- •1.3.1 Infinitive as subject (Additional Information)
- •1.3.2 The infinitive as object (Additional Information)
- •(Verbals)
- •Verbal Predicate
- •The infinitive
- •The infinitive can be:
- •1.1 Forms of the infinitive
- •1.2. The bare infinitive and the to-infinitive the use of the bare infinitive
- •1.2.1 “Let”, “make”, “would rather/ sooner” and “had better”
- •1.3. The functions of the infinitive
- •1.4.1 The for-to-infinitive construction
- •In translating this construction into Russian a subordinate clause or an infinitive is used.
- •Sentence patterns with the for-phrase
- •Practice
- •1.4.2 The Objective with the Infinitive Construction (Complex object)
- •1.4.3 The subjective infinitive construction (complex subject) (the Nominative-with-the-lnfinitive Construction)
- •Participle
- •Participle as predicative:participle I as predicative
- •Participle II as predicative
- •Participle as attribute participle I as attribute
- •Participle II as attribute
- •Participle as object Participle I may function as part of a predicative construction entering into a predicative relationship with some nominal element and forming a syntactical unit with it.
- •Participle as adverbial modifier participle I as adverbial modifier
- •Participle II as adverbial modifier
- •Gerund The Gerund
- •The Grammatical Categories of the Gerund
- •The Forms of the Gerund The Category of Correlation (perfect – non-perfect)
- •The Category of Voice (active – passive)
- •Syntactical Functions of the Gerund
- •The Gerund as Subject
- •The Gerund as Object
- •The Gerund as Attribute
- •The Gerund as Adverbial Modifier
The Gerund as Attribute
When used as an attribute, the gerund modifies nouns, mainly abstract nouns. It is always preceded by a preposition, in the vast majority of cases of, as in the following combinations: the art of teaching, the habit of speaking, a certain way of walking, a chance of seeing somebody, a hope of getting a ticket, an idea of going to the cinema, an intention of learning another foreign language, etc.
There is a chance of catching the train.
Professor N spoke about new methods of teaching English to foreign students.
The idea of him being in Paris was not a pleasant one.
Lucy had the impression of being carried upstairs.
Isn't there any hope of your being able to go with us at all?
When it modifies an abstract noun, the gerund is often used to reveal its meaning, expressing the same notion in a more detailed way. In this case the gerund functions as a particular kind of attribute, called apposition. This in: There is a chance of finding him at home the gerundial phrase explains what the chance consists in.
When a gerund modifies a concrete noun it is preceded by the preposition for and the whole gerundial phrase as attribute expresses the purpose or destination of the thing mentioned.
The barometer is an instrument for measuring the pressure of the air.
A gerund as attribute may precede the noun it modifies in phrases bordering on a compound noun. A premodifying attribute is used without a preposition, as in a dancing master, a driving suit, a reading lamp, a spending habit, a working method.
The Gerund as Adverbial Modifier
Owing to the variety of prepositions which may precede the gerund in the function of an adverbial modifier, a gerund may have different meanings.
1) As an adverbial modifier of time it may characterize the main verb from the viewpoint of priority, simultaneity, or posteriority. It may also indicate the starting point of the action. The prepositions used are on, after, in, before, since.
One day, on returning to his hotel, he found a note in his room. At first he couldn't understand. After thinking it over he hit upon the explanation.
And I'll wash the dishes and clean up before coming to bed.
I had had a lot of thoughts since leaving the office.
2) As an adverbial modifier of reason it is introduced by the prepositions because of, for, from, for fear of, on account of.
So you see I couldn't sleep for worrying.
We lost ourselves through not knowing the way.
He (Jolyon) took care not to face the future for fear of breaking up his untroubled manner.
3) As an adverbial modifier of manner the gerund generally occurs with the prepositions by or without.
You will achieve a lot by telling the truth.
She dressed without making a sound.
4) As an adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances it requires the preposition without.
They danced without speaking.
The door opened without having been knocked on.
5) As an adverbial modifier of concession it is preceded by the preposition in spite of:
I don't ask any questions in spite of there being a lot of questions to ask.
6) As an adverbial modifier of condition it takes the prepositions without, but for, in case of.
You won't enrich your vocabulary without making use of an English dictionary.
But for meeting John, I shouldn't have become an English teacher.
7) As an adverbial modifier of purpose it is introduced by the preposition for, though this pattern is rather rare.
They took her to the station for questioning.