2015-02-18
1471
Though coinciding in form with the non-perfect active gerund, the verbal noun differs from the gerund in that it is not a verb and has no verbal features. It shouldn’t be confused with the gerund the following reasons:
| Being a form of the verb: the gerund | Being a noun: the verbal noun | |
| 1. has the verbal categories of voice and perfect. | 1. has no verbal categories. | |
| I don’t mind being dropped at a cafe. Я не против того, чтобы меня высадили у кафе. They suspect him of having broken into the house at night. Его подозревают в том, что он ночью проник в дом. | ||
| 2. cannot be used with an article. | 2. can be used with an article. | |
| a) She noticed the instant tensing of his shoulders. Она заметила, как у него внезапно напряглись плечи. b) Edward’s appearance underwent a hasty tidying. Внешность Эдварда была быстро приведена в порядок. | ||
| 3. has no category of number. | 3. has the category of number like any noun: can be used in the plural. | |
| He laughed at the prisoner’s sufferings. Он смеялся над страданиями заключенного. | ||
| 4. can take a direct object (the gerund of transitive verbs). | 4. can take only a prepositional object. | |
| We should avoid injuring the feelings of others.Надо избегать того, чтобы делать людям больно. | The crossing of the bridgetook us a long time. У нас ушло много времени, чтобы перейти мост. | |
| 5. can be modified by an adverb. | 5. can be modified by an adjective. | |
| She burst out crying bitterly. Она горько расплакалась. | She could feel the steady beating of his heart. Она чувствовала ровное биение его сердца. | |
Exercise 147. Point out the gerunds and the verbal nouns.
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MODEL: We watched the incomings and outgoings of the tide. Incomings and outgoings are verbal nouns as they are used in the plural and with an article.
I like giving presents. Giving presents is a gerundial phrase. The gerund giving takes a direct object.
1. I felt as if the stopping of the clock stopped time in that mysterious place. 2. Wallingford is an ancient town and has been an active centre for the making of English history. 3. You are mistaken in supposing me a beggar. 4. I’m very grateful to you for helping my parents. 5. At first he determined to go to bed again but when he thought of the redressing and rewashing and the having of another bath, he determined he wouldn’t. 6. As for Nelly, she watched the incomings and outgoings of Prince Albert with a kingly interest. 7. A gull jolted Sally into an awareness of the passing of time. 8. He could hear the slamming of a door. 9. They were awakened by the sudden ringing of the phone. 10. I can’t bear your slamming the door like that. 11. She noticed the instant tensing of his shoulders. 12. The only sound was the faint whirring of the antiquated central heating fan. 13. He felt for the first time the subtle stirring of a true love. 14. Edward’s appearance had undergone a hasty tidying. 15. His proposal was encouraged, no doubt, by considerable batting of those alluring dark lashes. 16. Only the gentle ticking of the grandfather clock broke the silence. 17. Washing the children and cleaning the flat took her a lot of time.
