The Absolute Participle Construction.
The construction contains the Participle that has its own subject. So the sentence consists of two parts - one part is a complete sentence with the subject and the predicate, but the other part contains the subject and the participle instead of the predicate. The participle is translated into Russian as the predicate of a (subordinate) clause. e.g. My son having lost the key, we could not enter the house. Поскольку мой сын потерял ключ, мы не могли войти в дом. The construction is called Absolute (independent) as the participle doesn't refer to the subject of the main part, but has its own subject. But as the construction is not an independent sentence itself it is translated into Russian either as a subordinate clause or a clause closely connected with the main one. The following connectives are used in Russian: когда, как только; так как, поскольку; если; при условии,что; причем, а, и; etc.
Ex.8. Try to define the right relation between the two parts of the sentence. Translate into Russian. 1. The rule explained, they started doing the exercises. 2. The conference (being) over, the participants made a tour of the city. 3. Weather permitting, we shall take a long walk. 4. The scientist having finished the experiment, the results were published in this journal. 5. There are a lot of museums in London, the biggest of them being the British Museum. 6. There being a lot of people in the hall, we could not enter. 7. We continued the work in the laboratory with the assistant helping us. 8. All preliminaries completed, the discussion was opened. 9. There being no dictionary, they couldn't proceed with the translation. 10. It being Saturday, everyone went out of town. 11. Dinner over, they moved to the sitting-room. 12. They all went away, he remaining at home. 13. A site for the construction having been chosen, the work started. 14. He works hard to pass his examinations, his sister doing her best to help him.
Ex.9. Combine the following sentences so as to use Absolute Participle Construction. 1. He stood at the door. His eyes were fixed on the portrait on the wall. 2. The boy was sitting at the table. His textbook was open. 3. They were walking along the street. Their hands were in their pockets. 4. The school year was over. All the schoolchildren got their certificates. 5. Breakfast was ready. All the family were gathering. 6. The concert was over. The audience greeted the singers with applause. 7. It was very cold. His collar was turned up. 8. There were no vacant seats in the hall. We went out of the building to come back some time later. 9. It will be rainy tomorrow. The kids will stay indoors.
Ex.10. Translate into English using some form of Participle. 1. Подойдя к окну, он открыл его и выглянул на улицу. 2. Понравилась ли вам статья, написанная Джоном? 3. Они хотели, чтобы этого человека нашли. 4. Будучи иностранцем, он не понимал многого в этой стране. 5. Мне нужно сфотографироваться. 6. Вы слышали, как повторили вопрос? 7. Так как было поздно, мы остались дома. 8. Когда вам поставят телефон? 9. Приехав в столицу, он сразу навестил своих друзей. 10. Никто из нас не видел, как доставили телеграмму. 11. Он надеялся, что ему погладят костюм в гостинице. 12. Поскольку ему сообщили эти новости, он уже принял решение. 13. Говорят, что статья, напечатанная во вчерашней газете, привлекла внимание официальных лиц. 14. Войдя в комнату, он увидел своих друзей, ожидавших его уже несколько часов. 15. Приехали делегации из десяти стран, причем Британия была представлена пятью специалистами. 16. Они наверняка приедут в конце следующей недели.
Ex.11. Read the English proverbs. Give the corresponding Russian ones. 1. A watched pot never boils. 2. Barking dogs seldom bite. 3. A drowning man will clutch at a straw. 4. A creaking gate hangs long. 5. Forbidden fruit is the sweetest. 6. A burnt child dreads the fire. 7. Wake not a sleeping lion. 8. Men are known by the company they keep. 9. Among the blind the one-eyed man is king. 10. Don't cry out before you are hurt. 11. Easier said than done. 12. A penny saved, a penny gained.
Gerund
The Gerund is a non-finite form of the VERB that names the action. So it is close to the NOUN in its meaning. Another feature of the noun in Gerund is that it is often used with a preposition. As a verbal form the Gerund can have the Voice forms (Active or Passive) and can be either perfect or non-perfect.
Compare different forms and functions of Gerund: 1. Subject. Chatting with a friend is always pleasant. Поговорить с другом всегда приятно. Being read is nice. Приятно, когда тебе читают. It is worth seeing the new exhibition. Новую выставку стоит посмотреть. There is no denying it. Этого нельзя отрицать. 2. Part of a Predicate. His hobby is collecting computer games. Его хобби - коллекционирование компьютерных игр. Start reading the text. Начинайте читать текст. The film is worth seeing. Фильм стоит посмотреть. They couldn't help laughing at the joke. Они не могли не засмеяться над шуткой. 3. Object. He gave up smoking last year. Он бросил курить в прошлом году. The boy likes being told stories. Мальчику нравится, когда ему рассказывают истории. They were proud of having been spoken of as brilliant students. Они гордились тем, что о них говорили как о блестящих студентах. Edward didn't mention having seen my brother. Эдвард не упомянул, что видел моего брата. 4. Attribute. (with a preposition). What is the sense of doing it? Какой смысл делать это? His aim of having come here was to discuss the urgent questions. Цель его прихода сюда была обсудить срочные вопросы. The importance of being taught a foreign lauguage is evident. Важность обучаться иностранному языку очевидна. 5. Adverbial modifier. of time, mode, reason, purpose, condition (with a preposition). She left the room without saying a word. Он вышел из комнаты, не говоря ни слова. In doing the work he encountered many difficulties. Выполняя работу, он столкнулся с многими трудностями. At hearing her name she started running away. Услышав свое имя, она побежала прочь. We went there with a view to seeing everything. Мы пошли туда с целью увидеть все.
Thus Gerund has some features both of a noun and a verb. What are they? Verb features: 1. it has Voice forms (Active or Passive), e.g. reading - being read 2. it shows the time relative to the time of the action expressed by the predicate, e.g. meeting (simultaneous action) having met (previous action) 3. it may have an object, e.g. Don't risk talking to him now. Не рискуйте говорить с ним сейчас. 4. it may be defined by an adverb, e.g. Excuse my coming so late. Извините, что я пришел так поздно. Noun features: 1. it may be used with a preposition, e.g. I insist on doing the work now. Я настаиваю на том, чтобы сделать работу сейчас. 2. it may have an attribute (noun or a pronoun), e.g. Does he mind my opening the window? 3. Он не возражает, если я открою окно? We often think of Mary's coming to see us. Мы часто думаем о приезде к нам Мэри.
These features make the Gerund function in a sentence in the way the nouns or verbs do. They also allow the Gerund to be translated into Russian in the following ways: - as a noun - as the infinitive of a verb - as the verb form "деепричастие" - as the verb in the finite form - in this case it is the predicate in a subordinate clause (see different examples of translating the Gerund above).
Ex.1. Define the function of the Gerund in the following sentences. 1. Interrupting people is bad. 2. I didn't like the idea of going there in the morning. 3. They stopped arguing. 4. His main occupation is reading historical novels. 5. Walking is good exercise. 6. It is worth seeing the new film. 7. The watch needs repairing. 8. On coming home we packed all things for the journey. 9. They are interested in establishing trade relations with this country. 10. Before doing the exercises look through the models. 11. We have every chance of booking the tickets in time. 12. He came in without knocking at the door. 13. Sometimes I have difficulty in breathing. 14. The windows want cleaning. 15. He finished speaking and sat down. 16. Before drawing conclusions you should carefully examine the facts. 17. We are interested in finding out the truth. 18. She has no experience in taking care of sick children. 19. Try the meat before offering it to our guests. 20. There is no royal road to learning.
Ex.2. Compare the forms of Gerund. Translate into Russian. 1. It is bad interrupting people. I can't say I like being interrupted. 2. I hate reminding you of such things. He hates being reminded of it every day. 3. William mentioned visiting the new museum. In our conversation he mentioned being visited by the detective. 4. We know of his helping people a lot. Being helped is very important in certain situations. 5. He was surprised at Jane's asking such a question. I was annoyed at being asked about it again. 6. I remember leaving a message to him. I don't mind being left a note if I'm out. 7. John can't stand treating people like that. I hate being treated like a child. 8. I enjoy driving my car in the country. She was sorry for not being taken for a drive last weekend. 9. We were tired of waiting for our friends. Being waited for is not good, so I always try to be in time. 10. The idea of buying a present for our teacher was discussed. I knew she would be surprised at being presented with this little puppy. 11. I think my little brother is capable of telling a lie to his friends. I have got used to being told lies here. 12. He took the chance of seeing off his friend at once. I objected to being seen off by the children as the hour was very late. 13. We couldn't help admiring the beautiful view of the mountains. She was used to being admired by everyone. 14. It is of no use listening to his advice now. The child's pleasure in being listened to was great.
Remark. No Passive Gerund is used in:
- The articles written by this reporter are always worth reading. - The dress needs washing. - The house required repairing.
Ex.3. Translate the sentences containing different forms of Gerund. 1. My friend often mentioned knowing Mr. Williams. 2. She spoke of having met him before. 3. Excuse me for having submitted my paper so late. 4. You must apologize for having interrupted their talk. 5. Upon making a few remarks he went out. 6. Howard was surprised at not having been asked anything. 7. You disappointed me by having invited Ann to our picnic. 8. They took great interest in collecting historical novels. 9. He succeeded in completing the paper by having worked day and night. 10. I also feel like having a cup of hot tea now. 11. He did a lot of dancing when he was younger. 12. They were afraid of having broken the beautiful old vase. 13. George was punished for having broken the rules. 14. I think they'll regret having treated their friends in such a way. 15. The man was imprisoned for having stolen a car. Ex.4. Explain the following word-combinations after studying the given examples. e.g. a smiling child – a child who is smiling a washing machine – a machine for washing clothes
Participle or Gerund? Drinking water, a publishing house, a flying bird, closing time, an ironing board, a burning house, wrapping paper, a smiling woman, a thrilling story, a developing country, a sleeping car, a sewing machine, a running competition, a booking office.
Ex.5. Complete the sentences using Gerund. 1. You can be proud of... 2. He started... 3. Shall we continue...? 4. They could help us by... 5. He strongly objects to... 6. The students begin their working day with... 7. The listeners looked at me without... 8. I have the pleasure of... 9. They watched TV instead of... 10. The girls are fond of... 11. You should avoid... 12. Does he mind...? 13. Many days passed and at last we succeeded in... 14. I can tell you one thing, I'm tired of... 15. We didn't insist on... 16. You shouldn't be afraid of... 17. Do you think we can afford...? 18. I am surprised at... 19. The film is very good. It is worth... 20. Your clothes are wet. They need...
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