Predicative constructions (complexes) with the gerund

Ex. 1. Point out predicative constructions with the gerund in the following sentences and define their functions.

1. I hate the idea of Larry making such a mess of his life. (S. M.) 2. Later, in the night, I was awakened by the sound of someone moving softly about the room. (A. Chr.) 3. Do you think there is much chance of one seeing him again? (A. Chr.) 4. Well, it was the same fellow. And do you remember me saying that I was sure I had seen him somewhere before? (P. W.) 5. "Will you pav anv attention if I forbid you to go?" "No, darling," I said, "none." Then she said, "That's what I imagined. In that case there doesn't seem to be much point in my forbidding it." (S. M.) 6. What can be the possible use of Larry's learning dead languages? (S. M.) 7. Jane bit her lip till the blood came, and walked back to her seat without another word, but she couldn't help the tears of rage rolling down her face. (Galsw.) 8. "Well," he said, "I couldn't help Irene's having no money." (Galsw) 9. He had called there three times now without her being able to see him. (Galsw.) 10. His having come home so late has caused her much anxiety. (Cus.) 11. I'm afraid just at first he'll be rather lonely and I shall feel more comfortable if I can count on your keeping an eye on him. (S. M.) 12. I shan't mind its coming out a hundred or so over the, mark. (Galsw.)

Ex. 2. Define the structure of predicative constructions with the gerund in the following sentences.

1. The blood returned to Michael's heart. Curious how he had dreaded its having anything to do with her. (Galsw.) 2. Arthur was proud of his unselfishness, and Miriam added to her family duties the job of trying to prevent her mother imping more than necessary on her husband's ordered life. (M. D.) 3. Nothing keeps me going but the sight of other people spending money. (Galsw.) 4. Fancy her wanting to know what was troubling him! (Galsw.) 5. I shall want you lying on your face just here with your elbows on the ground and your head up. (Galsw.) 6. The entrance of the manager was marked by Sir Lawrence's monocle dropping on to his coat-button with a tinkle. (Galsw.) 7. Whatever she thought about his being at the station with her mother, and Louise could not help wondering what she thought, she did not show it. (M. D.) 8. "It's due to the pancreas, they say. That's a thing that lays under your stomach like a fish under a stone." He cleared his throat, looked at Louise and added, "If you'll excuse my mentioning it." (M. D.) 9. What reason is there to suppose that our bumps of benevolence will increase in time to stop our using these great new toys of destruction, Michael! (Galsw.) 10....the ordinary public will take your Marquesan seriously, and resent your making him superior to themselves. (Galsw.) 11. The sight of her mother dabbing gently with a mop annoyed Miriam... (M. D.) 12. He did not recollect such a thing having happened to him before. (Galsw.)

Ex. 3. Use the gerund in the required form as the second part of the predicative constructions with the gerund.

1. He had declared that his stepfather would not hear of his (to marry) a penniless girl. (A. Chr.) 2. I remember your father, Mr. James, (to come) into the office the morning the Franco-Prussian war was declared — quite in his prime then, hardly more than sixty, I should say. (Galsw.) 3. The whole place is in a bustle, and the chances of one particular person (to notice) telephoning or getting into the express are very small indeed. (A. Chr.) 4. There was no point, however, in Eva (to discuss) the play with her, since Louise thought it a sordid and unreal concoction and could not see what all the fuss was about. (M. D.) 5. My friend, Doctor Sheppard, said something of the butler (to suspect)? (A. Chr.) 6. He had a superstitious fear that if even one day passed without his (to add) to the book he would lose himself again in that drab labyrinth of un-doing. (Banks) 7. There's no sense in your (to agonize) over me. I'm all right, do you hear? I just want to be left alone to run my own life without the family (to butt) in all the time. (M. D.) 8. I had reached this point in my meditations, when I was aroused by the sound of the door (to open). (P. W.) 9. Ann did not mind her (to come) to see the baby, but she would not let her help with it. (M. D.) 10. They told me all about his (to be) there, and the questions he had asked. (A. Chr.) 11.1 must beg, that in the case of my (to be able) to contribute something to the solution of the mystery, my name may not be mentioned. (A. Chr.) 12. I'm tired of people (to have) to be kind to me. (M. D.) 13. I'm eight years older than you are—oh! I don't mind M. Poirot (to know) that —! (A. Chr.) 14. Louise had been going to say something diplomatic about women (to like) fat men, but was glad she did not.... (M. D.) 15. "I never dreamed of her (to be) the thief," I expostulated. (A. Chr.)

Ex. 4. Form predicative constructions with the gerund out of the elements in brackets.

1. They might, she always felt, disapprove of (women, to smoke) in public halls. (Galsw.) 2....I did ask her why she could not sleep and what kept (she, to think) so much as she listened to the nightingale. (Bates) 3. "It's not much good (me, to spend) half an hour writing to your uncle if he changes his mind the next letter he gets from you," said the headmaster irritably. (S. M.) 4. Kate smiled at (Anthony, to shift) on his chair. (Gr. Gr.) 5. "I couldn't stop (she, to come here)." He spread his hands helplessly. (M. D.) 6. If you don't object to (me, to accompany) you as far as the door, sir...? (A. Chr.) 7. Louise did not mind staying there, although she was always glad to get away to a bath with hot water, and a meal without (dogs, to clamour) round the table. (M. D.) 8. No one would dream of (he, to be) so near at hand. (A. Chr.) 9. Slipping into the room like a ghost, she crept into her grandmother's bed, and finished (she, to cry) unchided until she fell asleep. (M. D.) 10. "You must not mind our (to be surprised)," she said. (A. Chr.) 11. After all I'm partly to blame for (you, to miss) the train so the least I can do is to help you out of a jam. (Cus.) 12....there was still a chance of (Bart, to come). (Cus.) 13. Naturally, I realise that this pleurisy will put her back a bit, but I suppose it won't prevent (she, to be) out by the end of October? (Cus.)

Ex. 5. Recast the following sentences with predicative constructions with the gerund so as to use complex sentences.

1. "You must forgive my acting without consulting you, Philip," she said. 2. Everyone was surprised at their being late. 3. I insist on your apologizing to them, you are very rude. 4. It was hard to keep your mind off illness with Doris and Edith talking about it all the time. 5. "What's the use of Caroline and me filling ourselves with streptomycin day and night," thought Jan. 6. "If I was engaged to you," said Dick, "there wouldn't be any fuss about my paying for you at the hospital." 7. He went up the road with fear and anger fighting in him. 8. The thought of Helen being alone and waiting for him made Dan run the block. 9. He had never thought of Jean meeting his people before. 10. I hadn't thought of crops failing—not this one at any rate! 11. Is there any objection to my seeing her? 12. Mr. Barker consoled himself with the thought that there's no chance of Diana and Gerald getting married for years. 13. Dorothy had to agree, although she did not approve of Laura going to the cinema so often. 14. I don't like your going off so soon. 15. I don't like to think of you going there alone. 16. Who suggested their going to the country with us?

Ex. 6. Recast the following sentences so as to use predicative constructions with the gerund. Use prepositions where required.

1. Presently I became aware that someone was moving softly about this room. 2. I was about to suggest that you should lunch with me. 3. For my part I had never before suspected that Kate had a deep vein of superstition in her nature. 4. I cut short his lamentations, by suggesting that we should start for the camp at once. 5. I like you so much because you are such a good cook. 6. I boasted that my father was different; he would understand that I was an artist. 7. She took a peculiar delight in the fact that he was Peter's son..8. He felt proud of the fact that he had been able to win a woman whom everybody admired. 9. She gave no sign that she heard that he had slammed the door. 10. She insisted that he should drop his voice. 11. He was clever, no one had ever denied that he was clever.

Ex. 7. Complete the following so as to use predicative constructions with the gerund.

1. You don't seem to mind their.... 2. What is the reason of his...? 1 don't understand what prevents her.... 3. There's no sense in your.... 4. She finished her.... 5. He dropped the subject without my.... 6. Louise didn't like to run the risk of her.... 7. He liked the idea of their.... 8. They saved time by Tom's.... 9. There was no excuse for Isabel's.... 10. There was no possibility of David's....11.1 was awakened by the sound of someone.... 12. I sat there listening to Arthur.... 13. I don't like her.... 14. He was right in his.... 15. There is no point in my.... 16. Bobby gave no sign of his.... 17. There was an absolute proof of his.... 18. Forgive my.... 19. It was the only excuse for her....

Ex. 8. Translate into Russian paying attention to the predicative constructions with the gerund.

1. She did it because she couldn't bear to see you selling those balloons. (Galsw). 2. I don't mean it's queer your getting him the cigarette box —why shouldn't you? But it's queer your never mentioning it. (J. Pr.) 3. Doesn't like it? How can she not like someone doing the dishes for her? (M.D.) 4. Louise could not imagine him not being nice about children. (M. D.) 5. What his new enterprise was, Louise barely knew, except that it was something to do with shares and companies, and necessitated his having lunches with mysterious sounding men in places like the Savoy, which Louise did not think they could afford. (M. D.) 6. He disapproved, he didn't believe in girls drinking, he was full of the conceptions of a generation older than himself. (Gr. Gr.) 7..It wasa great mistake, my being born a man, I would have been much more successful as a sea-gull or a fish. (B. Sh.) 8. Monna Caterina told me it was no good my waiting, she gave me another drink of wine and sent me away. (S. M.) 9. "It's no good your carrying on, mother," said Sally in her quiet way. "I'm not going to marry him." (S. M.) 10. The distressing commotion in the bedroom was ended by Arthur taking the picture away and saying that he would burn it. (M. D.) 11. He rubbed his hair crossly. "It's no good your scratching your head," she said. (A. Chr.) 12. He's never there when you want him. He just takes advantage of you being so soft. (M.D.) 13. "Miss Tomson, don't mind my asking you a question?" "No." (Denleavy) 14. "Would you have any objection to our examining the package, Mr. Pulling?" "I most certainly would." (Gr. Gr.)