The use of the gerund

In the sentence the gerund can perform any syntactical function typical of a noun. When used like a noun it may function:

a) alone (a single gerund) I like swimming. But the single gerund occurs very seldom.

b) as the head word of a gerundial phrase (that is a gerund accompanied by words referring to it). A gerundial phrase functions as one indivisible part of the sentence. I like swimming in the sea.

c) as part of a gerundial construction.

A gerundial construction is a syntactical unit consisting of a nominal element (a noun or a pronoun) and a verbal element (a gerund). The gerund is in predicate relation to the noun or pronoun (the nominal element of the construction), that is in the construction the gerund denotes an action performed by or to the person or non-person expressed by the nominal element. Thus the relations between the elements of the construction resemble those between the subject and the predicate of the sentence, that’s why the gerundial construction is used when the doer of the action of the gerund does not coincide with the subject of the sentence.

The gerundial constructions are mainly the property of written English and are rarely used in conversational English. Like a gerundial phrase a gerundial construction functions as one indivisible part of the sentence.

The nominal element of the construction can be expressed by:

a) a noun in the genitive case or a possessive pronoun denoting a living being.

She hadn’t known how much she had missed Jake’s supporting her these two last years. Она даже не знала, как все эти два года ей не хватало поддержки Джейка.

Did he mourn his father’s passing? Он оплакивал кончину отца?

I’m glad it’s all turned out well despite your going behind my back. Я рад, что все благополучно закончилось, хоть вы и действовали за моей спиной.

Possessives and genitives are restricted almost entirely to pronouns and proper names.

b) a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case. The use of this form reflects a growing tendency in the modern language. The possessive form is considered to be more literary. The objective form is found mainly in the spoken language, that is in informal English it is more common to use forms like me, you, John instead of the possessives my, your and genitives like John’s.

It’s like people trying to get to the moon. Это похоже на то, как люди пытаются попасть на Луну.

You don’t mind Caroline working on papers alone? Ты не против того, чтобы Каролина занималась документами одна?

It won’t do any good you getting all worked up. Совершенно ни к чему тебе себя взвинчивать.

The genitive case of the noun is impossible:

1) when the nominal element consists of two or more nouns:

The boss insisted on the engineer and the mechanic taking part in the work. Начальник настаивал на том, чтобы и инженер и механик приняли участие в этой работе.

Will you approve of my friend and me attending the class as visitors? Вы согласны, если мы с другом посидим на занятиях как вольнослушатели?

We insist on rich and poor being treated alike. Мы настаиваем на том, чтобы с богатыми и бедными обращались одинаково.

2) if the noun has a post-modifying attribute.

There can be no object in the man of his age staying here now. Нет смысла человеку его возраста сейчас оставаться здесь.

I can’t think of a man of talent composing such music. He могу себе представить, чтобы талантливый человек сочинял такую музыку.

c) a noun in the common case or a possessive pronoun if the nominal element of the construction denotes a lifeless thing.

He didn’t mind the car blocking the door. Он не возражал против того, что машина загораживает дверь.

Не didn’t mind either the car or even its blocking the way. Он не возражал ни против машины, ни даже против того, что она загораживает дорогу.

d) a pronoun which has no category of case (such as, for instance, demonstrative, universal and indefinite pronouns).

I looked at my friends and was surprised at both (each, all) of them being puzzled. Я посмотрел на своих друзей и был удивлен, что оба они (каждый из них, все они) были озадачены.

Your generosity takes some getting used to. К Вашей щедрости нужно привыкнуть.

You and I have some talking to do. Нам надо поговорить.

She was responsible for this being done properly. Она отвечала за то, чтобы это было сделано хорошо.

Exercise 24. Read the following replacing the pronouns in the objective case or nouns in the common case by possessives and genitives.

MODEL: Our teacher won’t like us coming late to the lecture. – Our teacher won’t like our coming late to the lecture.

I don’t mind Cyril talking to you. – I don’t mind Cyril’s talking to you.

1. Please excuse us calling you so late. 2. I’m afraid of John losing the way. 3. Do you remember me asking for the book before? 4. Our friends objected to us leaving so soon. 5. I don’t much like the idea of Mary going home alone in the dark. 6. I always remember him complaining of you staying so long. 7. I wonder why you hate David wearing this pink shirt with a green tie. 8. Did your husband agree to you coming to see me? 9. I just can’t understand them inviting everybody to see the film again. 10. We can’t stand you singing out of tune. 11. Please forgive me asking such a personal question. 12. We shall miss you visiting us in the evenings.

Exercise 25. Read the following replacing the possessives and genitive by pronouns in the objective case and nouns in the common case.

MODEL: You must forgive our interrupting you in this way. – You must forgive us interrupting you in this way.

My friend can’t understand Betty’s treating him like that. – My friend can’t understand Betty treating him like that.

1. Michael doesn’t like the idea of my learning to drive his car. 2. The teacher dislikes their coming to his lectures after the bell. 3. I remember your coming in long after midnight. 4. I don’t fancy his living with us so long. 5. If you don’t mind my saying so, we should do the whole thing again. 6. I can’t understand their forgetting to phone us. 7. I was afraid of Mary’s leaving without me. 8. The weather won’t stop their playing in the match. 9. My parents don’t like my going out alone at night. 10. I can excuse Betty’s being rude to me but I can’t forgive her being rude to my parents. 11. I’ll never forget Cyril’s jumping over the fence. 12. I’ll have to insist on his not disturbing us during the lesson.

Exercise 26. Complete the following using a gerundial construction.

MODEL: I remember (he, to ask for) that book last Friday. – I remember him (his) asking for that book last Friday.

1. My wife hates (I, to read) a newspaper at breakfast. 2. My parents object to (I, to stay up) late. 3. I can’t insist on (you, to leave) so early. 4. This change of the timetable will mean (we, to leave) much later every day. 5. Do you mind (I, to smoke) here? 6. I don’t like (she, to read) my letters. 7. I can’t understand (you, to read) my letters. 8. Please excuse (we, to read) your letters. 9. He enjoyed (she, to play) his music. 10. Can you imagine (I, to wear) a pink skirt and a yellow blouse? 11. I didn’t mind (they, to come) late to the lecture. 12. It won’t be any use (you, to try) to borrow any more money. 13. They brought me the journal but I imagine (it, to give) to my colleague.

Exercise 27. Make one sentence out of two by using a gerundial construction.

MODEL: The neighbours are displeased. She invites her friends every day. – The neighbours are displeased at her inviting her friends every day.

1. We object. She invited her friends again. 2. We are pleased. He was invited to the conference. 3. They were invited to the disco. I’ve heard about it. 4. He will be sent abroad. The boss insists on it. 5. He is always on time with his work. You may rely on him. 6. She is fond of it when we take her out. 7. I’m really surprised. The concert was over so early. 8. Are you proud that your pupils speak so fluently? 9. Our teacher is displeased. This student always does his exercises badly. 10. Our teacher is displeased. He did his exercises badly again. 11. The teacher is always displeased when the work is done carelessly. 12. Are you not surprised? Your friend was introduced to our greatest singer. 13. The children are left at home alone. I disapprove of it, they are too small.

Unit 3