Unit 15. Gerund

The gerund has the following forms:

	Active	Passive
Indefinite	Ing	being +3. /ed
Perfect	having + 3/ed	Having+ been+ 3/ed

We use the gerund:

- as the subject of a sentence: Exporting will be our main objective next year;

- as the object of a sentence: I’ve always enjoyed reading;

- after verbs:

admit, mind, appreciate, avoid, consider, can’t stand, can’t help, delay, enjoy, finish, imagine, involve, postpone, propose, risk, stop, suggest, to be worth;

- after prepositions:

after, before, by, when, while, without;

- after verbs and expressions followed by prepositions:

be interested in; be good at smth., be fond of, be for/against, be used to, instead of, feel like, think of/about, look forward to, succeed in, approve of, insist on, object to, it’s no use;

e. g. It’s no use asking him.

Exercise 1. Put the verbs in brackets into the gerund. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian.

1. Stop (argue) and start (work).

2. The boss is against (make) any complaints.

3. I’m thinking of (retire) and (go) to Ukraine.

4. If he puts his money into that business he risks (lose) everything.

5. If a thing is worth (do) at all it is worth (do) well.

6. He hates (borrow) money.

7. I can’t stand their (waste) so much time.

8. I thanked him for (solve) the problem quickly.

9. I suggest (postpone) the meeting.

10. It’s no good (complain). Nothing can be done.

11. I can’t help (think) about the interview.

12. We avoid (keep) late hours. Our working day begins very early.

13. The secretary admitted (steal) the money.

14. I believe he is capable of (solve) this problem.

Exercise 2. Finish these sentences using a gerund:

1. My favorite activity is … .

2. He can’t stand … .

3. He is good at … .

4. Some people just can’t help … .

5. We are used to … .

6. I am interested in … .

7. This company is worth … .

8. The customer wants to know who was responsible for … .

9. I feel like … .

10. He admitted … .

11. I am thinking of … .

12. … was the key to the company’s success.

13. It’s no use of … .

14. Avoid … .

Exercise 3. Complete these sentences using the gerund form of one of the verbs below:

give, get, make, have, lose, help, work, discuss, get, worry, meet, analyze, cry, buy, reduce;

1. He is interested in … the shares of this company.

2. It’s no use … over split milk.

3. This job involves … our international transactions.

4. We are looking forward to … the new Sales Manger.

5. It isn’t worth … about it.

6. You risk … bad results.

7. As we don’t agree about company policy we avoid … this subject.

8. We don’t mind … overtime, if it help the company.

9. You mustn’t insist on … him.

10. By delaying we risk … this contract.

11. I can’t imagine not … a computer in my office.

12. He apologized for … this serious mistake.

13. He is very pleased with … the job he wanted.

14. It’s no good … her advice, as she never listens.

15. Overstaffing should be solved by … the workforce.