The gerundial construction

Complete the sentences with the Gerund or the Infinitive of the verbs in brackets, using the correct form of any pronouns that are included

III.

II

1. She forgot (bring) the sugar; she left it on the kitchen table. 2. Where is my dictionary? Have you forgotten (borrow) it a fortnight ago? 3. She often told her little boy, "You must never forget (say) "please" and "thank you". 4. Why are you late again? Have you forgotten (promise) me that you would never be late again?

1. Do stop (talk); I am trying to finish a letter. 2. I didn't know how to get to your house so I stopped (ask) the way. 3. We stopped once (buy) petrol and then we stopped again (ask) someone the way.

a) If the Government's wages policy is to succeed, they must try (keep) prices in check.

b) The shareholders all think they know what should be done, but the board still needs (convince).

c) Let's invite him. I'm sure he would love (come).

d) Someone in the office had made a mistake, and the firm regretted (cause) the customer inconvenience.

e) We plan (take) our holidays abroad this year.

f) The teacher doesn't permit (smoke) during the lessons.

g) I vaguely remember (he, say) something like that.

h) Come over here! I'd like (you, see) this.

i) I always try (be) punctual, but I don't always succeed.

j) It's a tricky problem. I recommend (you, consult) an expert.

k) He'd prefer (you, go) to his place, if that's convenient.

l) For the second time this year Miss Black will attempt (swim) the Channel in less than five hours.

m) A child should start (learn) a language at primary school.

n) The film was so terrifying that she could hardly bear (watch) it.

o) The new committee member did not venture (speak) at his first meeting.

p) They began (drive) at six in the morning, and were still on the road ten hours later.

q) He remembered (pass) on most of the information, but omittted (mention) one or two of the most important facts.

r) The reporters asked many questions which the Prime Minister declined (answer).

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).

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".

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.

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