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Predicative constructions with the gerund




Like all the verbals the gerund can form predicative constructions, i. e. constructions in which the verbal element expressed by the gerund is in predicate relation to the nominal element expressed by a noun or pronoun (see 2).

 

I dont like your going off without any money. (Maltz)

, .

 

Here the gerund going off is in predicate relation to the pronoun your, which denotes the doer of the action expressed by the gerund.

The nominal element ofthe construction can be expressed in different ways.

1. If it denotes a living being it may be expressed:

 

(a) by a noun in the genitive case or by a possessive pronoun.

 

His further consideration of the point was prevented by Richards coming

back to us in an excited state. (Dickens)

,

.

Do you mind smoking? (Hardy)

, ?

 

(b) by a noun in the common case.

 

I have a distinct recollection of Lady Chiltern always getting the good

conduct prize! (Wilde)

,

.

 

N o t e. Thus in Modern English there are two parallel constructions of the

type: Fancy, Davids courting Emily! and Fancy David courting Emily! These

two constructions may be used indifferently, but sometimes there is a slight

difference in meaning: in the first example the action (the verbal element of

the construction) is emphasized, whereas in the second the doer of the action

(the nominal element of the construction) is emphasized.

 

Occasionally examples are found where the nominal element of the construction is expressed by a pronoun in the objective case.

 

I hope you will forgive me disturbing you. (Du Manrier)

, , .

 

There are cases when the nominal element of the construction, though denoting a living being, cannot be expressed by a noun in the possessive case, but only by a noun in the common case, namely when it consists of two or more nouns or when it is a noun modified by an attribute in post-position.

 

I object to Mary and Jane going out on such a windy day. He felt no

uneasiness now in the thought of the brother and sister being alone together.

(Eliot)

, .

Did you ever hear of a man of sense rejecting such an offer?

-,

?

 

2. If the nominal element of the construction denotes a lifeless thing, it is expressed by a noun in the common case (such nouns, as a rule, are not used in the genitive case) or by a possessive pronoun.

 

I said something about my clock being slow. (Du Maurier)

, .

...Peggotty spoke of... my room, and of its being ready for me. (Dickens)

... ... ,

.

 

3. The nominal element of the construction can also be expressed by a pronoun which has no case distinctions., such as all, this, that, both, each, something.

 

I insist on both of them coming in time.

, .

Again Michael... was conscious of something deep and private stirring

within himself. (Galsworthy)

, -

.

 

N o t e. Some grammarians recognize the existence of two separate

constructions: the gerundial construction (a construction whose nominal

element is expressed by a noun in the genitive case or by a possessive

pronoun) and a construction with a half gerund (a construction whose nominal

element is expressed by a noun in the common case, a pronoun in the

objective case, or a pronoun which has no case distinctions).

 

A gerundial construction is nearly always rendered in Russian by a subordinate clause, generally introduced by , ; , ; , etc.

 

His being a foreigner, an ex-enemy was bad enough. (Aldington)

To, , , , .

Her thoughts were interrupted at last, by the door opening gently. (Reade)

, , ,

.

I began to picture to myself... my being found dead in a day or two, under

some hedge. (Dickens)

,

- .

 

The use of the gerund.

In Modern English the gerund is widely used and often competes with the infinitive.

In the following cases only the gerund is used:

1. With the verbs and verbal phrases: to avoid, to burst out, to deny, to enjoy, to excuse, to fancy (in imperative sentences as an exclamation of surprise), to finish, to forgive, to give up, to go on, to keep (on), to leave off, to mind (in negative and interrogative sentences), to postpone, to put off, cannot help, and some others.

 

He avoided looking at Savina. (Wilson)

.

...she burst out crying. (Collins)

.

We all burst out laughing. (Braine)

.

She denied having been at the station that evening. (Gaskell)

, .

...he enjoyed thinking of her as his future wife. (Eliot)

... .

Excuse my leaving you in the dark a moment. (Dickens)

, .

Fancy finding you here at such an hour! (Hardy)

, !

Forgive my speaking plainly. (Hardy)

, .

When the Committee had finished deciding on its politics, he had gone

home. (Heym)

,

.

Willoughby gave up singing and looked at Karen and Yates from under

drooping eyelids. (Heym)

.

They went on talking. (Hardy)

.

Doctor keeps coming and having a look at me. (Priestley)

( ) .

It was quite rough; but I kept on rowing. (Hemingway)

, ( ) .

I have left off shooting. (Eliot)

.

Do you mind my asking you one or two more questions? (Collins)

, - ?

Would you mind waiting a week or two? (Dreiser)

, -?

I dont mind going and seeing her. (Hardy)

, .

We could put off going over the house. (Eliot)

.

She couldnt help smiling. (Mansfield)

.

 

2. With the following verbs and verbal phrases used with a preposition: to accuse of, to agree to, to approve of, to complain of, to depend on, to feel like, to insist on, to look like, to object to, to persist in, to prevent from, to rely on, to speak of, to succeed in, to suspect of, to thank for, to think of, to give up the idea of, to look forward to, not to like the idea of, to miss an (the) opportunity of and some others.

 

They accuse me of having dealt with the Germans. (Heym)

, .

It was clear now... that Abraham never had agreed to their being married to-

day. (Stone)

, ,

.

You did not approve of my playing at roulette. (Eliot)

, .

All the happiness of my life depends on your loving me. (Eliot)

, .

I dont feel like going out. (Wilson)

.

I dont want to bore you with all this, but I feel like talking. (Priestley)

, .

I insist on being treated with a certain consideration. (Shaw)

, .

It looks like raining.

, .

I object to his having any acquaintance at all with my sister. (Dickens)

, .

I rushed out to prevent her from seeing this dreadful sight. (Conan Doyle)

, .

...you may rely on my setting matters right. (Collins)

... , .

My medical adviser succeeded in saving my life... (Collins)

...

You suspect me of stealing your diamond. (Collins)

, .

I resolved not to think of going abroad any more. (Defoe)

.

I really thank you heartily for taking all this trouble. (Hardy)

, .

So he returned his straitened means to his pocket and gave up the idea of

trying to buy the boys. (Twain)

.

I think everybody looked forward to his coming back. (Maugham)

, , .

did not like the idea of being hunted down by Butler. (Dreiser)

, .

Dont miss the opportunity of hearing this pianist.

He .

 

3 With the following predicative word-groups (with, or without a preposition): to be aware of, to be busy in, to be capable of, to be fond of, to be guilty of, to be indignant at, to be pleased (displeased) at,1 to be proud of, to be sure of, to be surprised (astonished) at, to be worth (while), and some others.

 

1 If the word-group to be pleased (displeased) is followed by a noun or pronoun the preposition with is used;

I am pleased with you (with your paper).

 

Sir Pitt Crawley was not aware of Beckys having married Rawdon.

, .

I felt physically incapable of remaining still in any one place and morally

incapable of speaking to any one human being. (Collins)

, ,

.

I am very fond of being looked at. (Wilde)

, .

You are really guilty of having connived with a German officer to help his

escape. (Heym)

,

.

Mr. Osborne was indignant at his sons having disobeyed him.

, .

...she was not pleased at my coming. (Hichens)

... , .

Miss Crawley was greatly displeased at Rawdons having married Becky.

, .

...nobody knows better than I do that she (Mrs. Copperfield)... is proud of

being so pretty. (Dickens)

... - : ... , .

Are you quite sure of those words referring to my mother? (Collins)

, ?

The bridal party was worth seeing. (Eliot)

.

 





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