THE SUBJECTIVE PARTICIPIAL CONSTRUCTION

It's a construction in which the P (mostly P1) is in predicate relation to a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the nominative case, which is the subject of the sentence. In Russian it's mostly expressed by неопределенно-личное предложение. One of the components of SPC serves as the subject, the other part forms part of a compound verbal predicate (They were heard talking in low voices). Chiefly used after verbs of sense perception.

 

The Nominative Absolute Participial Construction. The Prepositional Absolute Participial Construction. The Absolute Constructions without a participle.

NAPC is a construction in which the P stands in predicate relation to a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the nominative case (the noun or the pronoun is not the subject of the sentence) (The window open, we began to freeze). In Russian it's expressed by an adverbial clause. It has the function of adverbial modifier of time (The job done, he went home), cause (It snowing heavily, we decided to stay in), attendant circumstances (She was sitting, her eyes fixed on me), condition (Parents allowing us, we shall go there). The use of NAPC in Modern English is very rare (literature mostly).

PAPC is a NAPC introduced by the preposition "with" (She was lying on the bed, with her hands holding a thick book). In most cases it's used in the function of adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances. In Russian it's expressed by a coordinate clause or деепричастный оборот.

 

THE ABSOLUTE CONSTRUCTIONS WITHOUT A PARTICIPLE

The Nominative Absolute Construction is used in the function of adverbial modifier of time (Classes over, we went home) or attendant circumstances (There she was lying, her head on the pillow).

The Prepositional Absolute Construction is used in the function of adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances (We marched on, her hand still in mine).

The second element of such constructions is an adjective, a prepositional phrase or an adverb. NAC & PAC are separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma or by a semicolon.

The double nature of the Gerund, its tense and voice distinctions. Predicative Constructions with the Gerund. The Gerund and the Participle. The Gerund and the Infinitive. The Gerund and the Verbal Noun.

As a natural result of its origin and development the gerund has nominal and verbal properties. The nominal characteristics: 1) The G can perform the functions of subject, object and predicative (Singing is a good habit; I enjoy giving presents; His duty is persuading people to buy smth.); 2) It can be preceded by a preposition (I'm sick and tired of shouting at you); 3) It can be modified by a noun in the possessive case or by a possessive pronoun (I have no objection to Mary's coming here).

The verbal characteristics: 1) The G of transitive verbs can take a direct object (I am never tired of seeing her); 2) It can be modified by an adverb (They were running cowardly); 3) It has tense distinctions (taking, having taken), the G of transitive verbs has voice distinctions (taking, being taken).

In Russian it's rendered by a noun, infinitive, деепричастие, subordinate clause (the passive forms are usually rendered by a clause).

The tense distinctions (like those of PI) are not absolute but relative. The Indefinite G (Active & Passive) denotes an action simultaneous with that of the finite verb. Depending on the tense form of the finite verb it may refer to past, present or future (He stood motionless without blinking; She can read for hours without pausing; She will pass her exam without feeling any nervousness). The Perfect G denotes an action prior to that of the finite verb (I am not ashamed of having said these words). The priority can also be expressed by the Indefinite G after the verbs "to remember, to excuse, to forgive, to thank" and after the prepositions "in (upon), after, without" (I remember saying this).

The voice distinctions can be observed after transitive verbs (He's enjoys loving and being loved). The G has passive meaning, though active in form, after the verbs "to want, to need, to observe, to require" and the adjective "worth" (The car needs repairing).

 

⇐ Предыдущая12345Следующая ⇒

Поделиться: