The Gerund as Adverbial Modifier

Owing to the variety of prepositions which may precede the gerund in the function of an adverbial modifier, a gerund may have different meanings.

1) As an adverbial modifier of time it may characterize the main verb from the viewpoint of priority, simultaneity, or posteriority. It may also indicate the starting point of the action. The prepositions used are after, in, before, since.

One day, on returning to his hotel, he found a note in his room. At first he couldn't understand.

After thinking it over he hit upon the explanation.

2) As an adverbial modifier of reason it is introduced by the prepositions because of, for, from, for fear of, on account of.

So you see I couldn't sleep for worrying.

We lost ourselves through not knowing the way.

3) As an adverbial modifier of manner the gerund generally occurs with the prepositions by or without.

You will achieve a lot by telling the truth.

She dressed without making a sound.

4) As an adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances it requires the preposition without.

They danced without speaking.

The door opened without having been knocked on.

5) As an adverbial modifier of concession it is preceded by the preposition in spite of:

I don't ask any questions in spite of there being a lot of questions to ask.

6) As an adverbial modifier of condition it takes the prepositions without, but for, in case of.

You won't enrich your vocabulary without making use of an Englishdictionary.

But for meeting John, I shouldn't have become an English teacher.

7) As an adverbial modifier of purpose it is introduced by the preposition for, though this pattern is rather rare.

They took her to the station for questioning.

Вправи на закріплення теоретичного матеріалу.

Exercise 1. (Каушанская, с. 126). Insert the appropriate forms of the gerund.

1. Stark sat down witout speaking.

Exercise 2. (Каушанская, с. 127). Point out the gerundial constructions and comment on their elements.

1. You must excuse my being so breathless, I’m not really breathless, it’s just the excitement. My – a possessive pronoun, being – non-perfect gerund, active.

Exercise 4. (Каушанская, с. 129). State the function of the gerund or gerundial constructions and translate into Ukrainian.

1. Nobody can go on living without some belief. – a part of a compound verbal modal aspect predicate. Ніхто не може продовжувати жити без віри.

Exercise 5. (Каушанская, с. 131). Insert the prepositions.

1. I hated the idea of your going.

Зразок контрольної роботи.

Use the appropriate form of the Gerund and insert prepositions where necessary:

1. Newton, the famous scientist, was sometimes,engaged (to work out) difficult problems.
2. There's no question (to forgive) you," he said quickly.
3. Of course, I should insist (to pay) for my work.
4. I wonder if there's any use (to try) to improve him.
5. We began to speak only when we were out (to hear) of the old man.
6. I insist (to go) there at once.
7. We all suspected him (to learn) it before and (to try) to conceal it from us.
8. They were all busy (to unpack) the books and (to put) them on the shelves.
9. (to hear) the news she ran over to the telephone to inform Gerald at once.
10. But (to make) this request Mr. Dennant avoided (to look) in his face. banister. Comment on the functions of the Gerund in the following sentences:

1. Looking after children requires patience.
2. It is no use discussing it now, we must act.
3. It was no good taking the little darling up to town, she got only tired.
4. Seeing is be­lieving.
5. What he loves best in the world is playing football.
6. The main thing to do in this situation is getting away as soon as possible.
7. The car began moving away down the road.
8. Every second he kept glancing at the clock.
9. The kind woman started crying before the boy had finished his sad story.
10. However hard he tried he could not stop thinking about it.

Use the appropriate form of the Gerund. Insert prepositions where necessary:

1. Now I can boast (to see) Rome and London, Paris and Athens.

2. How did you like the English rule (to drive) on the left side of the road instead of the right?

3. I hate (to be) ill and (to stay) in bed.

4. We all kissed Mother (to go) to bed.

5. I'm not used (to receive) Christmas presents.

6. At every school she went to she learned drawing, besides (to teach) by her father at home.

7. My wife and I look forward (to see)' you and Rosa.

8. The children had to help (to sweep) and (to clean) the rooms and (to wash up) after meals.

9. The doctor left three different medicines with instructions (to give) them.

10. You can improve your pronunciation (to read) aloud.

Translate these sentences into English, using the Gerund:

1. Зайшовши в кімнату ми побачили незнайому дівчину.

2. Будинок треба пофарбувати.

3. Вона запропонувала відвідати музей ще раз.

4. Я ніколи не забуду поїздку до цього мальовничого міста.

5. Вони почали сперечатися не звертаючи уваги на присутніх.

6. Вчитель звинуватив хлопця в ігноруванні його вказівок.

7. Її подив при появленні брата був непідробним.

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