The adverbial modifier of time

Due to the meaning of the prepositions preceding the gerund it may indicate:

a) priority (after, on/upon, since);

After taking a few steps about the room Tom blinked and looked away. Сделав несколько шагов по комнате, Том моргнул и посмотрел в сторону.

On recognizing the servant I whistled softly to him. Узнав слугу, я тихонько ему свистнул. In this case on denotes immediate priority.

I’ve called him several times since coming home. Я уже звонил ему несколько раз с тех пор, как вернулся домой.

b) simultaneity (in, at);

In crossing the street one should be careful. Переходя улицу, надо быть осторожным. (При переходе улицы...)

At hearing some steps Robert turned round. Услышав какие-то шаги, Роберт повернулся.

c) posterity (before).

She stared at him for several seconds in disbelief, before speaking to Tom. He веря своим глазам, она несколько секунд смотрела на Тома, прежде чем заговорила с ним.

In this function the gerund may be replaced by participle I:

Hearing the steps Robert turned round.

While crossing the street one should be careful.

Having sent them a telex we expected them to come.

In this case there can be no preposition, but the conjunctions while or when are possible.

Exercise 102. A. Point out the gerund or the gerundial phrase used as adverbial modifier of time. Note the prepositions preceding the adverbial modifier of time and say whether the gerund following it denotes priority, simultaneity or posterity. Translate the sentences into Russian.

Before giving him a call think the whole matter over. Прежде чем позвонить ему, все обдумай. Перед тем как ... (posterity)

After having a talk with him, give me a ring. После разговора с ним... После того как ты поговоришь с ним,... Поговорив с ним,... (priority)

At seeing the sweets in her mother’s hands the girl smiled. Когда девочка увидела конфеты... Увидев..., (simultaneity)

1. After coming back home she had a snack and then a nap. 2. Switch on the signal before turning left. 3. He stopped talking immediately on hearing her voice. 4. Since getting his last letter we haven’t heard from him. 5. In crossing the street look out. 6. At seeing the policeman he ran downstairs to open the door. 7. Before sending her daughter to Germany she asked her friends to look after her there. 8. The Hindu vegetarian impressed me and after talking with him I decided to become a vegetarian too. 9. Think twice before accepting this proposal. 10. At hearing his father’s steps he rushed out to meet him. 11. After failing his first year exam at university, he moved away to a small town in the South. 12. Since riding a horse when a boy he hasn’t done it again. 13. On finding the right paper she got the necessary information.

B. Choose the sentences where a gerund used as adverbial modifier of time indicates: 1) priority, 2) simultaneity, 3) posterity.

1. At seeing him in Moscow I could hardly recognize him. 2. On entering the sports club I saw my old friend. 3. Since selling his dog her grandpa has never had any pets. 4. Before digging his garden he bought some rare kinds of roses and apple-trees. 5. In telling tales about his pals he was never ashamed. 6. After being warned of possible danger they may try to avoid it. 7. On hearing his enemy he felt his heart leap with terror. 8. Since working in a shop she has changed several jobs.

Exercise 103. Paraphrase the following sentences. Replace participle I by an adverbial modifier of time expressed by a gerund or a gerundial phrase.

MODEL: While crossing that bridge one has to walk and not drive. – In crossing that bridge one has to walk, and not drive.

1. Turning the light on he saw a stranger in the room. 2. Hearing the song she remembered her childhood. 3. While watching the comedy they laughed a lot. 4. Having heated the boiler she took a bath. 5. When listening to the radio he was interested mostly in news programmes. 6. Having found the house he rang the doorbell. 7. Switching off the television he went to bed. 8. Having taken the medicine the old woman felt much better. 9. While talking with him she felt excited. 10. Having thought for a moment the man agreed to lend me a hand. 11. Seeing that the strap of her roller skate was loose she bent down and tightened it.

Exercise 104. Translate the sentences into Russian. Note the gerundial construction used as adverbial modifier of time. Note that the nominal element of the construction denoting the doer of the action doesn’t coincide with the subject of the sentence.

MODEL: Before his going to the club she asked him to come back as soon as possible. Перед тем как он пошел в клуб, она попросила его вернуться как можно скорее.

1. Before her being sent a fax they usually send her a contract by mail. 2. After Tim’s meeting Leslie in Africa she travelled all over the world. 3. On my coming back from work my wife gave me a strange letter. 4. Since my seeing him when I was a little boy he has never appeared. 5. After Nick travelling to Europe his life changed a lot. 6. Before our buying a big black poodle they offered us a toy poodle. 7. After their getting divorced their elder son married and lived on his own. 8. You can take him for a long walk to get some peace and quiet after his working on his PC for hours on end. 9. Since their going on expeditions to the Urals he has been to Mount Everest twice.

Exercise 105. Say what you haven’t done since... Denote the starting point of an action by an adverbial modifier of time expressed by the preposition since + a gerund, a gerundial phrase or a gerundial construction.

MODEL: I haven’t seen my classmate since... I haven’t seen my classmate since her calling on me a year ago.

Suggested variants:

1. to do one’s morning Exercises 2. to take medicine

3. to bathe in the Black Sea 4. to write an essay

5. to pick up mushrooms 6. to visit one’s relatives

7. to go to a restaurant 8. to travel by train

9. to go on holiday 10. to go to the dentist

11. to borrow money 12. to go out

Exercise 106. Work in pairs. Say what you would recommend your partner to do before/after/on/in/at doing something. Use a gerund, a gerundial phrase or a gerundial construction as adverbial modifier of time preceded by the prepositions. If necessary use a perfect gerund to emphasize the idea of priority. Let your partner reply using a gerund, a gerundial phrase or a gerundial construction as adverbial modifier of time.

MODEL: I think you should do your morning exercises before having breakfast. – Well, that’s a good idea. I usually do it after having a light breakfast.

Suggested variants:

1. to have a big breakfast 2. to go to bed

3. to do one’s home assignment 4. to read up for an Exam

5. to dust the furniture 6. to buy a new car

7. to choose one’s career 8. to leave the house

9. to have a shower 10. to book an air ticket

11. to go to a play 12. to listen to an English tape

Exercise 107. Work in pairs. Imagine that you are a caller. Ask your partner what he usually does before/after/on giving a call to someone. Make up a complete sentence and use an adverbial modifier of time expressed by a gerund, a gerundial phrase or a gerundial construction.

MODEL: What do you usually do before making a call to someone? – Before giving a call I usually check the number.

1. before	making a call to somebody? making a call from a telephone box? hanging up?
2. after	dialing someone’s phone number? your call being answered?
3. on	hearing the ringing tone which means that the line is free? hearing engaged tone? dialing the wrong number? taking up the receiver? answering the telephone? realizing that the telephone is dead?
4. at	hearing that one wants to speak to your mother/father/sister, etc.? hearing that the person you are calling is out at the moment? not hearing the person you are calling? hearing that the person you are calling is on the other line? hearing some background noise interfering?

Suggested variants:

1. to check the number; 2. to lift the receiver/to take up the receiver/to pick up the receiver; 3. to listen for the dialing tone (a continuous purring); 4. to redial; 5. to dial carefully and allow the dial return freely; 6. to wait for another tone; 7. to try again a few minutes later; 8. to replace the receiver at the end of the call/to hang up; 9. to drop a coin piece into the slot; 10. to wait until one’s call is answered; 11. to give one’s name; 12. to ask one to put him/her on the line; 13. to ask one to hold on for a moment; 14. to say «May I speak to...?» «Can I speak to...?» «May I have a word with...?» 15. to ask to speak up; 16. to leave a message; 17. to ask one to take a message; 18. to call back later; 19. to apologize for dialing the wrong number/having troubled (bothered) a person

Exercise 108. Read the English sentences. Point out the gerundial construction used as adverbial modifier of time. Choose the corresponding Russian sentence.

1. After his taking a few steps towards her she looked up and spoke again.

a) После того как он сделал несколько шагов в ее сторону, она подняла голову и снова заговорила.

b) После его нескольких шагов в ее сторону она подняла голову и снова заговорила.

с) После него, когда он сделал несколько шагов в ее сторону, она подняла голову и снова заговорила.

2. Before Jane taking her final decision to dance in the ballet her part was given to another ballet dancer.

a) Дo этого Джейн приняла окончательное решение танцевать в балете, но ее роль была передана другой балерине.

b) До того как Джейн приняла окончательное решение танцевать в балете, ее роль была передана другой балерине.

c) До Джейн принятие окончательного решения танцевать в балете было возложено на другую балерину.

3. After their testing the tool it was sent to the exhibition.

a) После проверки прибор был отправлен на выставку

b) После них прибор проверили и отправили на выставку

c) После того как они проверили прибор, его отправили на выставку.

4. Before the car starting I had to ask to give me a push.

a) Прежде чем машина завелась, я вынужден был попросить, чтобы меня подтолкнули.

b) Перед стартом машины я вынужден был попросить, чтобы меня подтолкнули.

c) Сначала машина пошла, но я вынужден был попросить, чтобы меня подтолкнули.

Exercise 109. Translate the sentences into English. Use a gerund, a gerundial phrase or a gerundial construction as adverbial modifier of time.

1. Получив записку от друга, он сразу позвонил ему. 2. Когда я услышал знакомый голос, я почувствовал волнение. 3. Перед поездкой на юг купи новые очки от солнца (а new pair of sunglasses) и купальник. 4. Увидев букет цветов, она все поняла. 5. С тех пор как мы посмотрели этот спектакль, мы не были в этом театре. 6. Когда поднимаешься в горы, надо быть очень осторожным. 7. После того как он изучил английский, она давала ему уроки французского. 8. Переехав в деревню, она пошла учиться в сельскую школу. 9. При заполнении анкеты (to fill in a questionnaire) надо давать точную информацию. 10. Когда я вижу их вместе, я радуюсь. 11. С момента окончания им Лондонского университета (to complete a degree at the University of London) я видел его в Лондоне дважды. 12. Когда она готовится к концертам (to practise for concerts), она проводит много времени на репетициях. 13. Перед сном я люблю выпить горячего молока. 14. Мы очень устали после поездки на озеро. 15. Встав на стул, она повесила (to put up) занавеску. 16. Прежде чем делать ремонт в квартире, продумайте интерьер (the interior).