoys everything except doing his homework.

Adverbial Modifier

Number of Sentences

1

Time

2

Reason

3

Manner/attendant circumstances

1,

4

Concession

5

Purpose

6

Condition

7

Exception

8

Comparison