Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word or phrase.
1. He is fond …………………….. cricket.
Certain adjectives are followed by ‘preposition + ing form’.
2. ………………………… along the road, he found a dead cobra.
When we split the clauses we get: He was walking along the road He found a dead cobra. We can connect them with the present participle ‘walking’.
3. We were prevented …………………………. the patient.
The verb prevent is followed by 'preposition + ing form’.
4. I hope you will excuse …………………………… leaving early.
The word leaving is a gerund that serves the same purpose as a noun. We cannot use an object pronoun to modify a noun; instead we use a possessive adjective (my).
5. We rejoiced at ………………………….. being promoted.
The word being is a gerund that serves the same purpose as a noun. We cannot use an object pronoun to modify a noun; instead we use a possessive adjective (his).
6. I insist on ………………………… being present at the meeting.
The word being is a gerund that serves the same purpose as a noun. We cannot use an object pronoun to modify a noun; instead we use a possessive adjective (your).
7. We left without ……………………….. knowing.
The word knowing is a gerund that serves the same purpose as a noun. We use a possessive expression to modify a noun.
8. All depends on ………………………… passing the exam.
The word passing is a gerund that serves the same purpose as a noun. We use a possessive expression to modify a noun.
9. It ……………………… a very hot day, I remained in my tent.
It was a very hot day. I remained in my tent. We can combine them with the participle being.
10. …………………………… across the heath, a gipsy found the child.
A gypsy was wandering across the heath. He found the child. We can combine them with the present participle wandering.
11. …………………………….. his lesson, he went out to play.
He had learned his lesson. He went out to play. We can combine them with the perfect participle ‘having learned’.
12. We met an old man …………………………….. to Jerusalem.
We met an old man. He was walking to Jerusalem. We can combine the two clauses with the present participle ‘walking’.
Answers
1. He is fond of playing cricket.
2. Walking along the road, he found a dead cobra.
3. We were prevented from seeing the patient.
4. I hope you will excuse my leaving early.
5. We rejoiced at his being promoted.
6. I insist on your being present at the meeting.
7. We left without anyone’s knowing.
8. All depends on John’s passing the exam.
9. It being a very hot day, I remained in my tent.
10. Wandering across the heath, a gipsy found the child.
11. Having learned his lesson, he went out to play.
12. We met an old man walking to Jerusalem.
