The gerund is a non-finite form of the
verb with some nominal features. It is formed ba adding the suffix –ing to the
stem of the verb. The gfammatical meaning of the gerund is that of a process. E.g.
tell-telling
Like all
the verbals the gerund can form predicative constructions, i. e. constructions
in which the verbal element expressed by the gerund is in predicate relation to
the nominal element expressed by a noun or pronoun .
I don't
like your going off without any money. (Maltz) — Мне не
нравится, что вы
уходите без денег.Here the gerund going off is in predicate relation to the pronoun your,
which denotes the doer of the action expressed by the gerund.
The nominal
element of the construction can be expressed in different ways.
1. If it denotes a living being it may be
expressed:
(a) by a noun in the genitive case or by a
possessive pronoun.
His further
consideration of the point was prevented by Richard's coming back to us in an
excited state. (Dickens) — Его дальнейшие размышления были прерваны
тем, что вернулся РичарА в чрезвычайно возбужденном состоянии. Do you mind ту
smoking? (Hardy) — Вы ничего не имеете против того, чтобы я курил?
(b) by a noun in the common case.
I have a
distinct recollection of Lady Chiltern always getting the good conduct prize! (Wilde)
— Я отлично помню, что леди Чиль- терн всегда получала награды за примерное поведение.
Note. Thus in Modern English there are two parallel
constructions of the type:
Fancy
David's courting Emily! and Fancy David courting Emily/These two constructions
may be used indifferently, but sometimes there is a slight difference in
meaning: in the first example the action (the verbal element of the
construction) is emphasized, whereas in the second the doer of the action (the
nominal element of the construction) is emphasized.
Occasionally examples are found where the
nominal element of the construction is expressed by a pronoun in the objective
case.
I hope you
will forgive me disturbing you. (Du Maurier) — Надеюсь, вы простите
меня за то, что я вас побеспокоил.
There are
cases when the nominal element of the construction, though denoting a living
being, cannot be expressed by a noun in the possessive case, but only by a noun
in the common case, namely when it consists of two or more nouns or when it is
a noun modified by an attribute in post-position.
I object to
Mary and Jane going out on such a windy day. He felt no uneasiness now in the
thought of the brother and sister being alone together. (Eliot) — Его
теперь не смущала мысль o том, что брат и сестра остались вдвоем.
Did you ever hear of a man of sense rejecting such an
offer? — Слышали ли вы когда-нибудь, чтобы разумный человек отказался от
такого предложения?
2. If the nominal element of the construction
denotes a lifeless thing, it is expressed by a noun in the common case (such
nouns, as a rule, are not used in the genitive case) or by a possessive
pronoun.
I said
something about my clock being slow. (Du Maurier) - Я сказала, что мои
часы отстают.
...
Peggotty spoke of... my room, and of its being ready for me. (Dickens) —
... Пеготти говорила., о моей комнате и о том, что она уже приготовлена для
меня.
3. The nominal element of the construction can
also be expressed by a pronoun which has no case distinctions, such as all,
this, that, both each, something.
I insist on
bof/i of them coming in time. — Я требую, чтобы они
оба пришли вовремя.
Again
Michael... was conscious of something deep and private stirring within
himself. (Galsworthy) — Майкл опять почувствовал, что в его душе
шевельнулось что-то глубокое и затаенное.
Note. Some grammarians recognize the existence of
two separate constructions: the gerundial construction (a construction whose
nominal element is expressed by a noun in the genitive case or by a possessive
pronoun) and a construction with a half gerund (a construction whose nominal
element is expressed by a noun in the common case, a pronoun in the objective
case, or a pronoun which has no case distinctions).
Elementary
Intermediate
Advanced
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