d) as an attribute: 1. It was very kind o f you to have taken the trouble o f ___ . 2. The idea o f ___ was
extremely exciting. 3 . 1 can’t make out the reason f o r ___ . 4. There was little hope o f ___ . 5. He is
well known for his skill i n ___. 6. In summer you will have the chance o f ___. 7. Do you have any
objections t o ___ ? 8. At the party I had the pleasure o f ___ . 9. He displayed no interest i n ___ . 10.
He very quickly got into the habit o f
11. You should have seen her surprise a t ___. 12. I have
got no experience i n ___ . 13. This is the most perfect instrument f o r ___ . 14. What is the most
effective method o f ___ ? 1 5 .1 have no intention o f ___ . 16.1 hate the idea o f ___ .
e) as an adverbial modifier: 1. His outlook broadened a fte r__ _. 2. I don’t want to raise the false hopes b y ___ . 3. You
will have to take my words on faith b e fo re ___ . 4. He was so much irritated that o n ___ he banged
down the receiver w ith o u t___ . 5. He couldn’t tell the funniest joke w ith o u t___ . 6. In spite o f ___
the sportsman pulled through to the finish. 7. He was afraid he might upset all their plans b y ___ . 8.
O n ___the young man did not trouble him self to reply. 9. Take your time b e fo re ____. 10. On _ _
she suddenly felt her nerves were at breaking point. 11. After ___ by a dozen magazines the stories
had been published in
the Globe. 12. Sometimes things are done w ith o u t__ 13. He surprised all
o f us by going away w ith o u t___ . 14. I succeeded in finishing the job in time b y ___ . 15. He gave
up smoking a fte r___ .
Exercise 4. Use th e p ro p e r preposition w here it is necessary.
1. I am tir e d ___ trying to persuade you. 2. They are trying to create a complete picture o f
the nation’s w ell-being___presenting economic statistics. 3. Ministers are to consider a big picture
making policy decisions. 4. You may encounter p ro b lem s___ trying to devise a single and
accurate measure o f a common thing. 5. Try to a v o id ___ making him angry. 6. It’s no use ___
crying over spilt milk. 7. You can’t make an o m e le t___ breaking eggs. 8. We are looking forward
_ reading your new book. 9. He is thinking___ leaving his job and going to America. 10. Would
you m in d ___ writing your name and address on the back o f the cheque? 11. At dinner she annoyed
me
smoking between the courses. 1 2 .___ having walked for three hours we stopped to let
others catch up with us. 13. Please g o __ writing; I don’t m in d ___ waiting. 14. I can t h e lp ____
sneezing; I caught a cold yesterday from sitting in a draught. 15. ___ realizing it, he hindered us
instead___helping us. 1 6 .1 strongly ob ject___ arguing in a manner like that.
Exercise 5. Choose the form o f th e G eru n d th a t best suits the context.
1. Would you mind his (coming round/having come round) for a drink tonight? 2. The
documents require (being paid/paying) attention to. 3. “The house wants (attending/being attended)
to,” I thought. 4. My car needs (being served/serving). 5. He left without (saying/having said) a
word to either o f us. 6. Mr. Wade denied (being/having been) in London that night. 7. I remember
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(putting/having put) my wallet in the chest. 8. I was afraid o f (being lost/losing) his confidence. 9.
We were looking forward to (seeing/having seen) them again. 10. After (having waited/waiting) a
minute or two I followed him. 11. I turned this over in my mind without quite (seeing/having seen)
the point. 12. The cocktail party was still going on, but he avoided (seeing/being seen) by anyone.
13. I insisted on his (taking/being taken) to hospital. 14. Would you mind (coming up/being come
up) to the library with me? 15. Her parents objected to her (going,/being gone) to Paris to study
painting.