The adverbial modifier of reason

In this function the gerund is introduced by the prepositions because of, for, from, for fear of, on account of, through, owing to.

What would people think of me for letting her go? Что бы подумали обо мне люди из-за того, что я отпустила ее?

She and Penny didn’t even mention her in Edward’s presence for fear of turning the knife in the wound. Ни она, ни Пенни даже не упоминали ее в присутствии Эдуарда, так как боялись сыпать соль на рану.

Exercise 110. Point out the gerund, the gerundial phrase or the gerundial construction used as adverbial modifier of reason. Note the prepositions preceding the adverbial modifier of reason. Translate the sentences into Russian.

MODEL: What will you do with him for deceiving her? Что ты сделаешь с ним за то, что он обманывает ее? ( из-за того, что ...)

1. Не can’t understand her for not telling him the truth. 2. They didn’t mention it for fear of offending him. 3. I couldn’t explain anything to him because of him being very nervous. 4. The administration refused to pay the salary on account of the miners’ being on strike. 5. They cancelled the train owing to the railway being blocked. 6. Fred got into trouble through his competitor cheating him. 7. He retired last month because of his mother being very ill. 8. The child looked neglected and unloved but not only from being dressed in rags. 9. The witness says that he couldn’t let the man in on account of his being a stranger. 10. Because of his spending a bomb (to spend a bomb on... тратить очень много денег на...) on restaurants and taxies his family couldn’t save any money. 11. Mary couldn’t prepare dinner for having no food at home. 12. Drugs are condemned by society for being a great danger! 13. We managed to solve the problem because of Sid and his parents supporting us. 14. He felt awkward for being late at work every morning. 15. She hid the fact from her parents for fear of being punished.

Exercise 111. Paraphrase the sentences. Use a gerund, a gerundial phrase or a gerundial construction as adverbial modifier of reason.

MODEL: They didn’t arrive in Madrid because they had missed the train. – They didn’t arrive in Madrid for having missed the train.

1. He didn’t find his wallet as he couldn’t remember where he had put it. 2. Ann’s husband couldn’t buy a house because he went bankrupt. 3. Mary was often late for work because her alarm-clock was out of order. 4. Frank managed to find a good job for his ex-boss gave him good advice. 5. They didn’t keep a dog because they were scared that it may hurt their child. 6. He has good information about hotels because he always stays in hotels when travelling. 7. Ellen always arrives on time as her husband gives her a lift. 8. Pete had an earache because he had a cold in the head. 9. Very few students answered the question but not because it was too difficult. 10. John didn’t come to the party for he had to look after his granny. 11. Simon was fired because he was completely incompetent. 12. She didn’t like to go out in the evenings as she was afraid to meet a drunkard.

Exercise 112. How can you account for the following events? Use an adverbial modifier of reason expressed by a gerund, a gerundial phrase or a gerundial construction. Choose the proper preposition: for, for fear of, because of, owing to, on account of.

Suggested variants:

1.to have no car 7. to be not well paid

2.to see the play 8. to feel exhausted

3.to miss the train 9. to be ill (the dentist)

4.to have a car accident 10. to be out of order

5.to be very busy 11. to be conservative

6.to have a headache 12. not to keep one’s promise

1. Laura went to bed early.

2. Fred is pressed for money.

3. John has to walk to the supermarket.

4. Andrew refused to go to the play.

5. Nora failed to come on time.

6. Charles failed to have an appointment with the dentist.

7. Claudia failed to give her friend a ring.

8. Mr. Black couldn’t go on holiday.

9. Dick can’t be very much help to his son.

10. She can’t put up with noisy kids.

11. Harry didn’t get a telephone call from his partner.

12. He’s slow to respond to new ideas.

Exercise 113. Reply to the following questions. Use an adverbial modifier of reason expressed by a gerund, a gerundial phrase or a gerundial construction.

A

What

do does

elderly people weak people a coward

avoid to do

for fear of for because of

slipping on ice? falling down? getting cold? catching cold? being deceived? being robbed? being beaten? (them) not being able to pay back? them being too heavy?

Suggested variants:

1. to go out alone (in winter) 5. to put up curtains

2. to do the shopping 6. to let a room to a stranger

3. to borrow money 7. to fight a hooligan

4. to lift heavy things

B

Why are little children easily frightened

when you switch off the light? when you leave them alone? when they watch a horror film? when you teach them to ride a bike? when you teach them to swim?

Suggested variants:

1. for being afraid to stay alone

2. for being afraid of staying in a dark room

3. for being afraid of seeing horrible monsters

4. for being afraid of falling down

5. for being afraid of drowning

Exercise 114. Choose the corresponding Russian sentence.

1. The child couldn’t sleep for his parents having a party.

a) Ребенок не спал, так как у родителей были гости.

b) Ребенок не спал, чтобы родители провели время с гостями.

c) Ребенок не спал из-за гостей, которые были у родителей.

2. Owing to her spending a lot of money on clothes her husband went bankrupt.

a) Благодаря ей и большим затратам на одежду ее муж разорился.

b) Из-за того, что она тратила много денег на одежду, ее муж разорился.

c) Благодаря ей затраты на одежду были велики, и ее муж разорился.

3. Because of the course being long they refused to take it.

a) Так как курсы были продолжительными, они отказались посещать их.

b) Из-за курсов, которые были продолжительными, они отказались принять это.

c) Они отказались посещать продолжительные курсы.

4. On account of the committee having supported the company the staff got out of that difficult situation.

а) Из-за поддержки комитета фирма и ее сотрудники вышли из трудного положения.

b) Так как комитет поддержал фирму, ее сотрудники вышли из трудного положения.

с) Благодаря комитету, поддерживающему фирму, сотрудники вышли из трудного положения.

Exercise 115. Translate the sentences into English. Use a gerund, a gerundial phrase or a gerundial construction as adverbial modifier of reason.

1. Он никогда не ходил в этот клуб, так как входная плата (the cover charge) была очень высокой. 2. Я не ездил к ним, потому что не находил времени для этого. 3. Они не хотели слушать ее бесконечные истории о романах, потому что у них не хватало терпения (to have the patience). 4. Дик не любил скоростные (fast) автомобили, так как боялся попасть в аварию (to have an accident). 5. Его никогда не приглашали на обед, так как он был дурно воспитан. 6. Мистер Леном был назначен менеджером компании, так как он заботился (look after) только об ее интересах. 7. Она купила в аптеке аспирин, так как боялась заболеть. 8. Она не любила проводить вечера дома с мужем, потому что он все время валялся на диване. 9. Нам посоветовали купить эту путевку (a boat excursion) на острова, так как в стоимость путевки входил (to be included on the excursion) и обед. 10. Его родители не хотят покупать ему ролики (rollerblades) из страха, что он упадет и сломает ногу. 11. Ее сестра никогда не путешествует морем, потому что боится, что ее укачает (to feel sick). 12. У него вчера была небольшая авария (to have a little accident), так как он проехал на красный свет (to drive on a red light). 13. Пришлось ехать в аэропорт на такси, потому что у мужа сломалась (to break down) машина.