Ex. 290. Use the Gerund of the verb in brackets in the active or passive voice

1. Why do you avoid _____________________(to speak) to me?

2. She tried to avoid _____________________________(to speak) to.

3. The doctor insisted on ____________________(to send) the sick man to hospital.

4. The child insisted on _________________________(to send) home at once.

5. He showed no sign of ______________________ (to recognize) me.

6. He showed no sign of _____________________________(to surprise).

7. He had a strange habit of ______________________(to interfere) in other people’s business.

8. I was angry of _____________________________(to interrupt) every other moment.

9. So I see. You are good at __________________(to make) yourself at home.

10. He looked forward to ___________________(to meet) his parents.

11. He hated _________________(to remind) people of their duties or_____________________

(to remind) of his.

12. The operator can set the machine in motion by __________________(to push) the button or

by ______________________(to press) the pedal.

13. Raymond didn’t like ______________________(to call) Ray.

14. Do you mind ______________________(to examine) the list?

15. I appreciate ____________________________(to invite) to your house.

16. He tried to avoid _______________________________(to see).

Ex. 291. Use the Gerund of the verb in brackets in any appropriate form.

1. I don’t enjoy _________________________(laugh) at by other people.

2. Letters were no use: he had no talent for __________________(to express) himself on paper.

3. The boys were punished for ____________________________(to break) the window.

4. He suddenly stopped _________________(to read). There was no point in

____________________(to go on) now.

5. That’s an interesting question. I don’t recall ever ______________________(to ask) that

question before.

6. I’m still hungry in spite of ______________________(to eat) four sandwiches.

7. He complained of _______________________________(to give) a very small room at the

back of the hotel.

8. It’s no good ______________________(to deny) it.

9. Since Tom was his best friend he helped him without ______________________(to ask).

10. The boy was very thirsty in spite of _________________________(to drink) a big cup of tea.

11. The apples on the tree need _______________________(to pick).

12. She admitted _______________________________(to steal) the money.

13. He apologized for __(not to invite) Jack to the party.

14. The baby went to sleep a few minutes after ____________________________(to feed).

15. Try and help the nurse by _____________________(to keep) quiet and tidy.

16. In spite of _______________________________(not to prepare) his homework Nick went

to school.

17. He got into the house by __________________(to climb) through a window, without

____________________________(to see) by anyone.

18. John mentioned about __________________________(to enter) the University.

19. Mary was chosen to feel the vacancy. She was very pleased __________________________

(to choose).

20. The little girl never gets tired of ___________________(to ask) her mother questions, but

her mother often gets tired of __________________________(to ask) so many questions.

Ex. 292. Change the sentences using the Gerund after the verbs to need, to want,

to require, to deserve and the adjective worth.

Examples: You should repair your car. Your car needs repairing.

You should buy these shoes. These shoes are worth buying.

1. It’s high time to dust the carpet, Jane. ____________

2. Oh, dear! You mustn’t drink the water. Filter it first. ________________________________

3. Don’t forget to invite them to the party. ___________

4. You should polish your shoes. ___________________

5. It’s high time to have your hair cut. _______________

6. You shouldn’t speak of this matter at the meeting. ___

7. This film is rather boring. You’d better go to the cinema next week _____________________

8. You should clean your coat. ____________________

9. It’ll be useful if you see this exhibition. ___________

10. You should water the roses and cut off the dead branches. ____________________________

Ex. 293. Answer the following questions according to the example.

Example: What did they speak of? (buy a house in Spain).

They spoke of buying a house in Spain.

1. What did she accuse her maid of? (steal a golden ring)

___________

2. What are you thinking of? (move to a new flat)

___________

3. Are there any things he approves of? (play tennis and chess)

___________

4. What do you suspect him of? (tell lies all the time)

___________

5. What did she succeed in? (find a rich husband)

___________

6. What did she complain of? (be cheated in the shop)

___________

7. What are you looking forward to? (see the New Year in)

___________

8. What does he insist on? (start at once)

___________

9. What will she agree to? (spend holidays in the country)

___________

10. What is your younger brother fond of? (play computer games)

___________

Ex. 294. Insert prepositions where necessary.

1. Alice isn’t interested _________ looking for a new job.

2. You are capable _________ doing better work.

3. She was afraid __________ going on public transport.

4. He was looking forward ____________ taking the tickets.

5. Newton, the famous scientist, was sometimes engaged ______ working out difficult problems.

6. Try to avoid _________ making him angry.

7. Is there anything here worth ________buying?

8. I’m very sorry ________ being late. It was very good of you to wait for me.

9. I have no objections ________ hearing your story again.

10. We had difficulty _______ finding a parking place.

11. He surprised us all _________ going away _________saying “Good bye”.

12. Please forgive me _______ interrupting you but would you mind _________ repeating that

last sentence?

13. There’s no point ________ arriving half an hour early. We’d only have to wait.

14. I’m accused ________ having a big breakfast every morning.

15. The weather is awful tonight. I don’t blame you ________ not wanting to go to the meeting.

16. Who is responsible _______ washing dishes after dinner?

17. The angry look on his face stopped me _________ speaking my mind.

18. I wish you do something to help, instead ________ standing there giving advice.

19. I’m accustomed _________ having a big breakfast.

20. You should take advantage ________ living here.

21. He showed us how to get to his house _______ drawing a map.

22. Mrs. Grant insisted ________ knowing the whole truth.

23. In addition ________ going to school full-time, Sam has a part-time job.

24. Where should we go for dinner tonight? Would you object ______ going to an Italian

restaurant?

25. The thief was accused _______ stealing a woman’s purse.

26. I’m not very good _______ learning languages.

27. How ________ playing tennis tomorrow?

28. She must be fed up _________ studying.

29. This knife is only ________ cutting bread.

30. Tom prefers working _______ doing nothing.