Task 4. State the syntactic function of the Gerund

1. It’s no use doing things by halves. 2. She kept eyeing Henry with 

interest. 3. He didn’t feel like talking to anyone now. 4. I could not 

help thinking of the island in this anatomical way. 5. After pausing for 

breath she announced, “I have some excellent news.” 6. She explained 

this to them by saying she was busy. 7. She asked her one or two 

questions. Kitty answered them without knowing what they meant. 

8. The land was the one thing in the world worth fighting for. 9. After 

a moment, everyone started talking again. 10. Jennie was busy all 

next day preparing for a cocktail-party. 11. He supposed it was the 

civilized way of doing things. 12. She waited a minute or two before 

speaking. 13. Julie expressed horror at the very thought of going out 

into the cold. 14. I could not answer for coughing. 15. Housekeeping 

with Lydia worked quite well. 16. “A mule would be useful for crossing 

the mountain,” I observed.