13. A child should start (learn) a language at primary school.
14. The film was so terrifying that she could hardly bear (watch) it.
15. The new committee member did not venture (speak) at his first meeting.
16. They began (drive) at six in the morning, and were still on the road ten hours later.
17. He remembered (pass) on most of the information, but omittted (mention) one or two of the most important facts.
18. The reporters asked many questions which the Prime Minister declined (answer).
1.4 THE GERUNDIAL CONSTRUCTION
In the examples discussed the subject of the main verb is also the subject of the Gerund, but there are cases when the Gerund is related to its own "subject", expressed by a noun or pronoun.
□ We appreciate your helping us.
Мы (высоко) ценим вашу помощь (то, что вы помогли). О We enjoyed the band's playing very much.
Нам очень понравилось то, как играл оркестр. A gerundial construction is nearly always rendered in Russian by a clause, generally introduced by " то , что ''/" тем , что "/" как ".
285
The nominal element of the construction can be expressed in different ways:
1. If it denotes a living being it may be expressed by a possessive pronoun or a noun in the
possessive case.
□ Do you mind my smoking?
□ Our talk was prevented by Richard's coming back.
When the nominal element consists of two or more nouns, possessive case is not used.
□ I object to Mary and Jane going out on such a windy day.
2. If the nominal element denotes a lifeless thing it is expressed by a noun in the common
case.
□ I said something about my clock being slow.
□ Her thoughts were interrupted by the door opening gently.
Ex. 21. (A, B) Translate the sentences from English into Russian.
1. We appreciate John's helping us. 2.1 can't imagine my mother approving it. 3. They resented my winning the prize. 4.1 think that's enough to start her worrying. 5.1 can't excuse her not answering our invitation. 6.1 can't bear his interfering with what I do. 7. Would you mind my smoking? 8. Fancy her appearing at that very moment! 9.1 really miss his playing the piano in the evening. 10. Excuse my asking, but does everyone in your family approve of your flying? 11. Your coming has done him good. 12. I wonder at Jolyon's allowing the engagement. 13.1 understand perfectly your wanting to leave. 14.1 didn't object to other people being there.
Ex. 22. (A) Match the parts of sentences in A and В columns.
1. We very much appreciate
2. He strongly denied
3. We enjoyed
4. The chairman suggested 5.1 agreed to delay
6. He should consider
my leaving till next day. their meeting that afternoon. her taking more responsibility. the band's playing very much. our postponing the question.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| f |
Ex. 23. (A) Study the sentences, paying special attention to the italicized pronouns and nouns followed by Gerunds.
1. I'm not very friendly with him, so I was surprised by his asking me to dinner. 2. The thieves broke into the shop without anyone seeing them. 3. He doesn't mind his daughter going to the cinema once a week. 4. It is difficult to stop George talking once he begins.
Ex. 24. (B) Write the following sentences again, using Gerunds.
Model 1: The children are making such a noise.
Can you stop them making such a noise?
286
Model 2: Students must write their corrections carefully. The teacher insists on ....
The teacher insists on the students' writing their corrections carefully. 1.1 told you that my watch was five minutes slow. Have you forgotten ...? 2. He allows his son to drive his car. He doesn't mind ... . 3. No one helped her with her homework. She did her homework without.... 4. He got my letter although I had addressed it wrongly. He got my letter in spite of... .5.1 beat him at tennis, and he wasn't pleased at all. He hated ....6. Did you give me back the book I lent you? I can't remember.... 7. She was afraid that the baby would fall out of the bed. She was afraid of.... 8. The old lady said I could open the window. She didn't mind .... 9. I'm sure he asked you not to phone after 11 p.m. Have you forgotten ... ? 10 He doesn't believe that a boy of twelve should have too much pocket-money. He doesn't believe in .... 11. My father doesn't like me to stay out late at night. He doesn't like ....
Ex. 25. (В, С) Translate the sentences from Russian into English using gerundial phrases.
1. Я слышал о том, что он назначен директором большого завода. 2. Я не возражаю против того, чтобы они приехали сюда. 3. Я помню, что он мне говорил об этом несколько дней тому назад. 4. Я настаиваю на том, чтобы вы ответили им немедленно. 5. Я слышал о том, что его посылают на юг. 6. Вы можете рассчитывать на то, что он даст вам точную информацию. 7. Нет надежды, что он закончит свою работу к вечеру. 8. Извините, что я позвонил вам вчера так поздно. 9. Вы не возражаете против того, чтобы я прочел этот рассказ вслух? 10. Вы ничего не имеете против того, чтобы я курил здесь? 11. Мы настаивали на том, чтобы они начали переговоры немедленно.