Bl.

Gerund Exercises
Exercise 28F. Read the following sentences paying attention to the syntactical function of the gerund.
Translate them into Russian.
1. Swimming against the current was difficult. 2. Thinking always made him sleepy. 3."Lots of people
act well", answered the Miller, "but very few people talk well which shows that talking is much the more
difficult thing of the two". 4. "Your voice is quite like a croak and croaking is of course the most musical
sound in the world", said the Frog. 5. It's no use talking like that to me. 6. "There is no good talking to him",
said the boy. 7. It's no use crying over spilt milk. 8. It's no good trying to persuade him. 9. I guessed what he
had intended asking me. 10. She took my hand and kept on laughing. 11. One of my mother's greatest
pleasures was holding court while admirers revolved about her. 12. The only way to do it quickly is doing it
at once. 13. One of the quickest ways of travelling is going by plane. 14. I should enjoy examining that at
some time later. 15. She searched her mind for a bit because she always really liked knowing what she was
going to do instead of doing it first and wondering why she had done it afterwards. 16. I remember once won-
dering whether she was a cripple. 17. While I am weak from hunger he suffers not a little from overfeeding.
18. We had been right in thinking that the original structure dated back to some time before 1066. 19. The
sixteenth century had been the era of building. 20. Instinct told her that their friendship had every chance of
deepening. 21. Were the twins also devoted to her? Well, I had not very much occasion of judging. 22. The
Swallow tried to keep himself warm by flapping his wings. 23. ... he would never go by his garden without
leaning over the wall and plucking a large nosegay. 24. She startled her father by bursting into tears. 25. Do
you know that I always work better after hearing the birds sing? 26. After looking in one or two agreeable
antique shops she found her way to where she wanted to go. 27. On entering the hall he saw that there were
only a few people there. 28. After leaving her coat and hat in the hall she entered the sitting-room. 29. They
found themselves in an awkward position through coming to see their friends so early in the morning. 30. I
dared not come to the funeral for fear of making a fool of myself. 31. The book must not be published without
being looked through by the author. 32. She was not brilliant, not active but rather peaceful and fine without
knowing it. 33. In spite of being a very bright pupil this time he could not cope with the task. 34. This side of
the house was used for dancing. 35. The letter was written for making him keep silence.

Exercise 29F. Read the sentences and state the form and the function of the Gerund. Translate them into
Russian.
1. I like hearing that word. It brings back past memories. 2. All we're doing is getting general infor-
mation. 3. Starting this school had been important to him. 4. The idea seemed ridiculous but she kept on
thinking about it. 5. It's no use pretending it doesn't hurt. 6. Lady Agatha shook her head but couldn't help
being amused. 7. The conference closed after hearing and discussing about eighty reports. 8. I can't help
feeling that it is necessary to put Mister before the name of a total stranger. 9. And what I don't know about
pearls isn't worth knowing. 10. He had every reason for doing it, he looked as if he had done it. 11. Miss
Livingstone started pulling open various drawers in the furniture in Mrs Oliver's so called study and writing-
room. 12. I don't remember coming to your confirmation. 13. The fact of having met you will teach her to
despise her husband. 14. Waiting for the Professor was a lame excuse for doing nothing. 15. ... a great many
people would think me extremely foolish for parting with it. 16. Little Hans nodded and smiled and felt very
proud of having a friend with such noble ideas. 17. He passed by the palace and heard the sound of dancing.
18. A true friend always says unpleasant things and does not mind giving pain. 19. He had spent a whole night
in noting the effect of the moon light on the silver image of Endimion. 20. One certainly suffers for being
generous. 21. I am already learning something about her without seeing her.

Exercise 30F. Use the gerund of the verb in brackets in the active or passive form.
1. (talk) to him was like (play) upon the exquisite violin. 2. It seems awful (plant) myself on you.
3. Then suddenly she stopped (laugh) and frowned. 4. There is no sense in (talk) to him. 5. No one likes
(make) to look a perfect damned fool. 6. I don't mind (tell) you what I do know. 7. We did not mind (ques-
tion) by the police. 8. I really shouldn't dream of (ask) her. 9. He didn't go without (congratulate) by Amy. 10.
The door opened quietly and he went without (say) a word. 11. Even a criminal must be told the nature of his
crime before (convict). 12. The boy is fond of (play) with pebbles. 13. You couldn't look at her without
(strike) by her modesty. 14. The prospect of (spend) a whole week with Michael was enchanting. 15. She
consoled herself by (think) that he loved her as much as he was capable of (love). 16. I hate (bother) with
silly questions. 17. She objected (treat) as if she were a child.
Запомните: После глаголов want, need, deserve, require и сочетания it's worth герундий
употребляется только в действительном залоге, передавая по смыслу пассивное значение.
The blouse needs washing. Блузку надо постирать.

Exercise 31F. Complete the sentences using the gerund of the verb in brackets. Mind the active form.
1. Your hair is very long. It needs (cut). 2. The house looks shabby. It wants (repair). 3. His answer was
very good. The boy deserves (praise). 4. The room is so dirty. It needs (scrub). 5. Our educational system is
out-of-date. It needs (reform). 6. The fence looks so dull. It requires (paint). 7. They say the film is very
boring. It's not worth (see). 8. His behaviour was outrageous. He deserves (punish). 9. The dress is old-
fashioned. It's not worth (buy). 10. There is a hole in this tooth. It needs (fill). 11. That was a brave action. It
certainly deserves (reward). 12. The child is still veiy weak. It needs (look after) more than its elder sister. 13.
Her suggestion is very interesting. It requires (discuss) at the meeting. 14. His remark was veiy witty. It is
worth (quote).

Exercise 32F. Translate the sentences into English following the model of exercise 31F.
1. He стоит обсуждать эту статью. 2. Он нуждается в уходе, как ребенок. 3. Этому дому требу-
ется ремонт. 4. Этот фильм не стоит смотреть. 5. Наше общество нуждается в реформах. 6. Она
работает очень усердно, ее нужно похвалить. 7. Этот роман не стоило переводить на русский язык. 8.
Они делают успехи, их нужно поощрить. 9. Эту выставку стоит посетить. 10. Эта блузка не очень све-
жая, ее нужно постирать. 11. По мнению лорда Генри в Лондоне было только пять женщин, достой-
ных, чтобы с ними разговаривали 12. В комнате беспорядок, ее нужно убрать.

Exercise 33F. Insert the required form of gerund of the verb in brackets. Mind the prepositions.
1. He had that dislike ... (stare) at which never leaves the commonplace. 2. He had ... a (write) pad on
his knee. 3. Before ... (write) you should clean your fountain-pen. 4. But it's no good ... (ask) me about his
wife's will. 5. "Very well", he said and went on ... (fish). 6. There is only one thing in the world worse than ...
(talk about) and that is not (talk about). 7. She is a very practical woman and good ... (run) things. 8. He could
not bear the idea ... (reproach) by him anymore. 9. He appeared almost to dislike ... (hear) music. 10. This is
Monsieur Hercule Poirot. He has special genius ... (find) out things. 11. I remember (read) something about it
in the paper. 12. She made a pretence ... (look) at her watch. 13. "I am back from London", said a voice
which Poirot had no difficulty ... (recognize). 14. She spoke to Poirot as though she definitely found a relief ...
(do) so. 15. She always helped her sister who was much slower and found great difficulty ... (learn). 16. I
noticed a look of disbelief in his eyes and I guessed that this was surprise ... (see) a man and a woman when
he had been expecting a man only. 17. I really don't know what is the use ... (send) you to school. 18. The
Happy Prince never dreams ... (cry) for anything. 19. "I had thoughts ... (enter) public life once myself',
remarked Mr Smith, "There are so many things that need (reform), 20. "People like ... (talk) about the past",
said Mrs Oliver.

Exercise 34F. Read the following sentences. Make up a list of verbs and verbal phrases after which the
gerund in the function of a prepositional object is used. Translate them into Russian.
1. She accused him of causing Bonnie's death. 2. Mother will never agree to moving to the country. 3. Old
Burton did not approve of drinking and playing cards. 4. She often complains of having problems with her
children. 5. So much depends on your passing this exam successfully. 6. She insisted on doing this exercise at
once. 7. Her father strongly objected to smoking. 8. We are looking forward to seeing our friends again. 9.
They suspected him of being a German spy. 10. She succeeded in making many enemies instead of friends.
11. He is thinking of travelling in the North. 12. They spoke of starting a theatre of their own. 13. She is fond
of playing with her baby.

Exercise 35F. Fill in the blanks with prepositions where necessary.

1. There is no use ... trying to stop that.
2. I'm sorry if I hurt your vanity ... saying so.
3. She only succeded ... opening a restaurant.
4. Lanny passed dancing people ... seeing them.
5. They love ... being dominated.
6. He wouldn't drop his subject till he had brought you round to his way ... thinking.
7. We reached the river ... crossing the meadow.
8. ... crossing the river at that time of the year was out of the question.
9. You must forgive me ... calling at such an hour.
10. But I was afraid ... intruding upon a sorrow I could not lighten.
11. I was thinking ... bringing her to talk to you.
12. She has been used ... having her own way.
13. He guessed that the Baron must be tired ... sitting.
14. Somebody told me she'd taken ... wearing a wig.
15. They say that you're very clever ... finding out what did happen.
16. You see, if a man's getting off with a girl, people notice it usually because men aren't so good ... hiding
their tracks.
17. Perhaps somebody would have a better chance ... doing well in life.

Exercise 36F. Answer the following questions according to the example.

Example: What did they speak of? (buy a house on the Dniepr)
They spoke about buying a house on the Dniepr.
1. What did she accuse her maid of? (steal a golden ring).
2. What are you thinking of? (move to a new flat)
3. Are there any things he approves of? (play tennis and chess)
4. Wnat do you suspect him of? (tell lies all the time)
5. What did she succeed in? (find a good husband)
6. What did she complain of? (be cheated in the shop)
7. What are you looking forward to? (see the New Year in)
8. What does he insist on? (start at once).
9. What will she agree to? (spend holidays in the country)
10. What is your younger brother fond of? (collect stamps)

Exercise 37F. Translate the sentences into English using gerunds for the words in italics.
1. Похоже, что будет дождь. 2. Он оставил мысль о поездке на Черное море. 3. Он подумывает о
женитьбе. 4. Они говорили об отправке своего человека на Восток. 5. Мы с нетерпением ждем
встречи с английским актером. 6. Она подозревает, что он тратит много денег на книги с
пластинками. 7. Он против того, чтобы занимать деньги. 8. Я не чувствую себя в настроении
разговаривать с ним сейчас. 9. Они преуспели в управлении делами этой компании. 10. Я настаиваю
на том, чтобы читать эту книгу в оригинале. 11. Он обвиняет ее в том, что она неверна ему (to be
unfaithful to smb.). 12. Я хочу предотвратить драку. 13. Он одобряет проведение свободного времени на
воздухе. 14. Она жалуется, что ее часто оставляют одну. 15. Много зависит от выбора хорошей
машины. 16. Она была занята шитьем нового платья. 17. Он любит смотреть спортивные передачи.

Exercise 38F. Complete the sentences using a preposition from the box and the gerund of the verbs in
brackets. Use some prepositions more than once

for, at, about, in, to, of, after

1. What shall we do in the evening? How ... (go) to the cinema?

2. Are you interested ... (learn) to play the piano?
3. I am not used ... (eat) much spicy food.
4. Did she apologise ... (be) late?
5. She is very good ... (paint) and (draw).
6. He is tired ... (hear) her complain.
7. She thanked me ... (give) her a lift in my car.
8. ... (have) breakfast I did the washing up.
9. He is still fond ... (play) tennis and golf.
10. I suspect him ... (destroy) these papers.

Exercise 39F. Read and translate the following sentences. Pay attention to the syntactical function of
the gerundial construction.
1. His being a foreigner, an ex-enemy was bad enough. 2. Her getting married caused much grief to her
family. 3. His constant smoking in bed irritated his wife. 4. The only escape was our leaving the town at once.
5. The most exciting thing was their wearing fancy ball dresses. 6. Sometimes people who are in good health
think they have cancer and won't live another year and that can lead to their taking their own life. 7. The
children enjoyed playing with you and you were very kind in your playing with them. 8. My son, such a dear
boy, we have great hopes of his doing well in the future. 9. I don't like the idea of us starting so early. 10. Her
thoughts were interrupted at last, by the door opening gently. 11. I have a mother's feelings and I can never
look at a confirmed bachelor without the tears coming into my eyes. 12. In spite of his coming in time we
could not start at once.

Exercise 40F. Point out the qerundial construction, state its syntactical function and comment on the
way the nominal element is expressed.
1. She was a motherly soul and insisted on his taking a cup of tea with the family. 2. Who said anything
about anybody trying to do him in? 3. That would prevent people's noticing. 4. I couldn't walk round the
deck without his joining me. 5. You don't mind my asking you that, I hope, because I should be interested. 6.
His mother set her heart on his standing for Parliament. 7. It was her proposing to sacrifice the whole world
for me. 8. The terrible tragedy prevented my doing what was right. 9. I remember you coming and taking her
out once. 10. Her secretary seemed to say something about her having gone on a safari in East Africa. 11.
The play is not so bad but I can't imagine anyone wanting to see it three times.

Exercise 41F. Change the following sentences with simple gerunds into sentences with gerundial
constructions. Make the prompt-word in brackets the nominal» element of the construction.
1. Everything has been organized for starting immediately (We).
2. I don't like the idea of going out in the rain (my daughter).
3. There is no good in denying this fact (he).
4. I learnt of having been awarded a premium (you).
5. I asked if there was the slightest possibility of getting those books at our library (she).
6. Bad weather prevented ascending the mountain (the tourists).
7. I don't mind sleeping with the window open (the child).
8. "What do you say to turning back?" I said (I).
9. Have you any objections to going to the Abbey at night? (the boy).
10. I shudder at the thought of being free (the criminal).
11. "If you want to be an actor I suppose I can't stop you, but I insist on being educated like a gentleman"
(you).
12. She could not imagine shouting out words of command in that courteous rather cold voice (he).

Exercise 42F. Turn the bracketed part of the sentence into the gerundial construction. Translate the
sentences into Russian.
1. It is bad enough (Richard, fail) at the examinations.
2. It is no use (you, tell) me not to worry.
3. He was sore at (his son, disobey) him.
4. She was not aware of (her sister, marry) a famous pianist.
5. I saw that she was not pleased at (I, come).
6. Do you mind (I, ask) you one or two more questions?
7. He did not approve of (the children, dream).
8. All the happiness of my life depends on (you, love) me.
9. I object to (you, have) any relations with my sister.
10. You may rely on (I, set) matters right.
11. You must excuse (I, not answer) you before.
12. There was no question of (anybody, not have) enough work to do.
13. We postponed our visit because of (John, be ill).
14. Your reading so carelessly prevents (you, enjoy) this poetry.
15. I entered the room without (he, see) it.

Exercise 43F. Complete the sentences using a gerundial construction.

1. You mustn't mind ... .
2. I shouldn't dream of ... .
3. He didn't approve of ... .
4. There is no use in ... .
5. She insisted on ... .
6. His mother's illness prevented ... .
7. I can't imagine ... .
8. Your parents will object to ... .
9. She often complained of ... .
I often thought of ... .

Exercise 44F. Translate the sentences into English, using gerundial constructions for the part of the
sentence given in italics.
1. He могу представить, чтобы кто-нибудь получил удовольствие от этой поездки.
2. Учителям не нравится, когда дети плохо себя ведут (misbehave).
3. Прежде чем вы уйдете, я настаиваю, чтобы вы ответили на кое-какие вопросы.
4. Бесполезно тебе говорить мне, что ты будешь хорошим.
5. Ты удивлена, что я разговариваю с тобой таким тоном?
6. Я мечтаю, что он станет знаменитым писателем.
7. Ей не нравилось (она не одобряла), что ее дочь употребляет много косметики.
8. Она часто думала о том, как вернется в родной город.
9. Родители часто жалуются, что дети к ним невнимательны.
10.Внезапная смерть отца помешала ему отправиться в экспедицию.
11.Она была недовольна тем, что мы вернулись очень поздно.
12.Что толку, что он ходит в институт?
13.Я дрожу от мысли, что его могут поймать и посадить в тюрьму.
14.Она даже не могла и мечтать, что он обра mum на нее внимание.
15. Нет никакого смысла в том, что он отказы вается видеть своих близких.