Герундий и отглагольное существительное/ The gerund and the verbal noun

Герундий следует отличать не только от причастия, но и от отглагольного существительного, которое также имеет суффикс –ing. Главные отличия герундия от отглагольного существительного заключаются в следующем:

1. Как все неличные формы глагола герундий имеет двоякую природу - глагольную и субстантивную.	1. Отглагольное существительное имеет только субстантивные черты.
2. Герундий не используется с артиклем.	2. Отглагольное существительное может быть использовано с артиклем. The straightening of the leg is accompanied by the shortening of the muscles of the back.
3. Герундий не может иметь множественного числа.	3. Отглагольное существительное может быть использовано во множественном числе. Our likings are regulated by our circumstances.
4. Герундий может определяться наречием. His reading rapidly is not always understandable.	4. Отглагольное существительное может определяться прилагательным, указательным местоимением или неопределенным местоимением: A good reading is always understandable.

Exercise 19. Find the sentences in which the ing-form is a) a gerund b) a verbal noun

1. You should think before speaking. 2. After finding the new word in the dictionary, I wrote it down and went on reading. 3. What do you mean by saying that? 4. We are interested in the strengthening of our positions. 5. The students found the reading of English newspapers rather difficult at first. 6. Instead of going home after the Academy, the girls went for a walk. 7. Chalk is used for writing on the blackboard. 8. The cleaning of the room was done by the girls. 9. I was awakened by their loud talking. 10. We were shocked by the crying of the baby.

Exercise 20. Define the –ing form. Translate the sentences.

1. The reading man is my friend. 2. After reading I began to write a letter. 3. His favorite occupation is reading. 4. I like the idea of reading a book. 5. Reading a book I didn’t hear when she came in. 6. Reading is useful. 7 His reading rapidly is not always understandable. 8. A good reading is always understandable. 9. We can’t get knowledge without reading.

Exercise 21. Define the –ing form as the Participle, the Gerund or the Verbal noun. Translate the sentences.

1. His bad condition prevented him from attending the lecture in Microbiology. 2. Microorganisms invading the animal body are able to develop an infection. 3. The process of growth is due to the increasing number of cells. 4. He had to give up the idea of doing sports because of the disease of the joints. 5. It is no use extending our investigation as the nature of the phenomenon has become clear. 6. He took part in the sittings of the committee regularly. 7. Hospitalizing a patient the doctor on duty examined in the reception ward. 8. Any drug causing strong reaction must be taken only if the doctor has administered it.

Exercise 22. Find the sentences in which the ing-form is a) a gerund b) a verbal noun b) a participle

1. The surgeon started performing the operation on the colon. 2. The veterinarian started the examining of the patient with bronchitis. 3. Leaving the hospital without the doctor’s permission is impossible. 4. His rapid leaving of the city was due to his mother’s illness. 5. All these comings and goings disturb me. 6. On coming home he called his friend. 7. The ongoing investigation of this case is under government’s control.