Predicative Constructions with the Gerund

A Gerundial Construction is a syntactical unit consisting of a nominal element (a noun or a pronoun) and a verbal element (a gerund). The Gerund is in predicate relation to the noun or pronoun. The Gerundial Construction is used when the doer of the action of the Gerund does not coincide with the subject of the sentence.
		The Nominal Element	+	The Verbal Element
		The man’s
		The man
		His
		Him	talking to me		surprised me.
		This
		Everybody
		Some
The nominal element of the Construction can be expressed by:
1.	A noun in the Genitive case or a pronoun in the Possessive case denoting a living being.
	She hadn’t known how much she had missed Jake’s supporting her these two last years. Did he object to his father’s leaving so early? I insist on your meeting with our business partners in Spain.
2.	A noun in the Common case or a pronoun in the Objective case (me, you, her, him us, them).
	It’s like people trying to get to the moon. We don’t mind Caroline working on papers alone. It won’t do any good us getting all worked up (взвинчивать себя).
3.	A noun in the Common case or a possessive pronoun if the nominal element of the Construction denotes a lifeless thing.
	He didn’t mind the car blocking the door. He didn’t mind either the car or even its blocking the way.
4.	A pronoun which has no category of case (such as, for instance, demonstrative, universal and indefinite pronouns: all, this, that, both, each, something, etc.)
	I looked at my friends and was surprised at both (each, all) of them being puzzled. Your generosity takes some getting used to. You and I have some talking to do. She was responsible for this being done properly.

* A Gerundial Construction is nearly always rendered in Ukrainian by a subordinate clause.

The Gerund and the Infinitive

Verbs Followed by the Gerund
Verb + verb + -ing structure is used to focus on:
a.	○ an action or state before the action of the first verb:
		He misses seeing his wife and children. She admitted taking a bribe.
b.	○ the activity itself. The second verb functions like a noun:
		I dislike travelling. The have postponed using the new model.
Verbs Followed by the Gerund and the Infinitive
Certain verbs: remember and forget, regret, try, stop, mean, go on, need are followed by either an infinitive or a gerund but the choice leads to a change in the meaning.
She remembered to turn off her headlights. (= she didn’t forget) She remembers turning off her headlights. (= she has a clear memory of this)
I will never forget meeting Princess Diana. (= I will always remember) I sometimes forget to wear my badge. (= fail to remember)
I mean to see her later this week. (= I intend to) I could get a better job but it would mean moving. (= involve)
He was an alcoholic but stopped drinking. (= ceased) He stopped to have a drink on the way back home. (= in order to)
Why don’t you try giving the staff greater autonomy? (= experiment and see what happens) He tried to learn car maintenance but gave up. (= attempted / made an effort)
I regret spending all that money. (= feel sorry for something that happened in the past). I regret to inform you that you are fired. (= feel sorry for something you are doing)
The teacher told everyone to be quiet, but they just went on talking. (= continued doing it) The teacher introduced herself and went on to explain about the course. (= do something else, do the next thing)
My shoes need cleaning. (= need to be cleaned) I need to clean my shoes. (= I have to clean them)

Exercise 1

Translate the sentences with the Gerund into Ukrainian

1. We all like listening to his lectures.

2. They started working two days ago.

3. His coming so late seemed strange to everybody.

4. Do you mind closing the door?

5. Do you mind my closing the door?

6. Examining the manuscript through a lense gave interesting results.

7. Excuse my being so late.

8. We regretted our having missed the opening lecture.

9. We regret his not being sent to the conference.

10. There is hardly any person who likes being criticized.

11. Stop asking me about it.

12. It is worth while remembering this rule.

13. These words are worth remembering.

14. I can't help laughing when I think of it.

15. I don't feel like telling them all about our plans.

16. He hates being interrupted.

17. It's no use arguing now.

18. He gave up smoking last year.

19. Your watch wants repairing.

20. It was no good asking him.

21. I prefer speaking to him myself.

Exercise 2

Determine the form of the Gerund. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian

8. Smoking is harmful.

9. It all depends on the problem being solved.

10. They regretted having told him about it.

11. There is a little probability of financial assistance being provided this year.

12. He denied having been there.

13. He was punished by being sent to bed without any supper.

14. The safe showed no signs of having been touched.

15. Forgive my ringing you up so early.

16. He didn’t remember having met that man before.

17. Would you mind showing us the whole process?

18. Implementing market reforms is a lengthy process.

19. She finished doing her accounts yesterday.

20. We have succeeded in maintaining productivity level over the whole period.

Exercise 3

Mind the difference between the Indefinite and Perfect Gerund forms. Translate the following sentences into Ukrainian

1. The thunder is caused by heating the air by a spark.

2. We know of his house being destroyed by a stroke of lightning.

3. After having studied the phenomenon of atmospheric electricity Franklin invented the lightning conductor.

4. Before my speech being ended the public has applauded several times.

5. This was the speech he had prepared before coming.

6. How do you feel about their having got married?

7. Do you mind my asking you a question?

8. I didn’t like having to think about it.

9. They were sitting together in the bar after having had an excellent dinner.

10. She thanked him for having helped her with her luggage.

11. I insist on their going on a business trip to New York immediately.

12. Without hearing my greetings he passed by.

13. I insisted on their having gone on a business trip to New York two weeks before.

Exercise 4

State the syntactic functions of the Gerund in the following sentences. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian

1. Reading is a great habit.

2. He likes going to the cinema once a week.

3. Please leave the room without banging the door.

4. I don’t believe in having a good time at her place.

5. I never have an opportunity of going to work on foot, because I’m always in a hurry.

6. I don’t feel like laughing over it.

7. After leaving his friend, Francis went to a shop and bought his fiancée a necklace.

8. It’s bad best-selling such stuff as this author writes.

9. His eyes began travelling slowly around the lawn.

10. Dancing gracefully was her major accomplishment.

11. Tom was standing in riding clothes on the front porch.