The function of the gerund in the sentence

1. 
   The gerund as a subject.
   

Waiting for the professor was a lame excuse for doing nothing. – То, что мы ждали профессора, было слабым оправданием тому, что мы ничего не делали.

My answering in the affirmative gave him great satisfaction. – То, что я ответил утвердительно, было ему очень приятно (1, 106).

The gerund used as a subject may follow the predicate; in these cases the sentence opens with the introductory it (which serves as an introductory subject) or with the construction there is.

It’s no use talking like that to me. – Бесполезно говорить со мной в таком тоне.

There was no mistaking the expression on her face. – Выражение ее лица нельзя было не понять.

NOTE. – There is another view according to which it is the subject and the rest of the sentence is the predicate.

2. 
   The as a predicative.
   

2. 
   The gerund as part of a compound verbal predicate.
   

• 
  With verbs and verbal phrases denoting modality the gerund forms part of a compound verbal modal predicate.
  

Joseph could not help admiring the man. – Джозеф не мог не восхищаться этим человеком.

• 
  With verbs denoting the beginning, the duration or the end of an action, the gerund forms part of a compound verbal aspect predicate.
  

The manager has finished dictating a letter to the secretary. – Менеджер закончил диктовать письмо секретарю.

I avoid speaking to him on this matter. – Я избегаю разговаривать с ним в такой манере.

In the night it started raining. – Ночью начался дождь (7 – 257).

4. 
   The gerund as an object.
   

I simply love riding. – Я просто обожаю кататься верхом.

She enjoyed singing and playing to him. – Ей доставляло удовольствие петь и играть для него.

The times were good for building… - Время для постройки дома было самое подходящее.

Charlie did not succeed in talking things easily. – Чарли не удавалось смотреть легко на вещи.

Predicative constructions with the gerund form a complex object as they consist of two distinct elements, nominal and verbal.

Perhaps you would’t mind Richard’s coming in? – Может быть, вы не будете возражать против того, чтобы вошел Ричард?

Aunt Augusta won’t quite approve of your being here. – Тетя Августа будет не очень довольна тем, что вы здесь (15, 181 – 182).

4. 
   The gerund as an attribute.
   

There are different ways of solving this problem. – Существуют разные способы решения этой проблемы.

We discussed different methods of teaching foreign languages. – Мы обсуждали разные методы изучения иностранных языков.

He has no objection to being sent there. – У него нет возможностей, что его туда послали (7, 254).

4. 
   The gerund as an adverbial modifier.
   

• 
  As an adverbial modifier of time the gerund is preceded by the prepositions after, before, on, upon, in, or at.
  

He was to have three days at home before going back to farm. – Он должен был пробыть три дня дома, прежде чем возвратиться на ферму.

Clare turned at hearing her footsteps… - Услышав ее шаги, Клер оглянулся.

NOTE. – In the function of an adverbial modifier of time gerund sometimes competes with the participle.

George, on hearing the story, grinned. – Джордж, услышав эту историю, усмехнулся.

The four girls, hearing him speak in the hall, rushed out of the library. – Все четыре девочки, услышав, что он говорит в передней, выбежали из библиотеки.

After reaching the second landing… I heard a sound of quiet, and regular breathing on my left-hand side. – Дойдя до второй площади лестницы, … я услышал с левой стороны спокойное и ровное дыхание.

Reaching the door of the room occupied by Cowperwood and Aileen, she tapped lightly. – Дойдя до двери комнаты, которую занимали Каупер Вуд и Эллин, она тихонько послушала.

• 
  As an adverbial modifier of manner the gerund is used with the preposition by or in.
  

The day was spent in packing. – День прошел за упаковкой вещей.

• 
  As an adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances the gerund is preceded by the preposition without.
  

• 
  As an adverbial modifier of purpose, the gerund is chiefly used with the preposition for.
  

• 
  As an adverbial modifier of condition the gerund is preceded by the preposition without.
  

• 
  As an adverbial modifier of clause the gerund is used with the preposition for, for fear of, owing to.
  

I dared not attend the funeral for fear of making a fool of myself. – Я не смел, присутствовать на похоронах, так как боялся поставить себя в глупое положение.

• 
  As an adverbial modifier of concession the gerund is preceded by the preposition in spite of.
  

The above examples show that the gerund preceded by one and the some preposition may be used in different functions: with the preposition without, it may be perform the function of an adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances and of condition; with the preposition in, it may be perform the function of an adverbial modifier of time and of manner; with the preposition for, it may perform the function of an adverbial modifier of purpose or of cause.

NOTE. – The Russian не + деепричастие may correspond to the English without + Gerund or not + Participle. It usually corresponds to not + Participle if it’s used in the function of an adverbial modifier of cause.

Не зная адреса мисс Бетти, Давид не мог ей написать. – Not knowing Miss Betsey’s address, David could not write to her (CAUSE).

If нет + деепричастие is used in the function of adverbial modifiers of attendant circumstances and of condition, it generally corresponds to without + Gerund.

Давид уехал из Лондона, никому ничего не сказав. – David left London without telling anybody about it (ATTENDANT CIRCUMSTANCES) (15, 183 – 184).