Exercise 8. Define the function of the gerund in the following sentences.

1.It's no use pretending you didn't know. 2.I gave up smoking last year. 3.I enjoyed having worked with you. 4.I can't help feeling that there has been a mistake. 5.She insists on seeing her lawyer. 6.I don't mind waiting. 7.Stephen has just begun learning to drive. 8.If you finished eating you may leave the table. 9.He is good at repairing bikes. 10.Digging holes is hard work. 11.He was convicted of murdering the policeman. 12.This skirt needs letting down. 13.If he persists in asking awkward questions, then send him to the boss. 14.I hate doing the washing-up. 15.I feel like having a nice cool glass of lemonade. 16.He got up and started running again. 17.If you go on drinking like this you'll make yourself ill. 18.I appreciate being given this opportunity. 19.A lot of the small towns in the area are definitely worth visiting. 20.She finds it boring staying at home. 21. Missing a meal once in a while never did anyone any harm. 22. I'm thinking of going to look for mushrooms. 23. The film is worth seeing. 24. Motor vehicles are prohibited from driving in the town centre. 25. Pilcher was suspected of giving away government secrets to the enemy. 26. Don't rely on finding me here when you get back. 27. I was hurried into an unwise decision.

The gerund as attribute.

After Nouns.

In these sentence patterns the gerund is used after prepositions.

4.1.1.

There is no sense in getting upset about it. - "In getting upset" is the gerund which is used in the function of an attribute.

You could always ask Jim if they need any more staff in his office. There's no harm in asking.

NOTE:

Occasionally the informal usage of the gerund without the preposition in this sentence pattern can be found.

4.1.2.

Ben has shown an interest in learning French. - "In learning French" is the gerund which is used in the function of an attribute.

I see little point in discussing this further.

4.1.3.

I have no interest in continuing this conversation.-“In continuing” is the gerund which is used in the function of an attribute.

4.1.4.

I have no intention of retiring just yet. - "Of retiring" is the gerund which is used in the function of an attribute.

Jeff was in the habit of taking a walk after dinner.

Somebody can't (doesn't) see the point in / of doing something.

Compare:

There's no point in worrying.

We're going to lose anyway, so I can't see the point ofplaying.

I didn't see the point inmoving to London.

There is no point arguing about it, just do as you're told. (informal)

What's the point ofcomplaining now?

NOTE:

Occasionally the sentence pattern without prepositions can be found in informal usage.

We had no trouble finding the address.

I've been having trouble checking my e-mail.

4.1.5.

You've got a lot of experience of lecturing. – “Of lecturing” is the gerund in the function of an attribute.

David had no previous experience of managing a farm.

The purpose of conducting a business is to make money.

She has a fear of going out in the dark.

I make no apology for repeating the question.

There are strong grounds for believing his statement.

Compare:

What's the sense of doing that?

There's no sense in going there alone.

Before Nouns

Exercise 9. Match each adjective in column A with the appropriate noun in column B. Compose your own sentences using the expressions:

A B

1 carving A board

2 shaving B rod

3 building C bag

4 diving D stone

5 watering E license

6 parking F powder

7 driving G knife

8 filling H can

9 paving I water

10 walking J site

11 fishing K cream

12 sleeping L space

13 ironing M station

14 washing N stick

15 drinking O board

Example: His curving knife was on the table.(1-G)

Exercise 10. Supply the necessary preposition:

1.Ordinary people lived in fear ___ being arrested by the secret police. 2.Her main purpose ___ suing the newspaper was to clear her name. 3.I came to Brighton with the purpose ____ seeing you. 4.Imagine my surprise ___ seeing her there. 5.People gave many different reasons ____ wanting to change jobs. 6.Doreen owes him an apology _____ treating him so badly. 7.There is not much point ____ complaining. 8.His decision _______ going on holiday surprised everyone. 9.I have no objection ____ hearing your story again. 10. I don't like his habit ____ making people wait. 11. He used the bad weather as an excuse ____ for not coming. 12. What are the advantages ___ living in the town? 13. There's no way ____ making my father see reason. 14. What are your reasons ______ leaving the job? 15. We had difficulty ____ finding a parking. 16. We came to the island in the hope ____ finding a simpler way of life.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 1398