English Grammar for University Students. Part 4
Шрифт:
The pronoun it can be used as a preparatory object for the Gerund:
I think it no use persuading him.
5. Attribute
In this syntactic function Gerunds are used in post-position to the noun they modify and are preceded with the prepositions of, for, in, to, about, etc.
I don’t like the idea of going there at once.
6. Adverbial modifier а) of time
In this syntactic function Gerunds are preceded by the prepositions after, before, on (upon), in, at, since (since the prepositions show the time correlation, perfect Gerund is not necessary in this function).
After walking for 4 hours he felt exhausted.
On entering the dark alley she stopped puzzled.
At seeing the flowers Jane felt 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 [Шрамко,
b) of manner
In this syntactic function Gerunds are preceded by the prepositions by and in:
He achieved success by studying hard.
I spent the Sunday in writing an essay.
с) of attendant circumstances
In this syntactic function Gerunds are preceded by the preposition without,besides, in addition to, instead of [Шрамко, Степанова, 2009 ].
He left without paying the bill.
You’d better think it over instead of arguing .
d) of purpose
In this syntactic function Gerunds are preceded by the preposition for.
He put on the glasses for reading the newspaper.
е) of condition
In this syntactic function Gerunds are preceded by the preposition without or the phrase in case of [Шрамко,
I can’t defend this case without your fully trusting me.
In case of changing your mind , please, tell us about it.
f) of cause
In this syntactic function Gerunds are preceded by the prepositions for, for fear of, owing to, because of, through [Шрамко, Степанова, 2009].
For fear of being critisized she left the meeting.
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 tired she went on working.
Despite sending his applications regularly , he couldn’t get a job.
7. Parenthesis
In this syntactic function the Gerund is preceded by the conjunction as and the preposition for (as for) [Шрамко, Степанова, 2009].
As for discussing this matter with them, I’d prefer not to do that.
Predicative constructions (complexes) with the gerund
In predicative constructions the Gerund is in predicate relation to а nounor аpronoun. A noun can be used either in the common or genitive case:
I appreciate my friend’s helping me (my friend helping me).
In the Gerundial complex it is possible to use
– the possessive pronoun:
I appreciate his helping us.
– the personal pronoun in the objective case
I appreciate him helping us.
– an indefinite, defining or negative pronoun:
I don’t remember anybody (anybody’s) saying it .
He boasted of having beaten his rival at tennis.
We were surprised atall coming to meet us .