The gerundial construction

In the examples discussed the subject of the main verb is also the subject of the Gerund, but there are cases when the Gerund is related to its own " subject", expressed by a noun or pronoun.

□ We appreciate your helping us.

Мы (высоко) ценим вашу помощь (то, что вы помогли).

□ We enjoyed the band's playing very much.

Нам очень понравилось то, как играл оркестр.

A gerundial construction is nearly always rendered in Russian by a clause, generally introduced by " то, что" /" тем, что" /" как". The nominal element of the construction can be expressed in different ways:

1. If it denotes a living being it may be expressed by a possessive pronoun or a noun in the possessive case.

□ Do you mind my smoking?

□ Our talk was prevented by Richard's coming back.

When the nominal element consists of two or more nouns, possessive case is not used.

□ I object to Mary and Jane going out on such a windy day.

2. If the nominal element denotes a lifeless thing it is expressed by a noun in the common case.

□ I said something about my clock being slow.

□ Her thoughts were interrupted by the door opening gently.

Ex. 12. (A, B) Translate the sentences from English into Russian.

1. She turned round on his entering the room. 2. She can't bear thinking of it or speaking of it. And your saying that reminded her. 3. But of course someone might have gone to the table without your noticing? 4. It was no good your doing things by halves. 5. I was too absorbed in my crying. 6. He complained, " I don't like the idea of you all going off from early morning till late at night. I don't like being alone, quite frankly." 7. She changed the style of her dancing, her feet moved more quickly, and did not keep so strictly to the ground. 8. I can't bear the thought of your deserting your post when your presence is so necessary.

Ex. 13. (В) Write the following sentences again, using Gerunds.

Model 1: The children are making such a noise. Can you stop them making such a noise?

Model 2: Students must write their corrections carefully. The teacher insists on....

The teacher insists on students' writing their corrections carefully.

1. I told you that my watch was five minutes slow. Have you forgotten...? 2. He allows his son to drive his car. He doesn't mind.... 3. No one helped her with her homework. She did her homework without.... 4. He got my letter although I had addressed it wrongly. He got my letter in spite of.... 5. I beat him at tennis, and he wasn't pleased at all. He hated.... 6. Did you give me back the book I lent you? I can't remember....7. She was afraid that the baby would fall out of the bed. She was afraid of.... 8. The old lady said I could open the window. She didn't mind.... 9. I'm sure he asked you not to phone after 11 p.m. Have you forgotten...? 10 He doesn't believe that a boy of twelve should have too much pocket-money. He doesn't believe in.... 11. My father doesn't like me to stay out late at night. He doesn't like....

Ex. 14. (В, С) Translate the sentences from into English using gerundial phrases.

1. Ему не нравилась идея, что я одна поеду на Кав­каз. 2. Представь себе, ей хотелось знать, что его беспо­коит. 3. Он настаивает, чтобы я держала окна открыты­ми независимо от погоды. 4. Вы не возражаете, если я поработаю сегодня в вашем кабинете? 5. Я удивлена, что вы оставили маленького мальчика одного дома. 6. Вы помните, я вам говорила, что мой муж инженер. 7. Я не могу себе представить, чтобы вы так долго сидели в чи­тальном зале. 8. Казалось, что мне не было больше нужды оставаться в Москве. 9. Интересно, как она вошла в дом так, что мы не видели ее. 10. Вы не возражаете, если я сегодня вечером поработаю за вашим столом? 11. Они сидели в тече­ние некоторого времени, не разговаривая. 10. Они на­стаивали, чтобы я вернулся ровно в два часа. 12. Я надеюсь, вы не возражаете против того, чтобы я вас навещал каж­дую субботу. 13. Он выслушал приказ, ни о чем не спра­шивая. 14. Она покачала головой, не отвечая на его вопрос. 15. Извините, что я вошел без стука.