2.2 The function of the gerund in the sentence
The gerund may be used in various syntactic functions. A single gerund occurs but seldom; in most cases we find a gerundial phrase or a gerundial construction.
1) The gerund as a subject.
Talking mends no holes. – Разговоры не помогают в беде.
Waiting for the professor was a lame excuse for doing nothing. – То, что мы ждали профессора, было слабым оправданием тому, что мы ничего не делали.
My answering in the affirmative gave him great satisfaction. – То, что я ответил утвердительно, было ему очень приятно (1, 106).
The gerund used as a subject may follow the predicate; in these cases the sentence opens with the introductory it (which serves as an introductory subject) or with the construction there is.
It’s no use talking like that to me. – Бесполезно говорить со мной в таком тоне.
There was no mistaking the expression on her face. – Выражение ее лица нельзя было не понять.
NOTE. – There is another view according to which it is the subject and the rest of the sentence is the predicate.
2) The as a predicative.
The only remedy for such a headache as mine is going to bed. – Единственное средство от такой головной боли, как у меня, – это лечь спать.
3) The gerund as part of a compound verbal predicate.
- With verbs and verbal phrases denoting modality the gerund forms part of a compound verbal modal predicate.
We intend going to Switzerland and climbing Mount Blanc. – Мы хотим поехать в Швейцарию и подняться на Монблан.
Joseph could not help admiring the man. – Джозеф не мог не восхищаться этим человеком.
- With verbs denoting the beginning, the duration or the end of an action, the gerund forms part of a compound verbal aspect predicate.
She began sobbing and weeping. – Она начала рыдать и ныть.
The manager has finished dictating a letter to the secretary. – Менеджер закончил диктовать письмо секретарю.
I avoid speaking to him on this matter. – Я избегаю разговаривать с ним в такой манере.
In the night it started raining. – Ночью начался дождь (7 – 257).
4) The gerund as an object.
The gerund may be used as a direct object and as a prepositional indirect object.
I simply love riding. – Я просто обожаю кататься верхом.
She enjoyed singing and playing to him. – Ей доставляло удовольствие петь и играть для него.
The times were good for building… - Время для постройки дома было самое подходящее.
Charlie did not succeed in talking things easily. – Чарли не удавалось смотреть легко на вещи.
Predicative constructions with the gerund form a complex object as they consist of two distinct elements, nominal and verbal.
Perhaps you would’t mind Richard’s coming in? – Может быть, вы не будете возражать против того, чтобы вошел Ричард?
Aunt Augusta won’t quite approve of your being here. – Тетя Августа будет не очень довольна тем, что вы здесь (15, 181 – 182).
5) The gerund as an attribute.
In this function the gerund is always preceded by a preposition.
There are different ways of solving this problem. – Существуют разные способы решения этой проблемы.
We discussed different methods of teaching foreign languages. – Мы обсуждали разные методы изучения иностранных языков.
He has no objection to being sent there. – У него нет возможностей, что его туда послали (7, 254).
6) The gerund as an adverbial modifier.
In this function the gerund is always preceded by a preposition. It is used in the function of an adverbial modifier of time, manner, attendant circumstances, cause, condition, purpose and concession; the most common functions are those of adverbial modifiers of time, manner and attendant circumstances.
- As an adverbial modifier of time the gerund is preceded by the prepositions after, before, on, upon, in, or at.
After leaving her umbrella in the hall, she entered the living room. – Оставив зонтик в передней, она вошла в гостиную.
He was to have three days at home before going back to farm. – Он должен был пробыть три дня дома, прежде чем возвратиться на ферму.
Clare turned at hearing her footsteps… - Услышав ее шаги, Клер оглянулся.
NOTE. – In the function of an adverbial modifier of time gerund sometimes competes with the participle.
George, on hearing the story, grinned. – Джордж, услышав эту историю, усмехнулся.
The four girls, hearing him speak in the hall, rushed out of the library. – Все четыре девочки, услышав, что он говорит в передней, выбежали из библиотеки.
After reaching the second landing… I heard a sound of quiet, and regular breathing on my left-hand side. – Дойдя до второй площади лестницы, … я услышал с левой стороны спокойное и ровное дыхание.
Reaching the door of the room occupied by Cowperwood and Aileen, she tapped lightly. – Дойдя до двери комнаты, которую занимали Каупер Вуд и Эллин, она тихонько послушала.
- As an adverbial modifier of manner the gerund is used with the preposition by or in.
She startled her father by bursting into tears. – Она напугала своего отца тем, что расплакалась.
The day was spent in packing. – День прошел за упаковкой вещей.
- As an adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances the gerund is preceded by the preposition without.
She was not brilliant, not active, but rather peaceful and statuesque without knowing it. – Это была женщина не блестящая, не энергичная, но очень спокойная и величественная, сама того не зная.
- As an adverbial modifier of purpose, the gerund is chiefly used with the preposition for.
… one side of the gallery was used for dancing. - … одна сторона галереи использовалась для танцев.
- As an adverbial modifier of condition the gerund is preceded by the preposition without.
He has no right to come bothering you and papa without being invited. – Он не имеет права приходить и беспокоить вас и отца, если его не приглашают.
- As an adverbial modifier of clause the gerund is used with the preposition for, for fear of, owing to.
I feel the better myself for having spent a good deal of time abroad. – Я чувствую себя лучше от того, что долго прожил за границей.
I dared not attend the funeral for fear of making a fool of myself. – Я не смел, присутствовать на похоронах, так как боялся поставить себя в глупое положение.
- As an adverbial modifier of concession the gerund is preceded by the preposition in spite of.
In spite of being busy, he did all he could to help her. – Несмотря на занятость, он сделал все, чтобы помочь ей.
The above examples show that the gerund preceded by one and the some preposition may be used in different functions: with the preposition without, it may be perform the function of an adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances and of condition; with the preposition in, it may be perform the function of an adverbial modifier of time and of manner; with the preposition for, it may perform the function of an adverbial modifier of purpose or of cause.
NOTE. – The Russian не + деепричастие may correspond to the English without + Gerund or not + Participle. It usually corresponds to not + Participle if it’s used in the function of an adverbial modifier of cause.
Не зная адреса мисс Бетти, Давид не мог ей написать. – Not knowing Miss Betsey’s address, David could not write to her (CAUSE).
If нет + деепричастие is used in the function of adverbial modifiers of attendant circumstances and of condition, it generally corresponds to without + Gerund.
Давид уехал из Лондона, никому ничего не сказав. – David left London without telling anybody about it (ATTENDANT CIRCUMSTANCES) (15, 183 – 184).
Section III. The gerund and other verbals
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