The adverbial modifier of manner

In this syntactical function the gerund is preceded by the prepositions by, in, without.

You’d have shown your concern better by sending for us before. (In what way? How?) – Ты бы лучше проявил свою обеспокоенность, если бы послал сначала за нами (послав за нами сначала).

Exercise 94. Point out the gerund or the gerundial phrase used as adverbial modifier of manner. Note the preposition preceding the adverbial modifier of manner. Translate the sentences into Russian. Pay attention to the ways of rendering the adverbial modifier of manner in Russian.

MODEL: The afternoon was spent in discussing the script. День ушел на обсуждение сценария. День провели, обсуждая сценарий.

1. You can spoil the cake by adding too much sugar. 2. He managed to make calculations without using a calculator. 3. A vacuum cleaner removes dirt and dust by sucking it up. 4. Can you revise the rules for the final exam without learning them by heart? 5. Mature students in Britain can get a grant by applying to the local government. 6. The teacher tried to awaken the children’s civic pride by telling them about the history of the country. 7. In doing the shopping and cooking she passed the day. 8. You will never solve your problems by trying to be in three places at once. 9. The day was spent in making calls. 10. She started to learn Spanish by listening to tapes. 11. The weekend was spent at home in watching video films. 12. Can’t you speak without raising your voice? 13. It’s impossible to unlock the drawer without using this key. 14. So many days were spent in lying on the beach and doing nothing. 15. By comparing the weather in different seasons they build up a picture of what is going on. 16. I stay in shape by exercising and not eating fattening foods. 17. Harry got the address of this college by looking it up in a college directory. 18. She spent the morning in writing letters to her friends.

Exercise 95. Paraphrase the sentences. Use a gerund or a gerundial phrase as adverbial modifier of manner. Choose the proper preposition.

MODEL: They packed their things in the morning. – The morning was spent in packing things.

He did a repair job from time to time and managed to save some money. – He managed to save some money by doing a repair job.

1. It will take them two days to put the refrigerators into containers. (Two days...) 2. Give your friend a call and you will make it up. 3. Read English books and you are sure to enrich your vocabulary. 4. Don’t interfere with their family matters and you may help them in this way. 5. He spent the whole day looking after the flowers in his garden. (His whole day...) 6. Wet the sponge and you can easily rub it off. 7. Read the text to yourself and you will get the main idea. 8. Face me, please. Otherwise you can’t understand a word. 9. Lucy spent hours daydreaming. (Hours...) 10. Ann watched television and improved her listening comprehension. 11. Get regular exercise and you can improve your physical condition.

Exercise 96. Work in pairs. Ask your partner how a child can provoke his parents to punish him. Your partner is supposed to use a gerund or a gerundial phrase as adverbial modifier of manner. Use the suggested variants.

MODEL:

- How can a child provoke his parents to punish him?

- I think, he can do it by making too much noise.

Suggested variants:

to say bad words; to idle; to meddle with his parents’ talk; to fall behind at school; not to tidy up the room; to steal the biscuits from the biscuit jar; to cry too often; to break the vase; to mistreat the cat; to get a poor mark; not to do his homework; to beat his little brother, etc.

Exercise 97. Imagine you are going: 1) to do a thorough turn out; 2) to decorate the flat; 3) to have a birthday party; 4)to spend your holiday at the seaside/abroad. Tell your groupmates how you are going to spend the day. Use a gerund or a gerundial phrase as adverbial modifier of manner.

MODEL 1: I am going to spend the morning in doing the washing.

Suggested variants:

1.to dust the furniture 3. to vacuum the rooms

2.to beat the carpets and rugs 4. to polish the floor, etc.

MODEL 2: I am going to spend the weekend in papering the walls.

Suggested variants:

1. to paper the walls in the kitchen/the living-room/the bedroom

2. to plaster and to whitewash the ceiling

3. to paint the walls in the bathroom

4. to paint the doors, etc.

MODEL 3: I am going to spend some time in doing the shopping.

Suggested variants:

1. to make a list of foodstuffs to buy 5. to do some shopping

2. to make salads 6. to make a birthday cake

3. to cook a chicken 7. to lay the table, etc.

4. to dress up

MODEL 4: I am going to spend the morning in sightseeing.

Suggested variants:

1. to walk on the beach 5. to lie in the sun

2. to have a drink in a bar 6. to read an interesting book

3. to draw water-colours 7. to visit one’s friends, etc.

4. to climb the mountain

Exercise 98. Speak about people’s manners you like or dislike. Use the preposition without.

MODEL: I like my friend’s manner of listening to me without saying a word. Or I like the way my friend listens to me without saying a word.

Suggested variants:

1. one’s manner of telling jokes (not to smile)

2. one’s manner of reciting poems (not to imitate famous actors)

3. the way one sings (not to be accompanied on the piano or guitar)

4. the way one imitates his friends (not to make a fool out of them)

5. the way one can pronounce tongue-twisters (ten times; not to stop)

6. one’s manner of talking (not to put on airs), etc.

Exercise 99. Say what one can’t do:

A. 1) without giving some previous thought;

2) without making a single mistake;

3) without using a single nail;

4) without standing on the stoolж

5) without stopping.

Suggested variants:

1.to guess a crossword puzzle; 4. to dust the top shelf;

2.to get an excellent mark; 5. to run two kilometers, etc.

3.to build a house;

B. 1) say what one can do: by using a PC

2) by moving the furniture

3) by opening a small window

4) by using a hairdryer

5) by saving enough money

Suggested variants:

1.to send an e-mail; 4. to dry one’s hair;

2.to change the room round; 5. to buy a country house, etc.

3.to air the room;

Exercise 100. Read the English sentences. Point out the gerundial construction used as adverbial modifier of manner. Choose the corresponding Russian sentence.

1. The problem can be solved by all the relatives lending them some money.

a) Проблему можно решить тем, что все родственники дадут им взаймы деньги.

b) Проблему можно решить с помощью всех родственников, если они дадут им взаймы деньги.

c) Все родственники, которые дают им взаймы деньги, могут решить проблему.

2. Не was rescued by his neighbour calling the police.

a) Его спасла полиция, которую вызвал сосед.

b) Его спас сосед, вызвавший полицию.

c) Его спасло то, что сосед вызвал полицию.

3. The project was improved by the designer using a new method.

a) Проект был усовершенствован тем, что дизайнер использовал новый метод.

b) Проект был усовершенствован, и дизайнером был использован новый метод.

c) Дизайнер усовершенствовал проект и использовал новый метод.

Exercise 101. Translate the sentences into English. Use a gerund or a gerundial phrase as adverbial modifier of manner.

1. Космический корабль создали, используя современные технологии. 2. Нам удалось получить нужную информацию, не входя в контакт с экспертами (to get into contact). 3. Остаток жизни он провел, играя в гольф и развлекаясь с друзьями. 4. Ты мог бы разговаривать с ним, не обзываясь (to call names). 5. Он не умеет жить, не тратя денег налево и направо (to spend money left and right). 6. Можно легко все запомнить, записывая лекции. 7. Невозможно тратить весь день на сборы. 8. Он всегда говорит, не повышая голоса (to raise one’s voice). 9. Попытайтесь решить задачу, используя эту формулу. 10. Они обычно проводят утро, обсуждая самые насущные проблемы. 11. Трудно достичь цели, полагаясь на других. 12. Ты можешь есть, не вытирая рот рукой (to wipe one’s mouth with the back of one’s hand)? 13. Весь день он провел, ремонтируя мебель.