The Gerund

111. Point out the Gerund and comment on its noun and verb characteristics. Translate the sentences into Russian:

1. Talking about ourselves is what we modern authors have a strong objection to doing. 2. He stopped writing and ran out into the bathroom. He started washing with great speed. He was two minutes late already. 3. It's silly of me, but I can't help feeling anxious. 4.1 don't like being lied to — and that, I think, is what you are trying to do. 5.1 feel a good deal of hesitation about telling you this story of my own. 6. On hearing the sound Nance hurried to the door, and Grand to the window. 7. He left without having paid the bill. 8. Would you mind waiting a moment in the hall? 9. He denied having opened the box. 10. Writing quickly tires my hand. 11.1 remember seeing it on the table. 12. He was accused of having entered the country illegally. 13.1 disliked my mother's interfering in the affair. 14. The boy spent half the night in writing to his people.

112. Use the appropriate form of the Gerund of the verbs in brackets:

1. (to speak) without (to think) is (to shoot) without aim. 2. Do you know what is peculiar about the English rule of (to drive)? 3. I'm glad to say that the lady didn't keep us (to wait). 4. I remember (to take) to Paris when I was a very small child. 5. I strongly suspect Gerald of (to know) all about it beforehand, though he swears he didn't. 6. Excuse me for not (to write) more at the moment. 7. She never lost the power of (to form) quick decisions. 8. He had an air of (to be) master of his fate, which was his chief attraction. 9. She denied (to see) me at the concert though I'm sure I saw her in the stalls. 10. I want to thank her for (to look) after the children while I was out. 11. He passed to the front door and out without (to see) us. 12.1 enjoy (to read) poetry. 13.1 don't mind (to stay) here for a little while. 14. Are you going to keep me (to wait) all day? 15. They reproached us for (not to come) to the party; they were waiting for us the whole evening. 16. He suspected her of (to give) the police information about him while the workers were on strike. 17.1 sat on the doorstep thinking over my chances of (to escape) from home. 18. There is very little hope of the work (to do) in time. 19. The coat showed evident signs of (to wear) on the preceding night. 20. (to avoid) the use of the perfect gerund is quite common if there is no fear of (to misunderstand).

113. Use the appropriate form of the Gerund and insert prepositions where necessary:

1. Newton, the famous scientist, was sometimes engaged (to work out) difficult problems. 2. " There's no question (to forgive) you, " he said quickly. 3. Of course, I should insist (to pay) for my work. 4. I wonder if there's any use (to try) to improve him. 5. We began to speak only when we were out (to hear) of the old man. 6. I insist (to go) there at once. 7. We all suspected him (to learn) it before and (to try) to conceal it from us. 8. They were all busy (to unpack) the books and (to put) them on the shelves. 9. (to hear) the news she ran over to the telephone to inform Gerald at once. 10. But (to make) this request Mr. Dennant avoided (to look) in his face. 11.1 spent'the rest of the time in the hall of the Station Hotel (to write) letters. 12. You can help me (to give) a piece cf good advice, you're old enough to know it better. 13. (to discuss) the plan ourselves we decided to consult Mike's eldest brother who in our eyes was an expert. 14. He hesitated a little (to open) the door. He had a feeling that there was somebody waiting for him inside. 15. (to hear) the sound of the door opened downstairs he tiptoed into the corridor and bent over the banister. 16. (to see) three little children dancing in the street to their own music he came up nearer to see them better. 17. Excuse me (to come) late.

114. Comment on the functions of the Gerund in the following serlences:

1. Looking after children requires patience. 2. It is no use discussing it now, we must act. 3, It was no good taking the little darling up to town, she got only tired. 4. Seeing is believing. 5. What he loves best in the world is playing football. 6. The main thing to do in this situation is getting away as soon as possible. 7. The car began moving away -'own the road. 8. Every second he kept glancing at the clock. 9. The kind woman started crying before the boy had finished his sad story. 10. However hard he tried he could not stop thinking about it. 11. He enjoyed teaching and knew that he did it well. 12. Do you mind seeing these photos again? 13.1 dislike reminding you continually of the things you ought to have done. 14. I can't afford buying this expensive hat. 15. Oh, how I dislike being interrupted! 16. He was busy getting ready for his journey. 17. Nobody thought of anything but spending money, and having what they called " a good time." 18. But instead of soothing Shelton these words had just the opposite effect. 19. The idea of settling down in that little town filled her with nothing but regret. 20. He was in the habit of dozing after dinner in his favourite armchair. 21. She knew that there was a danger of falling ill. 22. I walked to my place as fast as I could without breaking into a run. 23. Before speaking he carefully thought out what he was going to say. 24. By studying early in the morning he saved a good deal of time. 25. On reading her letter he had once more a feeling of disappointment.

115. Use the appropriate form of the Gerund. Insert prepositions where necessary:

1. Now I can boast (to see) Rome and London, Paris and Athens. 2. How did you like the English rule (to drive) on the left side of the road instead of the right? 3. I hate (to be) ill and (to stay) in bed. 4. We all kissed Mother (to go) to bed. 5. I'm not used (to receive) Christmas presents. 6. At every school she went to she learned drawing, besides (to teach) by her father at home. 7. My wife and I look forward (to see) you and Rosa. 8. The children had to help (to sweep) and (to clean) the rooms and (to wash up) after meals. 9. The doctor left three different medicines with instructions (to give) them. 10. You can improve your pronunciation (to read) aloud. 11.1 went out for a while (to give) the boy the prescribed capsules. 12. You can't act (to feel). 13. I dislike the idea (to spend) a holiday with hundreds of other people. 14. (to ask) about it he said he knew nothing. 15. The silence was broken by the sound of a door (to lock). 16. She walked a little (to leave) her office. 17. I remember (to go) to the British Museum one day.

116. Translate these sentences into English, using the Gerund:

1. Нелли предложила пойти в Исторический музей. 2. Эту проблему стоит обсудить. 3. Я припоминаю, что видела эту же фотографию Британского музея в другом журнале. 4. Хотя мы были в Лондоне всего три дня, я получила большое удовольствие от осмотра достопримечательностей этого огромного города. 5. Она боится одна оставаться с детьми. Она не знает, что с ними делать, как их забавлять. 6. Чтение книг по истории Англии и, в частности, Лондона — приятное и полезное занятие для будущего учителя английского языка. 7. Он избегает встречаться со мной после нашей ссоры. 8. Они не могли не опоздать. Их поезд задержался из-за тумана. 9. Доктор настаивает на том, чтобы всем детям были сделаны прививки. 10. Твое пальто нужно почистить щеткой. 11. Я помню, что видела письмо на столе. 12. Извините, что я вмешиваюсь, но у меня очень важная новость для вас. 13. Я не люблю занимать деньги Это довольно неприятно. 14. Она предпочитает все делать сама без чьей-либо помощи. 15. Ок сказал это громко, не глядя ни на кого, и было неясно, к кому он обращается. 16. Нет никакого другого способа попасть туда до захода солнца. 17. Мы провели много времени за писанием пригласительных билетов на наш вечер выпускникам факультета. 18. Вы можете улучшить произношение, слушая магнитофонные записи, а также чтением вслух. 19. При виде жареной индейки на подносе он сказал, что это наилучшее угощение, какое только можно себе представить. 20. После того как он просмотрел все фотографии, Джон долго улыбался. 21. Я сожалею, что приходится покидать вас так скоро.

117. Point out complexes with the Gerund and comment on their function? in the following sentences;

1. Do you agree to our taking her up to town and putting her under the best control? 2, His breathing heavily when he greeted her was the result of running up two flights of stairs. 3. Of course I should insist on your accepting the proper professional fee. 4. She was startled by the noise of the outer door being opened, 5. " You know Sven hates your standing down at the door alone, " said Minnie. 6. I can't bear the thought of the children staying there alone. 7. We knew nothing of his being a humorous writer. 8. Your being so indifferent irritates me a great deal. 9. We've got a lot of questions to settle before your leaving. 10. What annoyed me most of all was his accepting their proposal quite readily. 11. Nick was very much excited about his favourite cake getting spoiled. 12. I remember in school days he couldn't answer the teacher's questions without my prompting him. 13. Don't think she'll approve of your telling me this. 14. His having failed at the entrance examination was a great disappointment to his mother. 15. Uncle Julius insists on my coming to keep him company.

118. Make up sentences, using the Gerund after the following verbs:

stop, finish, prevent, avoid, dislike, risk, deny, remember, postpone, enjoy, fancy, imagine, forgive, excuse, suggest, keep, mind, rely, regret, it wants (needs).

119. Point out gerunds and verbal nouns. Translate the sentences into Russian:

1. Oh, Robert, dearest, don't leave us! I've so loved being with you. 2. He may have noticed my goings out and comings in. 3. There's no going back now. A. Remember at school one was always kept waiting for a beating. 5. Now and again came the clear hammering of the woodpecker or the joyless call of a crow. 6. She tried to speak lightly, but there was a lump in her throat and a tightening at her heart. 7. Upon reading this letter Shelton had once more a sense of being exploited. 8. " Oh, " she cried when they were out of hearing. " I wish he would go." 9. She went quickly past him and out of the room without looking back. 10. He looked at us with a kind of cheerful cunning. 11. Well, what are your plans, Dixon? — I was thinking of going in for school teaching. 12, She arose, but before she had time to get out of the room a loud rapping began upon the front door. 13. He began tidying the cabin, putting away his clothes and straightening the bed. 14. I have only a candle to see by, so I trust you will excuse my bad writing. 15. He reached his rooms at midnight so exhausted that, without waiting to light up, he dropped into a chair. 16. He said he was looking forward to meeting you again. 17.. And the worst of it is that I shall go on doing exactly I was going to do in the first place. 18. There was the splashing of big drops on large leaves and a faint stirring and shaking in the bush. 19. She began talking to the girl behind the bar. 20. Her father took no notice of her comings and gomgs.

120. Translate into English, using the Gerund:

1. Я не люблю провожать. Я предпочитаю, чтобы провожали меня. 2. Вам не следовало бы настаивать на том, чтобы вам сказали правду. 3. То, что он пришел, меняет дело. 4. Я помню, что положила деньги в сумку. 5. Я не могу позволить себе покупать такие дорогие вещи. 6. Вы ничего не имеете против того, чтобы он зашел к вам сегодня? 7. Она продолжала говорить, не обращая внимания на наши слова. 8. Он был сердит на нас за то, что мы его побеспокоили. 9. Мысль о том, чтобы сказать ей все открыто, пугала его. 10. Мы хотели проводить ее, но она настояла на том, что пойдет одна. 11. Я не помню, чтобы он когда-либо обращался ко мне с подобной просьбой. 12. Вместо того, чтобы обдумать вопрос как следует, она сразу отказалась. 13. Что помешало вам поехать вместе с нами? 14. Услышав отдаленный крик, он остановился и прислушался. 15. Осознав свою оплошность, она рассмеялась. 16. Она никогда не уставала говорить о своих детях. Она так гордилась ими! 17. Она дала мне понять, что заметила меня, слегка кивнув головой.

121. Use the Gerund instead of the subordinate clauses. Insert prepositions if necessary:

1.1 remember Mother reprimanded me when I spoiled her favourite fish-cake. 2. We recommended that work should start at once. 3. Thank you that you reminded me. 4. Nick suggested that we should dine at a restaurant to celebrate this little event. 5. He doesn't like when you interfere. 6. He prevents when I help him. 7. Nobody knew that they had agreed to take part in the expedition. 8.1 insist that everything should be said in plain words so that there can't be any misunderstanding. 9. She dislikes when the children prompt one another and always gets very angry. 10. He wrote he would stay in Paris another week and did not explain why he was obliged to do so. 11.1 can't recollect that they ever invited me to stay a weekend with them. 12. He was afraid that the news might cause excitement among the girls. 13. She disliked that he was so stubborn and would never listen to her reasons. 14. Nell denies that he is a bore. 15.1 prefer that we should make use of tape-recording before we read the text. 16. Nobody objects that Peter lives with us. 17. We decided that we should join them in Glasgow.

122. Complete the following, using the Gerund:

1. We couldn't even dream of.... 2. Everybody wished he stopped.... 3. He is sure to boast of.... 4. You can't act without.... 5. Are English people fond of...? 6. I hardly remember.... 7. We don't often have the chance of.... 8. My children are not used to.... 9. Is there any use in...? 10. He didn't care for.... 11. We all look, forward to.... 12. Everybody disliked the idea of.... 13. He has given up.... 14. What kept you from...? 15. Is it worth while...? 16. The boy kept on... 17. What prevented her from...? 18. The audience enjoyed.... 19. What do you mean by...?