Modern English part II—Sentence & Complex Structures

Exercises for Non-native Speakers

6-3 THE + GERUND + OF-PHRASE OBJECT

pp. 103~104

If the precedes the gerund, the “object” is contained within an of phrase.

The storing of the merchandise became a problem after the warehouse
burned down.1
but Storing the merchandise became a problem after the warehouse
burned down.

Usually the phrase beginning with the has stronger noun force. In some
gerund phrases, the choice with the of phrase “object” is avoided － Taking
drugs is detrimental to the health.

Make a gerund phrase out of the words in parentheses, using an of phrase

“object.” Note where it is also possible or desirable to use an “object” without
of.
EXAMPLE: a. The school administration is opposed to (shorten, school
year).
The school administration is opposed to the shortening of the
school year.
also The school administration is opposed to shortening the
school year.
b. (bribe, officials) is a very serious offense.
The bribing of officials is a very serious offense.
also Bribing officials is a very serious offense.

1. The office boy is responsible for (mail, packages) the mailing of the
packages/mailing the package.
2. (light, torches, night) The lighting of torches/Lighting the torches at night
is a beautiful ceremony in Hawaii.

3. The world was shocked to hear about (loot and burn, besieged town) the
looting and burning of the besieged town.

1
Sometimes another determiner than the may be used with an of phrase
object—Their (or this, any) storing of the merchandise became a problem
after the warehouse burned down.
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 Modern English part II—Sentence & Complex Structures
Exercises for Non-native Speakers
6-3 THE + GERUND + OF-PHRASE OBJECT

4. (place, wreaths, servicemen’s graves) The placing of wreaths on (the)

servicemen’s graves takes place on Memorial Day.
5. The little girl was puzzled by (come and go, so many people) the coming
and doing of so many people.
6. (burn, trash, outdoors) The burning of trash outdoors should be done in
a safe place.
7. (build, moderately-priced houses) The building of moderately-priced
houses has stopped for a while.
8. There are mechanical devices for (open and close, these doors) the opening
and closing of these doors/opening and closing these doors.
9. Newspapers are responsible for (shaping, public opinion) the shaping of
public opinion/shaping public opinion.

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