Adverbial modifier

а) of time

In this syntactic function gerunds are preceded by the prepositions after, before, on (upon), in, at, since (the perfect forms of the gerund are not, as a rule, used in this syntactic function as the prepositions show the time correlation of the action denoted by the gerund and that denoted by the finite form of the verb):

After waiting all that dark November morning in the overcrowded surgery, Milly had in the end seen the exhausted young doctor.

On entering the dark alley she stopped puzzled.

At seeing the roses Judy felt herself absolutely happy.

She has been sad since receiving this letter.

The preposition after shows that the action or state denoted by the Gerund precedes those of the finite verb; the preposition before shows that the action or state denoted by the finite verb precedes those of the Gerund; the prepositions on and upon are used to show a succession of actions; the preposition at shows that the actions or states denoted by the Gerund are almost simultaneous with those expressed by the finite verb; the preposition in shows that action or state denoted by the finite verb took place while the action denoted by the Gerund was carried out. The preposition since shows the starting point of the action denoted by the finite verb.

b) of manner

In this syntactic function gerunds are preceded by the prepositions by, in:

By creeping into the furthermost corner, Milly found а little protection from the spray.

She spent the whole day in cleaning and scrubbing.

с) of attendant circumstances

In this syntactic function gerunds are preceded by the preposition without, besides, in addition to, instead of:

And without waiting for an answer she darted off into the damp, windowless cavern.

Besides trying to become a writer she also worked with a small law firm.

You’d better think it over instead of arguing.

d) of purpose

The gerund is used to speak about the purpose in general. In this syntactic function gerunds are preceded by the preposition for:

Half-glasses hung around her neck, for reading the menu.

е) of condition

In this syntactic function gerunds are preceded by the preposition without or the phrase in case of:

I can’t defend this case without telling the truth.

In case of changing your plans, please, inform us immediately.

f) of cause

In this syntactic function gerunds are preceded by the prepositions for, for fear of, owing to, because of, through:

For fear of making the same mistake again she avoided their company.

He was desperate because of the weather, of losing his way, of night coming so fast.

But I came to it at last through pursuing the rule I have just mentioned.

(A. Christie)

g) of concession

In this syntactic function gerunds denote some obstacles in spite of which the action of the finite form is carried out and are preceded by the preposition in spite of, despite:

In spite of being exhausted and hungry she went on walking along the crowded street.

Despite sending his applications regularly, he couldn’t get a job.

Дата добавления: 2015-09-02