Gerundial Constructions

Compare:

I don't mind opening the window. I don't mind his opening the window.

She did not object to doing the room. She did not object to my doing the room.

She insisted on being allowed to go home. She insisted on her son being allowed to go home.

Ex. 2.1 Make up five sentences from each table.

I	insisted on	my	going there.
He	looked forward to	his	being sent there.
She	thought of	her	coming back.
We	objected to	our	being given this task.
You	dreamed of	your	being invited to the party.
They		their	inviting to the party.

I	am	pleased with	my	behaving so.
He	is	sure of	your	having said it.
She	are	surprised at	his	having been praised.
We	was	proud of	our	playing so well.
You	were		their	being invited there.
They			Jane's	having won the match.

Ex. 2.2 Transform the subordinate clauses with the prepositions in brackets.

1. When they entered the house, they heard the last bell ringing. (on) 2. Thank you that you invited me to the theatre. (for) 3. The woman insisted that her husband should consult the doctor at once. (on) 4. She could not think that the operation might be postponed. (of) 5. There was little hope that James would return on the same day. (of) 6. The thought that he had been turned away by the doorkeeper made him feel miserable. (of) 7. The pleasant-faced middle-aged woman insisted that Olga should come to her town to teach. (on) 8. Helen suggested that they should go on a trip. 9. There is a possibility that my father will join us for the trip. (of) 10. The girls knew that the sportsman had been awarded a prize. (of) 11.I don't mind if you walk to the underground station with me.

Ex. 2.3 Combine the sentences using Gerundial Constructions.

Model: They lost the game. I am surprised at it. – I am surprised at their having lost the game.

1. Nick studies very well. His father is proud of it. 2. Kate failed in the examination. We are surprised at it. 3. He will come in time. I am sure of it. 4. She plays the piano very well. I am pleased with it. 5. Our football players won the match. We are proud of it. 6. They are here. I am surprised at it. 7. When you quarrel, I dislike it. 8. When you open the window I don't mind it. 9. When they dance, I enjoy it. 10. When he gets an excellent mark, his parents are pleased with it.

Ex. 2.4 Paraphrase the sentences using Gerundial Constructions.

Models: I want him to clean the floor. – I insist on his cleaning the floor. I don't want him

to be sent there. – I object to his being sent there.

1. I want Kate to recite this poem. 2. They wanted me to take part in the competition. 3. I don't want Jane to stay here alone. 4. The teacher wanted the pupils to do this exercise. 5. Mother did not want Mary to go to the cinema. 6. I don't want him to be elected a chairman. 7. I want her to be sent to the conference.

Ex. 2.5 Find gerundial constructions in the following sentences and state their syntactic function. Translate the sentences.

1. I will not stand your encouraging people as you do. 2. It was he who reported the fact of her being missing to the police. 3. There must be no chance of our being identified. 4. Will you give me a certificate of your being unable to go? 5. Forgive my saying it. 6. She spoke of my being an adopted son to her. 7. He thought of Jane's coming that night. 8. The editors were firmly in favour of impeaching the President. There was a talk of his resigning. 9. Reid's lips had stretched into a grin without his knowing it.

Ex. 2.6 Transform the following sentences using Gerundial Constructions with prepositions where necessary.

1. My teacher insists that I should read aloud every day. 2. Will Mary have anything against it if I take her umbrella for some time? 3. I remember that I have seen this picture somewhere. 4. That you are against John's proposal does not mean that I must decline it. 5. The fact that you took English lessons some years ago helps you in your studies now. 6. I am told that you are very busy. 7. Do you mind if I smoke here? 8. Will you object if I close the door? 9. Thank you that you did it. 10. Tom was afraid that he must be late. 11. Bill remembered that he had walked about the factory gate for months. 12. When the young man graduated from Harvard, he returned to Russia. 13. Mary asked John to forgive her that she had not answered his letter sooner. 14. After we had passed our exams, we had a very entertaining evening. 15. Michael remembered that he had enjoyed the trip to the Bahamas. 16. They gave up the idea that they would find work. 17. The girls were afraid that they might miss the train. 18. I am thankful that I have been given a chance to hear this outstanding singer. 19. Helen insisted that she should be given this job. 20. I don’t remember that I have ever seen anyone dance like Plisetskaya.

Ex. 2.7 Translate into English using Gerundial Constructions.

1. Меня удивляет, что она делает так много орфографических ошибок. 2. Меня удивляет, что ты пропустил так много уроков. 3. Странно, что они проиграли матч. 4. Учитель был против того, чтобы мы сегодня пошли в кино. 5. Вы не возражаете, если я открою окно? 6. Я возражаю, чтобы этот вопрос обсуждался сегодня. 7. Он настаивал на том, чтобы все пришли завтра в 8 часов. 8. Я настаиваю на том, чтобы ее немедленно послали в санаторий. 9. Мы настаивали на том, чтобы этот дом был отремонтирован. 10. Успех нашей работы зависит от того, будете ли вы помогать нам. 11. Это зависит от того, будет ли открыт магазин. 12. Мы с нетерпением ждали, когда он вернется. 13. Она с нетерпением ждет, когда ее пригласят на вечер.

Ex. 2.8 Translate into English using the gerund.

1. Он думал о том, чтобы поступить в университет. 2. Он обвиняет меня в том, что я ему не помогаю. 3. Я не могу не чувствовать стыда. 4. Она не отрицает того, что живет в плохих условиях. 5. Продолжайте разговаривать. 6. Я настаиваю на том, чтобы сказать ему правду. 7. Они боялись опоздать на поезд. 8. Я не одобряю того, что ты играешь в компьютерные игры. 9. Мы оставили мысль о поездке за город. 10. Она бросила танцы. 11. Мама возражает против того, что я привожу в дом друзей. 12. Вы не возражаете, если я позвоню вам? 13. Она обвиняет его в том, что у нее нет денег. 14. Я не могу опаздывать на первый урок 15. Вы не возражаете, если я возьму вашу ручку? 16. Я не одобряю того, что вы играете в карты. 17. Его обвинили в том, что он ограбил дом. 18. Он бросил курить год назад. 19. Она боялась разговаривать с директором. 20. Мы оставили мысль когда-нибудь увидеть его. 21. Он обвинил нас в том, что мы к нему не пришли. 22. Мама возражает против того, что он читает в постели. 23. Я настаиваю на том, чтобы пригласить их. 24. Продолжайте обсуждать этот вопрос.