THE GERUND

1. Translate into Romanian pointing out the gerunds in each sentence and show their
function:
a) Avoid making mistakes in your composition. 2. He admitted having done wrong. 3.
She delayed answering my complaint. 4. He denied knowing anything about the plan
of his friends. 5. This room needs dusting. 6. Their house wants repairing. 7. He
finished reading the novel.
b) He was fined for crossing when the red light was on. 2. Owing to his starting late he
couldnt be in time for the flight for which he had booked a seat. 3. He didnt write his
examination paper because of his being late.
c) On arriving they called us up. 2. After having received your letter well be able to look
into the matter. 3. Think before speaking.
d) He succeeded in convincing us he was right. 2. We insisted on going there
immediately. 3. I relied on receiving a correct answer. 4. I look forward to hearing
from you soon. 5. I thought of replying at once. 6. I prevented them from doing such a
thing.
e) She was angry at his laughing at her. 2. I was fond of reading fiction. 3. I was
surprised at hearing such news. 4. What is worth doing is worth doing well.
f) There was no hope of succeeding in our attempt. 2. The Importance of Being
Earnest is a play by Oscar Wilde. 3. Youll have your chance of saying what you
think. 4. There was a possibility of getting better results.
2. Translate into English using gerunds wherever possible:
1. Citirea crilor de beletristic este un lucru plcut i interesant. 2. Este util s
citeti cri noi. 3. A citi cri este o ocupaie util. 4. Inteniona s plece mai
devreme. 5. ncet s mai citeasc. 6. A reuit s gseasc soluia problemei. 7.
mi place s cltoresc. 8. Ploaia l-a mpiedicat s ajung la timp. 9. Nu avea nici
o obiecie ca el s mai rmn cteva zile. 10. Nu avea intenia de a te jigni. 11.
Cu toate c era tnr, cunotea meseria sa foarte bine. 12. Datorit faptului c ai
plecat mai devreme, ai prins trenul. 13. Problema a fost dat spre a fi rezolvat.
14. i-au petrecut ziua certndu-se. 15. Te supr dac fumez aici? 16. N-am
nimic mpotriv ca el s lucreze n aceast camer. 17. mi place s citesc seara.
3. Translate into English, using set phrases such as:
It is no use; it is no good; it is worth (while), cant help; cant stand (cant bear):
1. Nu are rost s plngi dup laptele vrsat. 2. Aceast carte merit s fie citit. 3.
Nu are rost s cumperi aceti pantofi, cci nu sunt msura ta. 4. Nu m pot abine
s rd cnd l aud cum se flete. 5. Merit osteneala s te duci s vezi aceast
expoziie. 6. Nu poate s suporte s se rd de el.
4. Complete the following sentences using gerunds:
Model: a) I stopped
I stopped talking.
1. I postponed
2. He hates
3. They suggested
4. Would you mind

5. Excuse
6. We deferred
Model: b) He expressed his disappointment at
He expressed his disappointment at having been cheated.
1. Im in the habit of 2. Whats your reason for 3. He showed surprise at 4. I
had the pleasure of 5. Fancy the idea of 6. A friend put him in the way of 7.
His habit of
Model: c) He was accused of
He was accused of having broken the laws.
1. Im engaged in 2. She objected to 3. We have devoted our attention to 4.
They have succeeded in 5. He felt like 6. He complained of 7. Thank you
for 8. They aimed at 9. They abstained from 10. In the classroom, I refrain
from
Model: d) Im proud of
Im proud of having such good results in my examinations.
1. They were afraid of 2. Im capable of 3. We are fond of 4. They were
tired of
4. Translate into English using
a) the Genitive with the Gerund construction:
1. mi place c el spune asta. 2. Nu am nimic mpotriv ca ea s fumeze aici. 3. Ei
i displcea ca el s fumeze igri din foi. 4. El apreciaz foarte mult participarea
Mariei la discuie. 5. Contez pe faptul c m va ajuta s rezolvm chestiunea.
b) the Accusative with the Gerund
1. Ea apreciaz (faptul) c ei colaboreaz n aceste probleme dificile. 2. Te superi
dac iau cu mprumut aceste cri? 3. Ploaia a mpiedicat plecarea mea. 4. M-am
gndit ca el s mearg nentrziat acolo.
6. Replace the subordinate clauses by gerunds:
1. I insist that he should help us in the present circumstances. 2. I remember that I
have read this book. 3. He admitted that he had made a mistake. 4. He objected
that we should leave so soon. 5. We are keen that you should come and see us. 6. I
prefer that you should make up your mind at once. 7. I decided that I should reply
at once.