Predicative Constructions with Participle I

Exercise 1.

Point out objective predicative constructions with Participle I in the following sentences. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. I saw him walking briskly through the crowd wearing a tan raincoat … . (F.F.)

2. She could hear Bart moving about outside, whistling as he worked. (Cus.)

3. … he felt his heart pounding and his mouth was dry again, but it was excitement, not fear. (E.H.)

4. I’ve seen her sitting poring over her pass book. (A. Chr.)

5. “I hear you’ve seen Blanch,” he said. “How on earth did you find out?” “I was told by someone who saw you sitting with them.” (S.M.)

6. He felt Bill coming up to the fire. (E.H.)

7. He leaned back watching Jan working with passionate absorption on the pullover … . (Cus.)

8. … but I could hear two people talking in the room. (A. Chr.)

9. Aswald could feel his heart beating. (R. Ald.)

10. Then I heard someone weeping. (Gr. Gr.)

11. In the silence I could hear the clock ticking. (J. Ch.)

12. Then she heard the stranger laughing quietly, and his footsteps came across the room. (H.W.)

13. He found her watering some plants, her face expressed her surprise at his unusual presence. (Dr.)

14. At his home, he let himself in, and to his surprise, found his wife coming towards him in the hall. (Cron.)

15. They could hear the Invisible Man breathing. (H.W.)

16. Mike saw him standing in the doorway. (Lind.)

17. Then her charming face grew eager, and glancing round, young Jolyon saw Bosinney striding across the grass. (Galsw.)

Exercise 2.

Point out subjective predicative constructions with Participle I in the following sentences. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. He was seen making his way to the house. (Cart.)

2. Here his nurse’s voice was heard calling from the top landing. (Cron.)

3. Many students with blood streaming down their faces were seen running down the side streets to avoid arrest. (M.S.)

4. He suffered from dyspepsia, and he might often be seen sucking a tablet of pepsin … . (S.M.)

5. At times he was seen driving with her by people who knew him in a social and commercial way. (Dr.)

6. The boots of Albert could be heard racing upstairs. (A. Chr.)

7. You’re found hanging around the grounds of a big house after dark … (Cron.)

8. … in a few moments during the launching of the boats, Danvers was seen speaking to a young American girl. (A. Chr.)

9. Jennie was seen wearing the gold watch. (Dr.)

10. He could often be seen walking with his eyes fixed anxiously on little Pablins Dartie’s sailing-boat. (Galsw.)

Exercise 3.

Define the type of predicative constructions with Participle I.

1. The car paused momentarily at the door of the commissary. Pat saw blank eyes staring at him and he stared back at them blankly from the rear seat. (F.F.)

2. Cokane and Sartorius are seen returning by the river gate. (B. Sh.)

3. I saw her going off in that direction about a quarter of an hour ago. (A. Chr.)

4. In a moment I heard Stroeve’s voice asking if I was in. (S.M.)

5. He braced himself against the slope and felt his feet moving within his swollen boots. (J. Ald.)

6. And in the slight pause young Nickolas was heard saying gently that Violet … was taking lessons in pastel … . (Galsw.)

7. He watched them eating, and decided that they ate like pigs. (J.L.)

8. My door happened to be ajar, and I heard her talking to some one in the passage. (A. Chr.)

9. Shut up in her room she could be heard chattering away hour after hour … (S.M.)

10. I don’t feel their absence, I don’t want them weeping around my deathbed and being polite about me afterwards, which I believe is the general notion. (Forster)

11. Don’t you remember, I said yesterday I’d overheard two people talking about a female called Jane Finn? (A. Chr.)

12. He felt his head trembling slightly with rage as he said this. (Amis.)

13. He could hear his wife breathing quietly, asleep. (E.H.)

14. She could hear him telephoning, stressing the gravity and urgency of the case. (Cron.)

15. I wondered if that was the reason I used to hear my father pacing up and down in his room long after the rest of the house had gone to bed. (H.R.)

16. It set her heart leaping … .(Cus.)

17. The hot east wind drove the flames, whipped them up and sent them racing. (Vickers)

Exercise 4.

Define the meaning of the verb with which objective predicative constructions with Participle I are used.

1. Passing into the picture gallery, as it was still called, he saw Irene standing nearby. (Galsw.)

2. It set him thinking. (Dr.)

3. We may suppose him representing the England of Napoleon’s wars, and general unrest. (Galsw.)

4. I thought I saw something moving along the track. (Vickers)

5. But he found his traps waiting for him in the porter’s lodge … . (S.M.)

6. I opened the door with extreme reluctance and found Morton standing outside. (R.Ald.)

7. The four soldiers noticed Christian watching them. (I. Sh.)

8. She ran up the drive … and I heard her fumbling for the key. (J.Ch.)

9. From where she stood she could hear everything going on at once. (A. Chr.)

10. I heard the guards moving behind us. (Gr.Cr.)

11. I felt him looking at me now and again, but I took no notice. (S.M.)

Exercise 5.

Form objective predicative constructions with Participle I out of the elements in brackets.

1. … he saw (a young girl, to be driven) away from the door in tears. (S.M.)

2. I turned my head over my shoulder and saw (she, to stand) in front of the house. (A. Chr.)

3. He felt (her eyes, to rest) on him with a strange, touching look. (Galsw.)

4. Renata watched (he, to smoke). (E.H.)

5. That set (one’s heart, to thump). (J.Ch.)

6. It would never do for her to come out and see (he, to talk) there with them. (J.L.)

7. And Michael saw (his father-in-law, to stare up) at the Lincoln statue. (Galsw.)

8. Jolly was anxious that they should see (he, to row) so they set forth to the river. (Galsw.)

9. June saw (Soames, to stand) just behind her. (Galsw.)

10. Wilkins had heard (we, to row), and looked at me, and motioned me on. (Cain)

11. She thought she heard (he, to groan). (S.M.)

12. Giving a side glance at Betty, he saw (she, to watch) him with a warm look of admiration. (Lind.)

13. I could feel (my breath, to tremble) as we drove along and I could feel (she, to look) at me too. (Cain)

14. Even in that first meeting I felt (he, to give) me some of his own courage. (Vickers)

Exercise 6.

Paraphrase the following using objective predicative constructions with Participle I.

Model:

The children were running towards the forest (she, to see).

She saw the children running towards the forest.

1. She was looking round eagerly (he, to see).

2. She was watching him (he, not to see).

3. Someone was shouting (I, to hear).

4. The water was sucking at the piles beneath the house (they, to hear)

5. She was scrutinizing me closely (I, to see).

6. My cheeks were going red (I, to feel).

7. His ears were glowing (he, to feel).

8. Her little maid was starching and pleating her linen dresses … (she, to watch).

9. The gardeners were watering beds of young lettuce (he, to watch).

10. My sister was signalling to me from another table (I, to see).

11. The corner of a three-penny detective novel was protruding from Albert’s pocket (he, to note).

12. The rain drops were pattering against the leaves (I, to hear).

13. His father was moving around in the living room (he, to hear).

14. He was standing there, the light glittering on his spectacles, his white cruel face expectant (they, to see).

15. He was waiting about five minutes (they, to keep).

16. They were sitting in the sunshine (she, to find).

Exercise 7.

Complete the following so as to use objective predicative constructions with Participle I.

1. They watched the children … .

2. He didn’t see her … .

3. I didn’t notice you … .

4. He liked to watch his father … .

5. He found himself … .

6. I’ve never heard you … .

7. I didn’t see anybody … .

8. The girl saw someone … .

9. He watched the theatre crowd … .

10. She watched the car … .

11. She heard the footsteps … .

12. I saw the door … .

13. She heard the children … .

14. He felt her … .

15. Did you overhear them …?

Exercise 8.

Make up sentences using the following objective predicative constructions with Participle I.

1. him listening;

2. the children playing;

3. the waves rolling;

4. them talking;

5. her looking round;

6. the crowd streaming;

7. the door slamming open;

8. him waiting outside;

9. her poring over a book;

10. you sitting here;

11. someone weeping;

12. the clock ticking;

13. a figure standing;

14. Pete working;

15. a voice saying;

16. my mother washing;

17. the box rattling down;

18. him smoking;

19. her grandmother knitting.

Exercise 9.

Recast the following sentences so as to use objective predicative construction with Participle I.

1. I noticed that now his eyes were resting on me with a faint smile of amusement.

2. At the corner of the street I now saw that a small crowd was collecting, attracted by the fire.

3. So as I strode now along Bake street I felt that I was doing something useful… .

4. Then Frank’s eyes lit up, he saw that Martha was cutting a cake, cutting an enormous wedge of plum cake.

5. When I opened my eyes I saw the others were dozing so I sneaked out.

6. I noticed that Constance was sitting close against Freddy’s chair, and that he broke across what he was saying.

7. I could see that Dave was still standing in the door-way.

8. I felt I was getting hot under the collar, and all my romantic humour was gone.

9. When he got on the sand he saw that Arthur was looking at the boat.

10. He could see that a man was standing on the pavement, facing the swing doors.

11. When he opened the window he heard how the birds were singing in the garden.

12. In a minute or two I noticed that her eyes were stealthily peeping at me over the top of the book.

13. I could feel that the room was rocking under my feet.

Exercise 10.

Point out the Objective and the Subjective Participial Constructions. Translate into Russian.

1. In the midday quiet of the bush she heard a small bird singing. (Young)

2. The taxi could be seen waiting outside. (Murdoch)

3. His face clouded when he heard his name spoken. (Greene)

4. She had the drawing-room redecorated. (Maugham)

5. All the while she felt her heart beating with a vague fear. (Eliot)

6. The darkness found him occupied with these thoughts. The darkness found Mr. and Mrs. Plornish knocking at his door. (Dickens)

7. Somewhere a long way off a telephone bell rang and a voice could be heard speaking. (Greene)

8. For their New Year’s Eve party she had all the furniture moved out of the parlor and sitting-room. (Stone)

9. Get your things packed. (Cronin)

10. Temple heard the woman fumbling at the wall. (Faulker)

11. The two men were heard descending. (Dickens)

12. Two days later she heard sleigh bells coming up the drive. (Stone)

13. They wanted the Committee convened over the week-end. (Snow)

14. She had her bed moved to the corner of the porch. (Buck)

15. Mary could feel Elizabeth reviewing their hopes and dreams, their relationship as sisters. (Stone)

16. She averted her eyes each time she found herself being stared at. (Caldwell)

17. The din in the entrance hall continued, and more vehicles could be heard arriving at the door. (Murdoch)

18. She heard the musicians tuning up in the back parlour. (Stone)

Exercise 11.

Translate into English, using the Objective or the Subjective Participial Construction.

(A)

1. Была тихая летняя ночь. Мы сидели в саду и наблюдали, как луна медленно поднимается из-за деревьев.

2. Мы услышали, что кто-то поет вдали.

3. В детстве я часто слышал, как моя мать пела эту песню.

4. Мы увидели, что по дорожке сада идет сын нашего соседа.

5. Мы не видели его уже много лет, но часто слышали, как его имя упоминалось в доме его родителей. Мы не раз слышали, как его мать говорила о нем и его работе.

(B)

1. Полчаса спустя Лаврецкий стоял уже перед калиткой сада (garden gate). Он нашел ее запертою и принужден был перепрыгнуть через забор. (Тургенев)

2. Слышно было, как он быстро встал … (Л. Толстой)

3. Подходя к церкви, увидел он, что народ уже расходился (to come out). (Пушкин)

4. Я видел, как вы садились на пароход (to come on board). (А. Толстой)

5. Видно было, как по переулку подбегали (to run up the alley) люди. (А. Толстой)

PARTICIPLE II

Exercise 1.

Define the function of Participle II.

1. Rosie looked round with delight at the great dark smoky house, crowded to the ceiling with the inhabitants of South London. (S.M.)

2. Carried away by the melody, Marie went so far as to dance a step or two herself. (P.W.)

3. “Let’s skate again,” she said, “shall we? With crossed hands.” (Bates)

4. They had gazed sadly on the pitted surface of the once smooth lawn. (A. Chr.)

5. Sam looked up, relieved. Dear Old Bates was standing in the lighted doorway. (P.W.)

6. I had been seated at the desk a long time, lost in thought. (H.R.)

7. Again there was a silence in the wooden shed, broken only by the drumming of the rain upon the tin roof. (Cron.)

8. I laughed, embarrassed, but not wholly displeased with the role thrust upon me. (A. Chr.)

9. Mr. Wrenn, startled, dropped his hat. (P.W.)

10. Embarrassed he didn’t know what to say. (Cron.)

11. Poirot shook his head in a dissatisfied manner. (A. Chr.)

12. With a smile he looked across at Christine, seated on the opposite seat. (Cron.)

13. Surrounded by difficulties and uncertainly, he longed for Christine. (Cron.)

14. The owner was a half-caste named Horn, with a native wife surrounded by little brown children, and on the ground-floor he had a store where he sold canned goods and cottons. (S.M.)

Exercise 2.

State the function of Participle II. Translate into Russian.

1. Stirred by the beauty of the twilight, he strolled away from the hotel. (Cronin)

2. All the country near him was broken and wooded. (Aldington)

3. For a moment the trio stood as if turned to stone. (Murdoch)

4. Through the dark hall, guarded by a large black stove … I followed her into the saloon. (Mansfield)

5. If left to myself, I should infallibly have let this chance slip. (Cr. Brontë)

6. He spoke when spoken to, politely and without much relevance. (Hansford Johnson)

7. He cast upon her one more look, and was gone. (Hichens)

8. Miss Brodrick, though not personally well knows in the country, had been spoken well of by all men. (Trollope)

9. Prepared, then for any consequences, I formed a project. (Cr. Brontë)

10. Thus absorbed, he would sit for hours defying interruption. (Stone)

11. As directed, I took the lead, almost happily. (Salinger)

12. He looked at her for a moment as though amazed at her friendliness. (Greene)

13. Fancy a married woman doomed to live on from day without one single quarrel with her husband. (Jerome K. Jerome)

14. He bowed low when presented to Dinny. (Galsworthy)

15. Displeased and uncertain Brande gazed from his son to the Spanish gardener. (Cronin)

Exercise 3.

Translate into English, using Participle II where possible.

1. На листе бумаги было несколько строк, написанных карандашом.

2. Если меня спросят, я скажу правду (to tell the truth).

3. В вазе было несколько увядших роз.

4. Я не люблю смотреть на посаженных в клетку животных (to cage).

5. Книга будет здесь, пока ее не спросят (to ask for).

6. Муж ее был отставным полковником.

7. Хотя он был очень удивлен, он не сказал ни слова.

8. Вот новые учебники, присланные для нашей школы.

9. Оставленный один в темноте, ребенок заплакал.

10. Студенты писали сочинение о системе образования в Англии, как она описана Диккенсом.

11. Солнце село, и деревья казались темными, как будто высеченными (to cut) из черного мрамора.

Exercise 4.

Point out predicative constructions with Participle II and define their structure.

1. Bart watched Chilla engulfed by his family and then saw them go, too, unchallenged. (Cus.)

2. They’ve got me cornered. (Cart.)

3. I had it all planned. (Vickers)

4. She kept her eyes fastened upon her plate. (Cron.)

5. He kept his eyes fixed on mine till I had finished, and then he turned away. (S.M.)

6. But a week later, feeling himself betrayed, hysterical and in terror, Norberd betrayed his wife. (Maltz)

7. As he ate the cottage pie that was his portion he felt Blodwen’s eye fastened on him … . (Cron.)

8. We’ll have supper sent up to the suite. (A. Chr.)

9. About ten minutes later he heard the front door shut. (A. Chr.)

10. Perhaps she refused to have him sent for because she knew he would refuse to come. (S.M.)

Exercise 5.

Recast the following sentences so as to use predicative constructions instead of subordinate clauses.

1. I tried the handle, and found that the door was unlocked.

2. Silas chose the law, because he felt that he was morally adapted for it.

3. They considered that the plan had been lost.

4. When we came up to the village we found that it had been burnt to the ground.

5. When I entered the room I found that she had been already dressed for the party.

6. His thoughts wandered and he found that his mind was filled with memories of the past.

7. I heard that his name had been mentioned several times during the conversation.

Exercise 6.

Translate the Russian participles in brackets by English Participle II.

1. I lay there with my eyes (закрытые).

2. She kept her eyes (устремленные) upon her plate.

3. I had that door (покрашенная) only last week.

4. Meditatively he took from his pocket a neatly (сложенная) telegram which he opened and re-read.

5. Bill wheeled round. His face was set. He spoke through (стиснутые) teeth.

6. Bob moved up and down, searching for Bette, and at last found her (спрятанной) behind a large placard.

7. Andrew stood with his head (склоненной), silent.

8. Ferry found the (скомканную) note with the phone number on it, which Grace had left.

9. Feeling the warmth of the grass beneath him, the world around him (окруженный) with movement, it did not seem that there was such a thing as illness.

Exercise 7.

Translate into English, using the verb to have or to get followed by the Objective Participial Constructions.

1. Я переделала свое зимнее пальто.

2. Когда вы, наконец, настроите свой рояль? Он совсем расстроен (to be out of tune).

3. Я не починил вчера часы, так как мастерские были закрыты.

4. Когда вы оклеили комнату?

5. Вам уже побелили потолок?

6. Где вы снимались?

7. Вам следует переплести свои книги.

8. Где вы делали себе это платье?

9. Я выкрасила свое платье, и теперь оно совсем как новое (выглядит совсем новым).

10. Где вы починили велосипед?

Exercise 8.

Put general and special questions to the following statements.

1. She’d had it (hair) cut very short, Eton cropped, and now she was wearing it straight and natural, not frizzed up as she’d always worn it. (Vickers)

2. She had the slips printed, and began mailing them out, three or four at a time. (Cain)

3. I’ve got to get her cured. (J. Ch.)

4. I was using that tramp as a money-box and luggage carrier, until I decided how to get my books and things sent over to meet me. (H.W.)

5. He ran forward and back, felt his heart clutched by a sickening fear. (Galsw.)

6. Harold put his hand to her face and felt it flushed. (R. Ald.)

7. Renisenb felt her spirits lightened. (A. Chr.)

8. She found herself so much disturbed by this visit that she could hardly find tongue to answer his questions. (Dr.)

9. He saw the question written in her wondering ashamed face. (Dr.)

10. And then I heard a box kicked across the floor, and the next moment Rob came into the bedroom. (Vickers)

11. Tommy heard a chair shifted. (A. Chr.)

Exercise 9.

Make up sentences using the following constructions with Participle II.

1. kept her eyes fastened upon;

2. have the report typed;

3. heard it suggested;

4. found him absorbed in;

5. kept the eyes fixed on;

6. get his voice recorded;

7. heard her name mentioned;

8. had the article printed;

9. with his eyes lowered;

10. heard the key turned;

11. had her hair cut very short;

12. had the letter sent;

13. considers herself offended.

Exercise 10.

Make up 2 or 3 questions with each of the following constructions with Participle II. Let your fellow-students answer your questions.

1. to have one’s hair cut;

2. to have one’s picture taken;

3. to have one’s TV repaired;

4. to have one’s room papered;

5. to have one’s hair waved;

6. to have one’s shoes mended;

7. to have a new dress made;

8. to have one’s nails done;

9. to have one’s report typed;

10. to have one’s mail sent;

11. to have a text tape-recorded.

Exercise11.

Read the following dialogue and point out predicative constructions with Participle II. Make up your own dialogues using predicative constructions with participle II.

DIALOGUE

Nora: It’s Peter’s birthday the day after tomorrow. I’ve had a new suit made for him to wear at his party.

Harry: Are we going to have a lot of his friends here?

Nora: Oh, yes, didn’t I tell you?

Harry: Are you going to cook all the cakes yourself?

Nora: Some of them. And the rest I shall have done by a shop. That reminds me, I must get the carpets beaten before the party.

Robert: And Dad, will you have the gramophone mended by Friday?

Harry: Well, why don’t you have it mended yourself, Robert? Didn’t you have it mended last time it broke?

Nora: What do you want the gramophone for on Friday?

Robert: We shall have to use it for the dancing.

Harry: What, dancing half the night? Then I see what I shall have to do!

Nora: What’s that, Harry?

Harry: (jokingly): I must have a bed made up for me at the club, and spend the night there.

Meet the Parkers

REVISION (THE PARTICIPLE)

Exercise 1.

State the form of the participle.

1. I do not know how long we stood there, eating potatoes in the snow, warming our hands by the open fire, talking and laughing … . (Bates)

2. … his intonation was so unmistakably American that Sam glanced at him as he passed; and, glancing half stopped, arrested by something strangely familiar about the man’s face. (P.W.)

3. She closed the door and came into the room, taking off her coat. (D. Rob.)

4. For a moment Kay stared speechlessly; then, throwing her head back, she gave out a short, sharp scream of laughter … . (P.W.)

5. With a crack of his fingers he had a waiter running for them. (Cron.)

6. In the seat immediately behind mine, leaning forward with her lips slightly parted was … Lady Edwards, better known as Jane Wilkinson. (A. Chr.)

7. The young gentleman looked at the stream discolored by the melting snow. (E.H.)

8. After this they strolled back to the broke, and found things being prepared for luncheon. (S.M.)

9. Day by day the news of me crept farther and farther into the inner pages of the newspaper, being pushed back by newer and more sensational copy. (S.M.)

10. … when Ashenden, having just stepped out of his bath, was trying to dry himself on a towel that absorbed no moisture, his door was quickly opened and a man slipped into his room. (S.M.)

Exercise 2.

Define the function of the participle.

1. Andrew rose and crossed the room, with a pale face and a heavily beating heart. (Cron.)

2. But she (June), having clasped her hands on his knees, rubbed her chin against him, making a sound like a purring cat. (Galsw.)

3. But now, seeing her weeping and broken before him … his heart softened. (P.W.)

4. This time Sam performed the descent of the steps in a single leap. But reaching the gate he was struck by a thought. (P.W.)

5. They stopped a passing miner, and were soon directed to Vale View. (Cron.)

6. Kay stared thoughtfully before her; and staring, was aware of Sam hurrying through the swing door. (P.W.)

7. Hokkaids listened attentively, nodding, then replied. (D. Rob.)

8. The four people upstairs, trying to make conversation, listened despite themselves to the clink of glasses and the scrape of chairs. (S.M.)

9. Fumblingly he pressed her hand, turned, clattered down the path and was on his way home with dancing thoughts, walking on air … (Cron.)

10. … their whispers became so loud that the Judge angrily threatened to have the court cleared if there was not immediate silence. (A.Chr.)

11. It was ages since I had been out anywhere, and I had to spend all my day off duty on the day of the concert trying to make up for the neglect of my nails and hair. (M.D.)

12. The sun had set, and it was twilight, the sky was growing dark, bringing to view the twinkling stars. (S.M.)

13. She drank some water, and then taking up a broken handglass she looked at herself, saying: “I am a sight!” (S.M.)

Exercise 3.

Specify the functions of the participle by inserting in the blanks appropriate conjunctions from the list below.

1. I stood nursing the wrist I had sprained … skating. (Bates)

2. She kept inclining her head … listening for something. (P.W.)

3. He did not look his best … smiling. (P.W.)

4. And then suddenly … smoking a placid after-lunch pipe, his mood changed. (P.W.)

5. He cast a swift glance over his shoulder … debating the practicability of a dive into the traffic. (P.W.)

6. He is safe … living in the country. But he keeps dashing away from the country and losing his head. (P.W.)

7. … saying these words he got up. (S.M.)

8. The house … finished was fresh and gay. (S.M.)

9. Next day, … waiting before that picture he looked at it with wonder. (Galsw.)

10. I saw him for the first time … lunching here yesterday. (A. Chr.)

11. … passing the bookshop I stopped to look in the window and noticed among other new books the translation of a novel of mine. (Cron.)

12. It was a pretty mouth but Sam who had made a study of the picture, was of the opinion that it would look even prettier … smiling. (P.W.)

while; when; as if; as though

Exercise 4.

Translate into English using the participle or predicative constructions with the participle.

1. Когда дети ушли на прогулку в лес, мать еще долго стояла в дверях, улыбаясь и махая рукой.

2. Мистер Пиквик, сопровождаемый своими друзьями, отправился изучать мир и людей.

3. Я еще не изучил всех материалов, связанных с этой проблемой.

4. Выглянув в окно, мистер Пиквик увидел, что день был прекрасен. Ярко светило солнце, и было слышно, как весело пели птицы в саду.

5. Эта песня напомнила ему мелодию, услышанную им в далекой юности.

6. Доктор Ватсон сидел у окна, наблюдая за проходящими мимо людьми, когда вдруг увидел хорошенькую молодую женщину, направляющуюся к их дому.

7. На столе лежала сложенная газета, которую он еще не успел просмотреть.

8. Не обращая внимания на стоны Тома, Сид лежал с закрытыми глазами, притворяясь, что спит.

Exercise 5.

Read the following dialogue, and point out the participle and predicative constructions with the participle. Make up your own dialogues using the participle.

DIALOGUE

Nora: Good afternoon, Mrs. Wood. You are looking pleased. Have you found out who took your missing spoons?

Mrs. Wood: Yes, it’s really very funny, I must tell you. Of course, I’ve been awfully nervous since yesterday, my husband being away and there being nobody else in the house. And then coming back from shopping this afternoon I found the back gate open and suspicious noises coming from the house!

Nora: Goodness!

Mrs. Wood: Thinking that if I went for help the fellow would get away, I decided to catch him myself.

Nora: How very brave of you!

Mrs. Wood: And then, looking in through the kitchen window what should I see but —

Nora: A man?

Mrs. Wood: No — a monkey!

Nora: A monkey?

Mrs. Wood: Yes, a monkey, sitting on my kitchen table, and taking all my knives and forks out of the table drawer.

Nora: Wherever had it come from?

Mrs. Wood: I just couldn’t think at first. And then I suddenly remembered that the house at the end of the road has just been taken over by an old sailor who has all sorts of strange pets.

Nora: I know — Mr. Benbow. So the monkey sitting on the table was his. What extraordinary creature — taking your spoons one day and coming back for your knives and forks the next! Did you manage to catch him?

Mrs. Wood: I couldn’t catch him myself, but I fetched Mr. Benbow and he soon did it.

Nora: And did you discover what the monkey had done with your spoons?

Mrs. Wood: Yes, we found them hidden at the end of our own garden!

Nora: How very funny! With the police hunting everywhere for a criminal too. Still, ‘All’s well that ends well!’

Meet the Parkers

THE GERUND

Exercise 1.

State the form of the gerund.

1. When I had asked him what first gave him the idea of being a painter, he was unable or unwilling to tell me. (S.M.)

2. We happened then to cross the street and the traffic prevented us from speaking. (S.M.)

3. I know you dislike being aroused early, but it is nine o’clock. Pagget insists on regarding 9 a.m. as practically the middle of the day. (A. Chr.)

4. The world is a fine place and worth fighting for. (E.H.)

5. He was accustomed to having all his thoughts sifted through his mother’s mind. (St. L.)

6. I see, Mr. Clarke, that you are if I may say so without being offensive — still a boy at heart. (A. Chr.)

7. I can’t explain, but having done it just once is enough. (A. H.)

8. After fifteen minutes she located a physician who sounded angry and sulky at being called out of bed. (F.F.)

9. Mrs. Harter couldn’t help smiling at him. (A. Chr.)

10. The cook left, having heard that she could earn three times her present wages in London, without being obliged to prepare more than two dinners in the week … (P.W.)

11. He had never committed the imprudence of marrying, or encumbering himself in any way with children. (Galsw.)

12. And as though in the habit of taking each other home every night they went out. (Galsw.)

13. He reproached me for not being foresighted enough to bring a picnic lunch. (Am. St.)

14. I didn’t at all like the prospect of having to break the bad news to him. (P.W.)

15. It was not until the crowd had cleared away a bit that we got a chance of having a word together. (P.W.)

16. … when she took a thing into her head there was no stopping her. (Galsw.)

17. “I don’t see anything funny about a child being hurt!” She said in a trembling voice. (F.F.)

18. There was something in his personality which prevented him from being dull. (S.M.)

19. Almost without meaning to she put one of her own hands into his hand. (S.M.)

Exercise 2.

Point out verbal, noun and adverbial characteristics of the gerund in the following sentences.

1. He lifted his head, but still without looking at me, his huge hands were clenched into fists. (Banks)

2. I wonder at Jolyon’s allowing the engagement. (Galsw.)

3. It was ridiculous to think of going back there. (Banks)

4. But to my intense surprise, on getting down early the next morning, and eagerly opening the newspapers, there was not a word about the arrest! (A. Chr.)

5. I felt quite calm again, as divorced from my own immediate problems as if I were coming out after seeing a particularly absorbing film. (Banks)

6. I bent again to smell the bushy spikes, but Father stopped me by stooping quickly and snapping one off to give me. (Banks)

7. I wondered if I should apologise for never having called her back. (St. L.)

8. She never tired of praising his beauty. (S.M.)

9. I don’t remember leaving the club, but I remember being in a taxi and saying: “Toby, I’ll pay for this,” and him saying: “This is my party …” (Banks)

10. The effort of getting up the third and fourth flights, which I tried to manage in one go, muddled me somehow. (Banks)

11. … she was not used to being kept waiting … (S.M.)

12. Nobody ever thought of making them at home. (K. Man.)

13. She began looking, rather hopelessly, at the names wondering whether one of them would recall something … . (S.M.)

14. He insisted on coming downstairs with her and putting her into a cab. (S.M.)

15. He was tempted by the idea of having a flat of his own, but it was out of the question … . (S.M.)

Exercise 3.

Use the gerund in the active or passive voice (non-perfect) instead of the infinitive in brackets.

1. Mr. Davidson has a wonderful heart and no one who is in trouble has ever gone to him without (to comfort). (S.M.)

2. I eat very little myself, but I make a point of (to have) a proper dinner served to me every night. (S.M.)

3. “I wanted to see you,” I said and now I was anxious just to avoid (to look) at her and to collect my wits. (S.M.)

4. I think he was a little ashamed of (to be) so successful. (S.M.)

5. This was an appeal to which Eleonor was incapable of (to turn) a deaf ear. (S.M.)

6. We were in the habit of (to bathe) at a beach called the Baths of Liberius. (S.M.)

7. Worst of all, he had no hope of (to shake) her resolution. (Galsw.)

8. … I hated thus (to deprive) of the sweetness of youth. (O’Hara)

9. Never had he felt George’s presence without the sense of (to laugh) at. (Galsw.)

Exercise 4.

Use the gerund in the perfect or non-perfect form instead of the infinitive in brackets.

1. Without (to ask) his advice I have taken an important step.

2. My sister usually stopped (to read) when there was something terrible in the story.

3. He disliked (to run) the whole department.

4. He spoke with an air of (to work) this out accurately. (White)

5. On behalf of my wife and myself we thank you for (to be) with us on this joyous occasion. (H.R.)

6. Miss Marple had been shown every antique piece of furniture that contained or could be suspected of (to contain) a secret drawer. (A. Chr.)

7. (to hear) them talk about bathing made me want to bathe too. (A. Chr.)

8. That charming lady is capable of (to tell) any lie to her advantage, with the most childlike candor. (A. Chr.)

9. People had grown tired of (to say) that the “Disunion” was on its last legs. (Galsw.)

10. I think I am correct in (to say) that they have remained in the safe. (A. Chr.)

11. He remembered (to meet) her in the park. (Kipling)

12. Mr. Kosak is tired of (to give) us credit. (W.S.)

13. I remember (to read) about it in one of the historical novels … (P.W.)

14. (to picnic) with Jan was better than a feast with anyone else. (Cus.)

15. He knew, but he had no intension of (to reveal) the fact. (A. Chr.)

16. He never spoke of (to have) any relations. (A.Chr.)

17. He gave no sign of (to hear) them. (S.M.)

18. They hate her for (to get away) with it. (Am. St.)

Exercise 5.

Use the gerund in the required form instead of the infinitive in brackets.

1. Gil Tullock was never tired of (to look) at his wife. (White)

2. I wasn’t keen on (to wash) this kind of dirty linen in public. (J. Sh.)

3. He’ll be afraid of (to think) ungrateful. (Galsw.)

4. … he came back to town in a poor way, and went about with pathetic attempts at (to make) the best of a bad job. (Galsw.)

5. The clothes were washed elsewhere: in here they were but aired before (to put on). (Galsw.)

6. Warren wants me to go home and give up the idea of (to go) on the stage. (I.M.)

7. They would send out for coffee and sandwiches, and after they had finished (to eat), it would be around seven o’clock. (I.M.)

8. Here, they felt, was someone worth (to take) a little trouble over. (S.M.)

9. He was so young, so gay, he laughed so merrily at other people’s jokes that no one could help (to like) him. (S.M.)

10. I beg the House’s pardon for (to be) so long in (to fulfil) my task. (Galsw.)

11. I seem honoured in (to permit) to draw the attention of all the parties to this. (Galsw.)

12. After (to mourn) for her so many years it is time that you once more enjoyed life. (A. Chr.)

13. … Mrs. Soudamore … hesitated before (to kiss) her daughter good-bye. (P.W.)

14. Martin Eden never looked at him without (to experience) a sense of repulsion. (J.L.)

15. And ever since she’s been haunted by what she did. I can’t help (to feel) sorry for her. (A. Chr.)

16. Thank you for (to look) in on me. (H.R.)

17. Soames had the peculiar feeling of (to overdo) his own honesty. (Galsw.)

Exercise 6.

Define the function of the gerund.

1. Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. (Proverb)

2. In spite of myself I could not help smiling. (A. Chr.)

3. In the silence he began humming once again. (A.H.)

4. I always enjoy exercising my ingenuity. (A. Chr.)

5. Old Jolyon came out of Lord’s cricket ground that same afternoon with the intension of going home. (Galsw.)

6. On hearing the tragic news, she fell at once into an alarming state of agitation. (A.Chr.)

7. You do not know how I suffer; all last night I could not sleep for thinking of your peril. (Steve)

8. I’m thinking of travelling there by train in future. (A.H.)

9. He spared no pains in trying to see all and sundry who might be of use to him. (Dr.)

10. “William,” Elizabeth said, “would you mind telling my brother what instructions Mr. Lozier gave you?” (Am. St.)

11. Another election! Could he stand a second time without showing his true colours? (Galsw.)

12. It’s no use crying over spilt milk. (Proverb)

13. Billy O’Brien … started writing dramatic criticism for little reviews. (M.S.)

14. I just don’t like getting mixed up in this thing. (Am. St.)

15. There was a reason for not doing so; a secret he had shared with no one, not even Natalie, his wife. (A.H.)

16. It was, she supposed, Henet’s way of amusing herself. (A. Chr.)

17. Why have you come to me before going to her? (A. Chr.)

18. What d’you mean by saying that you’re my nephew? (A. Chr.)

19. The children woke soon and began chattering and playing in the bed. (M.S.)

Exercise 7.

Define the type of the adverbial modifier expressed by the gerund.

1. Baydz and his father entered the room. They looked at each other without speaking. (H.R.)

2. He was overwhelmingly generous, and his generosity was of that rare and excellent kind which makes you feel as if you are doing … a favour by accepting it. (Am. St.)

3. Without giving myself time to reflect, I walked straight to the house … (A. Chr.)

4. Instead of worrying he took a deep breath of the crisp air … (F.F.)

5. When a little while ago, my publisher expressed a wish to reissue it (a novel), I felt that, before consenting to this, I really should read it again. (S.M.)

6. The rain poured down without ceasing. (S.M.)

7. Ede had obtained Billy’s teddy-bear by pulling it forcibly from his arms … (F.F.)

8. This morning, the old servant Françoise, on descending to start her work, found the front door ajar. (A. Chr.)

9. You never realize that by lying back in an armchair, with the eyes closed, one can come nearer to the solution of any problem. (A. Chr.)

10. Without much searching, I found an apartment on the fifth floor. (S. M.)

11. That was soon established, by comparing it with the memorandum from the desk. (A. Chr.)

12. Sometimes Liza fell into light doze and Jim would keep very still for fear of waking her. (S.M.)

Exercise 8.

Insert prepositions where necessary.

1. What was the use … keeping half a dozen servants eating their heads off. (Galsw.)

2. That would have been much the easiest way … doing it, he agreed. (A. Chr.)

3. He was a little hesitant about his reason … wanting to get away so badly. (Shute)

4. Yet, ironically, there was seldom any difficulty … getting money for non-operational improvements. (A. H.)

5. You see a definite reason … going down to Handborough? (A. Chr.)

6. I am not in the habit … letting my judgement be influenced, as you call it, Hastings. (A. Chr.)

7. Her voice had become thrill; Ralph spoke in the hope … restraining it. (Am. St.)

8. You can’t tell how a man’s feeling just … looking at him. (P.W.)

9. He was possessed with a wild notion … rushing out into the streets and taking a train to Detroit. (F.F.)

10. Certain people, you see, have a gift … seeing things in a crystal. (A. Chr.)

11. She gave the impression … being frail, innocent and very young. (I. Sh.)

12. “You haven’t thanked me yet … saving your life,” I said with false sweetness. (A. Chr.)

13. “Roger!” cried Gretchen. “What d’you mean … talking like that?” (F.F.)

14. In the afternoon she was overtaken by a desperate fit … sobbing. (Galsw.)

15. I never did succeed … teaching her to drive. (St. L.)

16. The man insisted … shaking hands enthusiastically. (F.F.)

17. We shoveled out at the risk … getting frostbite and sore muscles. (Am. St.)

Exercise 9.

Complete the following using the gerund

a) as subject or predicative:

1. There’s no use … .

2. It was useless … .

3. It would be no good … .

4. Is it worth while …?

5. … is more difficult than swimming.

6. His ambition was … .

7. He had an exaggerated opinion of his capabilities. There was … it.

8. Her aim is … .

b) as a part of a compound verbal predicate:

1. His temper kept … .

2. Doctor Flegg began … .

3. He kept … .

4. Now I will go on … .

5. Author started … .

6. All the time he was talking to me I went on … .

7. The officer finished … .

8. Suddenly he darted and began … .

9. In the silence he started … .

10. He immediately stopped … .

11. When a ship goes down off their coast they cannot help … .

12. Her laughter was so infectious that I could not help … .

13. In spite of myself I could not help … .

14. She just continued … .

c) as a non-prepositional object:

1. Mel was aware that he disliked … .

2. He had practically given up … .

3. Her mother mentioned … .

4. I hate … .

5. I distinctly remember … .

6. It involved … .

7. She would have enjoyed … .

8. Would you mind … .

9. He lost his mother at a young age and he badly needs … .

10. I don’t mind … .

11. Presently he suggested … .

d) as a prepositional object:

1. George wrote that he could not think of … .

2. Presently we were talking about … .

3. But that won’t prevent you from … .

4. You would tell me anything to keep me from … .

5. Thank you for … .

6. They persisted on … .

7. You haven’t thanked me yet for … .

8. He knew how to flatter her father into … .

9. He has not succeeded in … .

10. She was counting on … .

11. I could barely restrain myself from … .

12. Again they looked at each other sulkily this time, as if each suspected the other of … .

13. He insists on … .

14. My sister was never tired of … .

15. I was looking forward to … .

16. You are quite sure about … .

17. You are fond of … .

18. I’m good at … .

19. Ann was aware of … .

e) as an attribute:

1. I have really had no intension of … .

2. She has planned a way of … .

3. He had some vague scheme of … .

4. It was clear the dog had no intension of …

5. She gave the impression of … .

6. Not much in the habit of … .

7. The Captain had the reputation of … .

8. He had an opportunity of … .

9. I found the cause of … .

10. It occurred to me that there was an easy way of … .

11. He was possessed with a wild notion of … .

12. There was a reason for not … .

13. Ralph spoke in the hope of … .

14. I had, of course, no means of … .

15. With him there, she stood a better chance of … .

16. He described the methods of … .

17. I have the idea of … .

18. I got the knack of … .

19. This gave him a sense of … .

f) as an adverbial modifier:

1. We worked without … .

2. You’re trying to fight me inspite of … .

3. It would have been impossible to reach it without … .

4. He had to go there himself inspite of … .

5. He jumped to his feet and muttered an apology without … .

6. The pupil answered without … .

7. It could be made by … .

8. They looked at each other without … .

9. We are in dreadful danger and you share it by … .

10. She did not make a mistake because of … .

11. I shocked them by … .

12. She finished up by … .

13. He proved it by … .

14. He lit a cigarette before … .

15. She went there immediately on … .

Exercise 10.

State whether the -ing-form is the gerund or the verbal noun. Give your reasons.

1. Liza was able to make her own living by working at a factory. (S.M.)

2. When I imagined that on seeing his pictures I should get a clue to the understanding of his strange character I was mistaken. (S.M.)

3. He could feel that he was very close to a beginning of some sort, but he couldn’t tell what sort it would be. (W.S.)

4. Helen doesn’t jib at the washing-up and Dong is so handy on the boat. (P.W.)

5. He translated quite mechanically, without paying attention to the words as he wrote them one after the other. (S.M.)

6. It was everywhere perfectly still, save for the rustling of leaves and birds. (J.L.)

7. But the most striking thing about him was the feeling he gave you of suppressed fire. (S.M.)

8. You stay here, my man. No slipping off to warn your master. (A. Chr.)

9. … he hadn’t time for worrying about the weather. (F.F.)

10. The diary is useful for recording the idiosyncrasies of other people — but not one’s own. (A. Chr.)

11. I didn’t at all like the prospect of having to break the bad news to him. (P.W.)

Exercise 11.

Recast the following sentences so as to use phrases with the Gerund instead of subordinate clauses. Insert prepositions wherever necessary.

1. I reflected that I had seen him only once.

2. When I reached St. Petersburg I found waiting for me an urgent request that I should go to my mother’s place.

3. I called on my friends before I left.

4. When I left Moscow I corresponded with him.

5. And when you start a thing like that you don’t know what you’re letting yourself in for.

6. When she had turned the last page she decided that she would read the book again.

7. She was a trifle out of breath when she came to the third landing.

8. When Eva reached the restaurant she found that she was the last to arrive.

9. When Clare had had a cup of coffee and her bath … she began to feel much more herself.

10. When she had taken off her theatrical make-up she looked old and tired …

11. I suddenly remembered that I had seen that film.

Exercise 12.

Make up sentences using the following phrases with the gerund.

1. could not help smiling;

2. on hearing the news;

3. the habit of reading in bed;

4. a chance of speaking to her;

5. avoided looking at her;

6. without saying good-bye;

7. grew tired of repeating;

8. remembered reading;

9. had no intention of going;

10. gave up the idea of going;

11. worth taking a little trouble over;

12. instead of reading;

13. on the point of bursting into tears;

14. give up smoking;

15. after telling her (him);

16. would you mind my showing;

17. what do you mean by saying;

18. before answering;

19. serves him right for being;

20. forgive me for being.

Exercise 13.

Make up questions using the gerund after the following words or word combinations. Let your fellow students answer them.