After the verbs come and go we often use the Gerund related to outdoor activities: climbing, driving, fishing, riding, sailing, shopping, skiing, walking, etc.
□ Why don't you come sailing with us?
□ Let's go skiing!
The following verbs always have a direct object: catch, find, notice, observe, see.
□ I'd better not catch you doing that again!
It is necessary to distinguish two particularly confusing verb phrases, used to and be used to.
Used to + Infinitive
Used to + Infinitive refers to habitual action in the past, and used to can not be followed by a noun (or a gerund):
□ When I was in England, I used to eat a big breakfast.
Used to is a fixed idiom and is not used in any other tense.
Be used to + noun/gerund
The phrase is parallel in structure to to be interested in, and it is possible to put a noun after to:
□ I'm used to his curious ways.
□ I'm used to hearing about the odd things he does.
The verb to be in to be used to can be
used in any appropriate tense. To be used to suggests familiarity through a repetition of the activitity or occurrence; it does not state the existence of a habit as such.
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EXERCISES
Ex. 1. Translate the sentences from English into Russian.
I. (A)
I. Could you please stop making so much noise? 2.1 don't enjoy writing letters. 3. Does your work involve meeting a lot of people? 4.1 considered taking the job but in the end I decided against it. 5. If you walk into the road without looking you risk being knocked down by a car. 6.1 don't fancy going out this evening. 7. The batteries of this radio need changing. 8. Do you think the grass needs cutting? 9. Before going out I phoned Ann. 10. Tom left without finishing his dinner. 11.1 wonder what prevented him from coming to the party. 12. The arrested man was suspected of breaking into houses. 13. Have you ever thought of getting married? 14. I had difficulty in finding a place to live. 15. Do you think this book is worth reading?
II. (B, C)
1. This habit of discussing other people's affairs may damage reputations and ruin friendships.
2. Well, don't go if you don't feel like going but for God's sake stop talking about it. 3. Can't you see how perfectly useless it is trying to save the shop now? 4. I see no harm in letting them enjoy themselves in vacation time. 5. So you like the part and want to play it. But is it worth going to such lengths to get it? 6. He was only thanking me for taking his part at lunch. 7. Once he gets elected there will be no holding him. 8. You can't learn to skate without falling. 9. It's no use trying to make you see my point. 10. It's different for you. You're used to walking. 11. As to me, I simply love cooking. 12. My job is not teaching you manners. 13. She can't stand being contradicted. 14. She washed her face and combed her hair before going downstairs again. 15. Of course I'll go. I'd go any place if there's the slightest chance of getting this job.
Ex. 2. Fill in the blanks with prepositions where necessary.
I. (A, B)
I. She only succeeded ... blocking the way. 2. She showed no intention ... leaving. 3. There is no point... staying. 4. He did not object... being examined. 5.1 was not used ... driving a big car through crowded streets. 6. She was surprisingly clever... finding out things. 7. How can I prevent her... going there? 8.1 was thinking at the time ... selling the place. 9.1 can find that out... asking. 10. After all I'm personally responsible ... bringing you back safe and sound. 11. They positively insisted ... visiting all the rooms. 12. What are your reasons to accuse her ... taking the papers? 13. Everything depends ... being on the spot. 14. I thanked him again ... lending me the car.
II. (C)
1. Jones insisted ... shaking hands. 2. I take all the blame ... not seeing further than my nose. 3. Unfortunately I haven't succeeded ... making much impression on you. 4. He made a point... never sounding disappointed. 5. His mission had very little to do ... winning the war. 6. He had never had much difficulty ... getting jobs. The trouble had always been ... keeping them. 7. She thanked him ... taking her out. 8. He did not object... seeing Francis. 9.1 shall look forward ... seeing your book. 10.1 thought... taking atrip up the Scandinavian coast. 11. Jack hesitated, then decided ... talking. 12.1 told him that we were about to be turned out of our flat... not paying the rent. 13. Quite late, when he was on the point... going
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upstairs, the door bell rang. 14. He put the note under a saucer on the table to keep it... blowing away.
Ex. 3. (A) Match the parts of sentences in A and В columns.
1
2
3
4
5,
6.
7.
It's difficult to keep them
The police caught him
Will you, please, stop
I can hear someone
They left us
I could smell smoke
The searchers found the boy
a. sheltering in the barn.
b. coming from the house.
с opening the safe.
d. thinking about the problem.
e. working all the time.
f. shouting in the distance.
g. changing TV channels.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| e |
Ex. 4. (A, B) Supply Gerund forms for the words in brackets.
I
1. The baby started crying when he woke up, and went on (cry) all the morning. 2. He didn't want to lose any more money, so he gave up (play) cards. 3. Imagine (keep) a snake as a pet! 4. Please go on (write); I don't mind waiting. 5. He offered to buy my old car, if I didn't mind (wait) a month for the money. 6. The taxi-driver tried to stop in time, but he couldn't avoid (hit) the old woman. 7. At first I enjoyed (listen) to him, but after a while I got tired of hearing the same story again and again. 8. My. watch keeps (stop). - That's because you keep (forget) to wind it up. 9.1 suggest (telephone) the hospitals before asking the police to look for him.
II
1. Where is Ann? - She is busy (do) her homework. 2. Let's go for a swim. - What about (go) for a drive instead? 3.1 intended to go to the cinema yesterday, but my friend told me the film wasn't worth (see). 4. Try to forget it; it isn't worth (worry) about. 5. When I came he was busy (write) a letter to his friend. 6. Do you feel like (go) to a film or shall we stay at home? 7. It's no use (have) a bicycle if you don't know how to ride it. 8. It's no use (ask) children to keep quiet. They can't help (make) noise. 9. Mr Shaw is very busy (write) his memoirs. 10. There are people who can't help (laugh) when they see someone slip on a banana skin. 11.1 didn't feel like (work) so I suggested spending the day in the country. 12. What about (buy) double quantities of everything today?
III. (B, C)
1. My father thinks I am not capable of (earn) my own living. 2.1 am tired of (do) the same thing all the time. 3.1 tried to convince him that I was perfectly capable of (manage) on my own, but he insisted on (help) me. 4. There was no way of (get) out of the building. 5. He didn't leave the house because he was afraid of (meet) someone who would recognize him. 6. I called at his house on the chance of (see) him. 7. There is no point in (remain) in a dangerous place if you can't do anything to help the people. 8. What's your idea of (do) it? 9. He expects me to answer by return but I have no intention of (reply) at all. 10. I'm not used
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to (drive) on the left. 11.1 want to catch the 7 a.m. train tomorrow. - But you are no good at (get) up early, are you?
IV. (B, C)
1. By (neglect) to take ordinary precautions he endangered the life of his crew. 2. After (hear) the conditions I* decided not to enter for the competition. 3. After (walk) for three hours we stopped to let the others catch up with us. 4. Don't forget to lock the door before (go) to bed. 5. Why did you go all round the field instead of (walk) across it? 6. He surprised us all by (go) away without (say) "Good-bye". 7. Before (give) evidence you must swear to speak the truth. 8. She rushed out of the room without (give) me a chance to explain.
Ex. 5. (B) Open the brackets using the Gerund.
Model: His hair is very long, it needs cutting.
1. This shirt is quite clean; it doesn't want (wash) yet. 2. The grass in the garden is very dry; it wants (water) badly. 3. The baby's crying; I think he needs (feed). 4. The house is old, and it badly wants (paint). 5. The windows are very dirty; they need (clean). 6.1 know my hair wants (cut) but I never have time to go to the hairdresser's. 7. The famous man didn't need (introduce) himself. 8. Her shoes have a hole in them; they want (mend). 9. The floor is covered with dust; it needs (sweep). 10. You should tidy the room. - Yes, it needs (tidy). The flowers want (water), and the shelves want (dust).
Ex. 6. (B) Open the brackets using the correct form of the Gerund.
I. He remembered (cross) the road, but he didn't remember (knock down). 2. I am still
hungry in spite of (eat) four sandwiches. 3. He got into the house by (climb) through a
window, without (see) by anyone. 4. He woke up at 7 a.m. in spite of (work) late. 5. He
complained of (give) a very small room at the back of the hotel. 6. The little girl isn't afraid of
dogs in spite of (bite) twice. 7. The baby went to sleep a few minutes after (feed). 8. The
little girl never gets tired of (ask) her mother questions, but her mother often gets tired of
(ask) so many questions. 9. Mary was pleasantly surprised at (choose) to fill that vacancy.
10.1 always treat people politely and I insist on (treat) politely. 11. The boy was very thirsty in
spite of (drink) a big cup of tea.
Ex. 7. Fill in the blanks choosing between the Infinitive or Gerund of the verb in brackets.
I- (A, B)
1.1 wished ... quite fair, (be) 2.1 expected ... him in the drawing room, (find) 3.1 enjoyed ... to her talk of her youth, (listen) 4. Roger promised ... in. (look) 5.1 wanted ... him up. (cheer) 6. She didn't mind ... the problem again, (discuss) 7. He didn't hesitate ... such methods. (employ) 8. We arranged ... . (meet). 9. She couldn't resist... such a lovely hat. (buy) 10. Last week you mentioned ... him in the park, (meet) 11. We can't afford ... our time. (waste) 12. He sat there sullenly and refused ... (answer) 13. He stopped ... and went into the bathroom, (whistle) 14. You certainly mustn't miss... this wonderful film, (see)
II. (B, C)
1. He enjoyed ... (to need) 2. Willy began :.. softly, (to whistle) 3. In my experience most people mind ... at. (to laugh) 4.1 don't suppose your wife wants ... with me now. (to bother)
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5.1 knew that Charles had regretted ... me. (to invite) 6. He pretended ... when his mother came into his room to look at him. (to sleep) 7. He pretended not... as if the compliment were purely formal, (to hear) 8. He prefers ... by the name of John Brown, (to know) 9.1 don't like ... with, (to interfere) 10.1 set about... all the names from the diary, (to erase)
11. Bob asked ... to a room where he could wash and change his clothes, (to show) 12.1
disliked ... Harry, (to call) 13. We stopped in front of the dance hall and pretended ... inside.
(to look) 14. Maurice sat on the bench, with the picture on his knee, as though he would not
risk... from it. (to part) 15.1 didn't want...,his feelings, (to hurt)
Ex. 8. (B) Replace the italicised parts of the sentence or clauses by gerundial phrases.