Verbals

Unit 4

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THE
PARTICIPLES
(Participle I and Participle II)
GENERAL INFORMATION

The Participles (Participle I and Participle II) are Nonfinite forms

of the verb and thus have the verbal character. At the same time the
Participles possess adjectival and adverbial characteristics as they
are used in the functions consistent with Attributes and Adverbial
Modifiers as you'll see later.
Participle I can also be called an Active Participle as it forms
an active structure which can be seen if you transform it into a
clause:
The girl sitting next to me. The girl who is sitting next to me.
Participle II can be called a Passive Participle as it forms a
passive structure which can be seen if you transform it into a clause:
The events shown in the film. The events that are/were shown in
the film.

THE FORMS OF THE PARTICIPLES

a) The forms of Participle I are shown in the table below:

Active
Passive
Indefinite
completing
being completed
Perfect
having completed
having been completed
The Indefinite forms of Participle I express the action
simultaneous with that of the main verb:
While completing the project we were very busy,
while the Perfect forms express the action prior to that of the main
verb of the sentence:
The project having been completed, we all went on holiday.
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b) Participle II has only one form the 3d form of the verb:

completed, thought, expressed, placed etc.:
The idea expressed in this film is not new.
3

THE FUNCTIONS OF THE PARTICIPLES

There are several common functions of the Participles:

1) Attribute: Participle I: I know the reporter covering the news.
Participle II: The news covered in the report deal with the
situation in the Middle East.
2) Predicative: Participle I: Your offer sounds embarrassing.
Participle II: He sounds embarrassed.
3) Complex Object:
Participle I: I heard him playing the tune.
Participle II: I heard the tune played.
4) Adverbial Modifiers of:
a) Time Participle I: (While/when)/ Asking about the accident the
girl started crying.
Participle II: When asked about the accident the girl
started crying.
b) Comparison:
Participle I: She looked as if waiting for an answer.
Participle II: He stopped as if struck by the news.
5) Parenthesis:
Participle I: Frankly speaking, I don't know the answer.
Participle II: As mentioned above, there are three main types
of companies.
There are some functions of the Participles that do not
coincide. Only Participle I performs the functions of:
a) Manner: She stopped looking at the ad.
b) Cause: Being ill at ease, he couldn't utter a word.
Only Participle II performs the functions of:
a) Condition: If broken, her heart wouldn't stand it.
b) Concession: Though surprised, she didn't show it.
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6) Participle I and Participle II can be used in Absolute Participial

Constructions where the subject of the main clause and the subject
of the participle don't coincide (they are different):
They went to bed, the work left for the next morning.
The work being over, they went to bed.

EXERCISES
1. Complete the sentences using either Participle I or Participle II as an
Attribute from the verbs in brackets.
1) Do you know the woman ..... to Tom? (talk)
2) The boy ..... in the accident was taken to hospital. (injure)
3) The police ..... the crime are looking for three men. (investigate)
4) Some of the people ..... to the party can't come. (invite)
5) Who were those people ..... outside? (wait)
6) Most of the goods ..... in this factory are exported. (make)
7) The road ..... the two villages is very narrow. (join)
8) The police never found the money ..... in the robbery. (steal)
9) I live in a pleasant room ..... the garden. (overlook)
10) There was a big red car ..... outside the house. (park)
11) There were some children ..... in the river. (swim)
12) We've spent nearly all the money. We've only got a little ..... . (leave)
2. Make one sentence out of two using either Participle I or Participle II as
an Attribute. The first sentence has been done for you.
1) I didn't talk much to the man. The man was sitting next to me on the plane.>
I didn't talk much to the man sitting next to me on the plane
2) The taxi broke down. The taxi was taking us to the airport.
3) The window was broken in the storm last night. It has been repaired now.
4) A number of suggestions were made at the meeting. Most of them were not
very practical.
5) At the end of the street there is a path. The path leads to the river.
6) Some paintings were stolen from the museum. They haven't been found yet.
7) A new factory has been just opened in the town. The factory employs 500
people.
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8) A man was arrested by the police. What was his name?

9) The company sent me a brochure. It contained all the information I needed.
3. Complete the sentences using the suitable Participle as an Attribute of the
verbs from the box.
blow, call, invite, live, offer, read, sit, study, work
1) A lot of people ..... to the presentation refused to come.
2) Life must be very unpleasant for people ..... near busy airports.
3) A few days after the interview, I received a letter ..... me the job.
4) Somebody ..... Jack phoned while you were out.
5) There was a tree ..... down in the storm last night.
6) When I entered the waiting room it was empty except for a young man .....
by the window ..... a magazine.
7) Ian has got a brother ..... in a bank in London and a sister ..... economics at
university in Manchester.
4. Use the words in brackets to make sentences with the Participles. The first
two have been done for you.
1) That house is empty. (nobody/live/in it) >
There is nobody living in that house.
2) The accident wasn't serious. (nobody/injure)>
There was nobody injured in the accident.
3) I can hear footsteps. (somebody/come)
4) The train was full. (a lot of people/travel)
5) We were the only guests at the hotel. (nobody else/stay there)
6) The piece of paper was blank. (nothing/write/on it)
7) There are regular English courses at the college. (a course/begin/next
Monday)
5. Complete the texts using appropriate Participles from the box and retell the
texts.
1)
showing, contained, bearing, based
A coin is a piece of metal, usually disc-shaped, (1) ..... letters, designs or
numbers (2) ..... its value. Until the 18th and 19th centuries coins were given
monetary worth (3) ..... on the exact amount of metal (4) ..... in them. But most

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modern coins are based on face value, the value that governments give them,
irrespective of the actual metal content.
2)
left, threatening, called, written, armed, drunken
Published recently was a paperback (1) ..... by a south London copper
(2) ..... 'Policeman's Progress'. Here are some random quotes.
'It is one of the few occupations (3) ..... in present day society where a
person can arrive for work and have no idea what the day will bring. It could be
an accident, a murder, an (4) ..... robbery, arson or a request for directions. I was
called upon to chastise (5) ..... husbands (occasional success) and errant wives
(hundred percent failure). I received anonymous (6) ..... letters , phone calls and
an anonymous cake for my birthday (it was stale).'
6. Translate the sentences into English using the Participles as an Attribute.
1) , .
2) , , .
3) , ,
.
4) .
5) , .
6) , ,
.
7) , , .
8) , ,
.
9) , , ,
.
10) .
7. Put in the correct form of the Participles as an Attribute using the verbs in
brackets.
1) The results ..... are consistent and may be summed up in one single rule.
(obtain)
2) Of the three instances ....., only the last possesses a verbal suffix which is
regularly found in other words. (cite)
3) A proper noun is a name ..... to one particular person or thing. (give)
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4) The information ..... throws a flood of light upon the mode of action of the
human vocal apparatus. (gain)
5) The following figures, partly ..... the territory ....., illustrate the extent of
losses ..... by the fire. (cover, investigate, cause)
6) The two men ..... to were highly-placed officials. (refer)
7) At last we saw the picture so much ..... about. (hear)
8) The ruling elite in old Japan, ..... with its families to about one sixteenth of
the population, was a hereditary class of fighters, ..... to pursue any other
vocation. (amount, forbid)
9) The language processes apply not only to English, but to all languages. In
all of them you will find words ..... out, and words ....., words ..... and old
words ..... together to form new words, words ..... from other languages and
words ..... their use and meaning. (die, be born, create, put, take, change)
8. Complete the sentences using either the Participle or a clause bearing in
mind that in the function of an Attribute Participle I is usually not used to
express a past or a prior action.
1) The study was dimly lit by a candle (burn) in the ajoining room.
2) Latin was the ancestor of all the languages (mention).
3) The review is divided into three parts (follow) by a brief comment.
4) The conclusion appears reasonable that Italian (speak and write) by the
multitude of correct speakers and writers, is a compromise language
(continue) the traditions of various dialects.
5) They dined outside upon the terrace (face) Vesuvius.
6) The girl (bear) all the ups and downs of her life with great indifference,
broke down on this and burst into tears.
7) Mr.Orson told his sons to follow him into the little guest-chamber out of
which two pretty maids (arrange) the room ran out.
8) The gentleman lit his pipe and went up to the driver (unharness) the horses.
9. Translate the sentences into English using either the Participle or a clause.
1) , .
2) , .
3) , , .
4) , .
5)
, .
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6) , , .
7) ,
.
8) , ,
.
9) , ,
.
10) . ,
, .
11) , .
12) ,
.
13) ,
.
14) , .
15) , .
16) , ,
, .
17) ,
.
10. Translate into English using Participle II as an Attribute.
1) , .
2) .
3) .
4) , .
5) ,
!
6) , .
7) .
11. Write out in two separate columns the word-combinations with the
Gerund and those with Participle I. Comment on them doing the
transformations as shown:
Advertising campaign A campaign of/for advertising goods. (the Gerund)
Advertising company A company that advertises goods.(Participle I)
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a) Advertising role, advertising firm, advertising objectives, advertising people,

advertising plan;
b) Marketing strategy, marketing agent, marketing activity, marketing people,
marketing policy;
c) Working people, working premises, working facilities, working machines,
working hours.
12. Complete the sentences with the Participles as a Predicative from the box.
astonishing, boring, convincing, demanding, disappointing, worrying,
thrilling, tempting, terrifying, touching, encouraging
1) The film Titanic is so ....., I advise you to see it.
2) I dont believe you to have done it deliberately. But anyway, it was
extremely ..... .
3) Your suggestion to miss the classes at university today sounds very ..... .
4) When the chairman speaks of devotion to high ideals in business he seems
quite ..... and even ..... .
5) The performance was so ..... that I could hardly stay till the end of it.
6) Even to listen to the story of your dangerous adventures is really ..... .
7) The effect of the managers words was ..... .
8) Mr.Jackson didnt understand your mission. His voice sounded so ..... .
9) The situation became so ..... that we all were at a loss.
10) The fact that she cant remember the origin of her information seems very
unusual and ..... .
13. Translate the sentences into English using the Participle as a Predicative.
1) , .
2) , .
3) .
4)
.
5) , .
6) .
7) .
8) .
9) .
10) .
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14. Make one sentence out of two using Participle I as an Adverbial Modifier
of Time. The first sentence has been done for you.
1) She finished her work. Then she went home. >
Having finished her work, she went home.
2) We bought our tickets. Then we went into the theatre.
3) They continued their journey. They did it after they had had dinner.
4) Lucy did all her shopping. Then she went for a cup of tea.
5) She found a hotel. Then she looked for somewhere to have dinner.
6) Jim was playing tennis. He hurt his arm.
7) I was watching television. I fell asleep.
8) The man slipped. He was getting off a bus.
9) I was walking home in the rain. I got wet.
10) Margaret was driving to work yesterday. She had an accident.
11) Two firemen were overcome by smoke. They were trying to put out the fire.
15. Put in the correct form of Participle I as an Adverbial Modifier of Time or
Cause.
1) ( take) ..... a key out of his pocket, he opened the door.
2) (feel) ..... tired I went to bed.
3) (be) ..... unemployed, he hasn't got much money.
4) (have-neg.) ..... a car, she finds it difficult to get around.
5) (see) ..... already the film twice, I didn't want to go to the cinema.
6) (think) ..... they might be hungry, I offered them something to eat.
7) (be) ..... a foreigner, she needs a visa to stay in the country.
8) (know-neg.) ..... his address, I wasn't able to contact him.
9) (travel) ..... a lot, Sarah knows a great deal about other countries.
10) (be able) ..... to understand English, he didn't know what I wanted.
11) (spend) ..... nearly all our money, we couldn't afford to stay in a hotel.
16. Exchange the compound or complex sentences by those with the
Participles in different Adverbial functions.
1) He walked out of the room and slammed the door behind him.
2) If you want to order a vehicle, you have to pay a deposit.
3) She lay awake all night and recalled the events of the day.
4) When I tried to open the can, I cut my hand.
5) As I was anxious to please him, I bought him a nice present.
6) If you are travelling north, you must change at Leeds.
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7) Unless you pay by credit card, please pay in cash.

8) Though he admitted that he had received the stolen jewellery, he denied
having taken part in the robbery.
9) When it was viewed from a distance, the island looked like a cloud.
10) Although it was built before the war, the engine is still in perfect order.
11) Unless it is changed, this law will make life difficult.
12) If you are accepted for this post, you will be informed.
13) He is so ill that he can't go to work yet.
14) He's had been ill for a very long time, so he needs/needed more time to
recover before he can/could go back to work.
15) I have been made redundant, so I'm going abroad.
17. Put in the appropriate preposition/conjunction with the Participles as an
Adverbial Modifier.
1) ..... annoyed, he used to go to his room and lock himself in.
2) She is a terror ..... roused.
3) Here the tram lines ended, so that men returning home could doze in their
seats ..... roused by their journey's end.
4) He didn't usually utter a word ..... spoken to.
5) 'Minister?' said David Rubin, ..... surprised.
6) He had to think it over, for even ..... posted now, the letter could not reach
John till Monday.
7) Sitting there, he could not help perceiving a certain vagueness about such an
inspiration, even ..... confined to England.
8) ..... urged, he never mentioned his wound or his decoration.
9) ..... sitting there I looked at various posters.
10) She stopped speaking ..... waiting for him to speak.
11) Much of the afternoon I looked out of the window ..... thinking, but not
really thinking.
12) ..... dancing she floated, so light she was, like an eager little spirit.
18. Use the suitable Participle from the verbs in brackets.
1) (Approach) Malta Street, Soho, Soames thought with wonder of those years
in Brighton.
2) When (question), Annie answered that she was anxious about her brotherin-law.
3) (Be) a little in that line myself, I understood everything.
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4) It was a dreadful thing that he now proposed, a breach of the law which, if
(discover) would bring him into the police court.
5) She began to walk carefully, (set) heel to toe, heel to toe, and (count) her
steps.
6) This was said as if (think) aloud.
7) As if (tear) with inner conflict and indecision, he cried.
8) Her spirit, though (crush), was not broken.
19. Complete the stories with the correct forms of the Verbals and reproduce
the stories.
(A)
Once in a train a (1) well-(dress) ...... man discovered that his cigarette
case was missing and told the man next to him that he would take him to the
police at the nearest station. (2) (Look) ..... down however the (3) well(dress) ..... man found his cigarette case (4) (lie)..... under the seat. He
apologised to the other passenger (5) (say)..... he was sorry (6) (think) ..... badly
of him. 'Never mind', said the passenger. 'You thought I was a thief and I
thought you were a gentleman. And we were both mistaken'.
(B)
An American lady (1) (travel)..... in England got into a compartment in a
(2) (smoke) ..... carriage where an Englishman was smoking a pipe. For a while
she sat quietly (3) (expect)..... that the Englishman would give up (4)
(smoke)..... . But when the train had been on the way for half an hour or so she
started (5) (cough) ..... (6) (show)..... him that she objected to his (7) (smoke).....
. At last (8) (see)..... that all her efforts (9) (attract)..... his attention were in vain
she addressed him impatiently.
'If you were a gentleman, you would stop (10) (smoke) ..... when a lady
got into the carriage'.
'If you were a lady', replied the Englishman, 'you wouldn't get into a (11)
(smoke) ..... carriage'.
'If you were my husband', said the lady, 'I would give you poison'.
'If I were your husband,' replied the Englishman, 'I would take it'.

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20. Complete the news report with appropriate Verbals from the verbs in
brackets and reproduce it.
Julian Snow, the 'Daily News' war correspondent (1) (cover) the civil war
in Mandanga, has been reported (2) (miss). He was last seen yesterday morning
(3) (drive) his Land Rover near the front line. The vehicle was found yesterday
evening , but there was no sign of him. Snow has been a war correspondent for
many years and has covered a number of conflicts, (4) (include) the Middle
East.
21. Translate the sentences into English using the Verbals.
1) , ,
, .
2) , .
,
.
3) , .
4)
.
5) ,

.
6) ,
.
7) ,
.
8) , .

Participial Constructions

4.1. Complex Object

Complex Object can be used with both Participle I and
Participle II:
Suddenly I heard the bell ringing.(Participle I)
I heard my name pronounced. (Participle II)
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Compared to Complex Object with the Infinitive, Complex Object

with Participle I expresses the duration of the action.
I saw him enter the house.
I saw him entering the house.

EXERCISES
1. Complete the sentences using Complex Object either with Participle I or
Participle II as shown in the model.
Model:
In the midday she heard a small bird ..... . (sing) >
In the midday she heard a small bird singing.
His face clouded when he heard his name ..... . (speak) >
His face clouded when he heard his name spoken.
1) The taxi could be seen ..... outside. (wait)
2) She had the drawing-room ..... . (redecorate)
3) She heard her heart ..... with a vague fear. (beat)
4) The darkness foud him ..... with these thoughts. (occupy)
5) For their New Year party she had all the furniture ..... out of the sitting
room. (move)
6) They wanted the Committee ..... over the weekend. (convene)
7) Mary could feel Elisabeth ..... their hopes and dreams, their relationships as
sisters. (review)
8) She averted her eyes each time she found herself ..... at. (stare)
9) She heard the musicians ..... up in the back room. (tune)
2. Translate the sentences into English using Complex Object with the
Participle.
1) . ,
- .
2) , - .
3) , .
4) , .
5) , ,
. ,
.
6) ?
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7) , .
8) ?
9) .
10) .

4.2. Absolute Participial Construction

Absolute Participial Construction is called 'absolute' because it
has its own subject which does not coinicide with the subject of the
sentence.
a) Both Participle I and Participle II can be used in Absolute
consturctions at the end of the sentence and are translated as
separate clauses:
He smiled, some of the freshness returning to his face.
, ( ) .
He sat down with a smile, his good humour quite restored. ,
, ( ) .
b) When Absolute construction is placed at the beginning of the
sentence it has a causative meaning:
The purpose being achieved, the meeting was over.
, .
The choice made, she ran up to Tom.
, .

EXERCISES
1. Translate the sentences with the Participle in Absolute Constructions into
Russian and comment on their form.
1) In the library, Diana revived, her face less drawn, went through the minuet
of grumbles.
2) They set off, George swinging along with downcast eyes, his hands thrust
deep in his pockets.
3) Lord Easterfield sat down, wiping his forehead and smiling, his good
humour quite restored.
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4) We sat silent, her eyes still levelled with mine, but gradually becoming
unfocussed, as though looking past me, looking a great distance away.
5) She got up, the clothes folded over her arm.
6) Arrangements made, the apologies and thanks started over again.
7) I lay idly in a big chair, talking now and then, listening sometimes with my
eyes closed.
8) The choice made, she ran up to him.
9) The drinks ordered and the men settled on the verandah of the clubhouse,
Haydock repeated his question.
10) He gave an intimate smile, some of the freshness returning to his face.
11) Brown sat back in the leather-covered chair, his great chest protruding like a
singers.
12) They parted at the cabin, Scotty taking Roy on the direct rout to the Lake,
Indian Bob going back to his hunting, and Simon heading west for the little
river.
13) That being understood, the conference was over.
14) This book has been written in England with the authors in close cooperation
throughout, approximately equal parts being written in English and in
German and subsequently translated.
15) Martha had two children living, two having died in infancy.
16) They wrestled and struggled for a minute, with everybody looking at.
17) We strolled back to the camp, it being then about twenty minutes to six.
18) There being no other matters to discuss, the old man said that he was going
to bed.
19) She kept on running, her steps quickening in pace with her heartbeats.
2. Translate the sentences into English using Absolute Participial
Constructions.
1) ,
.
2) , .
3) , .
4) , , ,

5) , ,
.
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6) ,
.
7) , .
8) ; .
9) , .
10) , ;
,
.
5

PARENTHESIS

The Participles can be used as Parenthesis: as intended, as

mentioned above, as opposed to, bearing in mind, generally
speaking, etc.
EXERCISES
1. Match the appropriate parenthesis to the sentences on the left.
1) ....., for every manager who writes a letter or
As intended
report, there is a presupposed reader.
2) ....., publicity is any mention of a company's
As mentioned above
product that is not paid for, in any medium
3) ....., formal communications will pass up and
As opposed to advertising
down the pyramid of managemant.
4) ....., continental Europe is expected to provide a Bearing in mind
growing share of the business.
5) ....., that marketing should have contributed to Looking further ahead
the specification of the product it fills the time
and space between the ready product and its
purchase.
2. Translate the sentences into English using the Participles as Parentheses.
1) : , .
2) , .
3) , ,
.
4) , .
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5) , .
6) , ,
.
7) , ,
.
8) ,
.
9) , .

REVIEW EXERCISES
1. Put in the particle to where required.
1) Youd better ..... hurry. You dont have lots of time ..... decide.
2) Im the manager. Im supposed ..... be worried about your being late.
3) Its up to you ..... decide your own future.
4) They were talking so loudly. He couldnt but ..... overhear them.
5) Id prefer ..... choose my own career.
6) Mary would sooner ..... remember that day than forget it.
7) George is very upset. Youd better ..... leave him alone.
8) He had nothing left ..... do but ..... listen to their talking business.
9) I cant find my keys. I must ..... have left them in the car.
10) Why not ..... come and ..... see Ann in the hospital?
11) The detective couldnt but ..... appreciate the fact that Paul had rescued him.
2. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the Infinitive from the
verbs in brackets.
1) There was nothing ..... for. (wait)
2) Ann put the fur coat on and turned round ..... . (appreciate)
3) He appeared ..... plenty of money, which was said ..... in South African
diamond digging. (have, gain)
4) Every feature seemed ..... since he saw her last. (sharpen)
5) Lady Verindah was the first person ..... his attention or ..... by him. (attract,
attract)
6) I suppose Mr Jelleby had been more talkative and lively once; but he
seemed ..... long before I knew him. (exhaust)
7) Dave seemed ..... Stephanie, waiting for her ..... the first move. (watch,
make)
8) He is said ..... a small fortune. (put away)
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9) The next thing ..... is to move away from this town. (do)
10) Her age was difficult ...... .(guess)
11) My mother and I are always happy ..... you. (see)
12) I found Mrs Smith hard ..... . (accept)
13) For a few moments, she seemed ..... on the edge of choice. (stand)
14) He is not a man ..... . (ignore)
15) Everything youve planned ..... is sensible. (do)
3. Translate into English using the Infinitive.
1) .
2) , .
3) ,
.
4) , , .
5) ; ,
.
6) .
7) , .
8) , .
9) , , ,
.
10) ,
.
4. Complete the sentences using the appropriate Gerund or Infinitive form.
1) After ..... more carefully than usual he went to the bank. (dress)
2) There's vivid happiness in merely ..... alive. (be)
3) Your tie needs ..... . (tighten)
4) I wouldn't say such a thing without ..... sure. (be)
5) There was nothing ..... . (fear)
6) He is said ..... John. (rescue)
7) His idea was easy ..... . (understand)
8) He appeared ..... a lot of money. (earn)
9) It's a chance ..... . (miss/neg.)
10) She is hardly ..... manager. (appoint)
5. Put in the prepositions/particles where required.
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1) I promised them that no harm would come to them ..... concluding the
contract.
2) It was clearly seen that the director was speaking ..... thinking.
3) The story is boring ..... be admired.
4) Who is ..... blame ..... this terrible mistake?
5) She denied ..... having stolen the money.
6) I had little hope ..... ever learning the truth.
7) Jane suggested ..... going to the cinema ..... ..... staying at home.
8) I now regret ..... having said what I said.
9) Did he have any special reason ..... going?
10) He has the reputation ..... being conservative.
11) I saw no harm ..... calling at 9 o'clock in the evening.
12) ..... receiving the Royal assent the Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
13) Government departments are responsible ..... implementing government
policy.
14) There is no difficulty..... understanding that the law is necessary.
15) A criminal case is brought against a person accused ..... having committed a
crime.
16) The plaintiff starts the lawsuit ..... filling a paper called a complaint.
17) If you need a barrister, you never see him ..... your solicitor being with him.
18) Shall I tell them or you would rather they ..... know?
19) Wed like ..... have gone on holiday but we didnt have enough money.
20) The attorney was made ..... play the tape.
6. Translate the sentences into English using either the Gerund or the
Infinitive.
1) .
2) .
3) , , .
4) ,
.
5) , .
6) - , .
7) , ,
.
8) - ,
.
9) .
176

Verbals

177

10) .
11) , .
12) , .
7. Put in the appropriate Verbals into the story and the interview about lorry
hijackings using the verbs in brackets. Reproduce them.
(A)
The Road Transport Industry is becoming increasingly (1) ..... (concern) about
lorry (2) ..... (hijack). The hijackers seem (3) ..... (be) well-(4) ..... (inform). The
gangs concentrate on trucks (5) ..... (carry) high-value marketable loads.
Drivers have now been forbidden (6) ..... (pick up) hitch-hikers, and have been
warned against (7) ..... (be) careless when (8) ..... (park) in motorway service
areas. Yesterdays (9) ..... (hijack) on the M6 was the fourth in the area this
month.
(B)
Inspector Waterman is interviewing Stan Fletcher, the driver of the (1).....
(hijack) truck.
Inspector
:
Stan:

Inspector
:
Stan:

Now, Mr Fletcher. How did you manage (2) ..... (lose) your
truck?
OK. I was driving down the M6 from Scotland (3) ..... (carry)
whisky in cases. I decided (4) ..... (stop) at the station. I stopped
(5) ..... (get) some diesel. Then I went (6) ..... (make) a telephone
call. I was talking to my wife on the phone when I saw the lorry
(7) ..... (go) past me.
Had you remembered (8) ..... (lock) the cab door?
Yes, I always remember (9) ..... (lock) it. And I remember
(10) ..... (lock) it on this occasion. But I cant remember (11) .....
(check) it.

8. Complete the text using appropriate Nonfinite forms of the verbs in

brackets and retell the text.
A conventional or cellular office is a series of rooms (1) ..... (separate)
from each other by solid walls. (2) ..... (compare) to it, an open plan office
contains a (3) ..... (wait) area with a portable screen partly (4) ..... (separate) it
from the Computer area on the right. The left-hand side is occupied by the Sales
staff the Manager (5) ..... (sit) in the far corner and several (6) ..... (remain)
persons (7) ..... (space out), with a couple of screens (8) ..... (break) up the area
nearest the central pathway. On the right at the far end is the General Office
177

Verbals

178

once again only partly (9) ..... (separate) off by a movable screen and some (10)
..... (file) cabinets. Strategic plants (11) ..... (position) heightens the illusion of
separation. The overall effect of (12) ..... (have) everyone in one room is that
more people can be accommodated, (13) ..... (compare) with a cellular
arrangement, and change or expansion is relatively easy (14) ..... (do).
9. Complete the sentences using the correct Participle form.
1) I hated the sound of rain ..... on the roof. (patter)
2) She looked at the name ..... on the title-page. (write)
3) ..... his car, he remembered that he hadnt lunched. (garage)
4) When ..... to herself she spent her time at her writing desk. (leave)
5) Deeply ....., he rose and left the room. (affect)
6) ..... to read, think or work, she asked Liddy to stay and have breakfast with
her. (be able/neg)
7) She didnt speak, ..... with the sense of silent confidence. (fill)
8) They were indeed old friends, ..... at school together. (be)
9) ..... long ago, the manuscript was ellegible. (write)
10) About two-thirds of all taxes ..... go to the federal government. (collect)
10. Complete the sentences to form Participial constructions.
1) It ..... now pretty late, we left. (be)
2) She has found me ....., but I have found her ..... . (alter/neg, change)
3) She could feel her hands ..... exceedingly. (tremble)
4) The dog heard his name ..... through the open door. (pronounce)
5) You can get your clothes ..... from Europe. (send)
6) Weather ....., we shall go to the beach tomorrow. (permit)
7) They were walking on again, with Brian ..... calmly. (talk)
8) Mary sat without moving, with her eyes ..... on the portrait. (fix)
9) The Constitution sets the basic form of government: three separate
branches, each one ..... powers over the others. (have)
11. Translate the sentences into English using Participles where possible.
1) , , .
2) , , .
3) , , .
4) , , .
5) ,
.
6) , .
178

Verbals

179

7) , .
8) ;
.
9) , .
10) , .
11) ,
.
12) , ,
.
12. Put in the appropriate preposition/conjunction /particle where required.
1) By 1988 the cost ..... keeping someone in prison was over 250 dollars a
week.
2) ..... accepting office the Prime Minister is to form a government.
3) ..... qualify as a barrister you must take the exam of the Bar Council.
4) It the jurors hear the discussion about the law, it can interfere with their
ability ..... decide the facts in an impartial way.
5) Because there are many cases ..... be heard, judges encourage people to
come to an agreement in their case before trial.
6) A brand has a place in people's mind as a brand, whereas a mere product is
simply a way ..... fulfilling a physical need.
7) In a competitive economy, there is a clear theoretical advantage ..... being a
brand.
8) Market challengers attempt to increase their market share ..... attacking
either the leader or some market followers.
9) Public relations are concerned ..... maintaining the image of a company
product.
10) In such circumstances, producers will not be interested ..... making new
investments.
11) It is worth ..... recalling now that British manufacturing has been damaged
by sterling's weakness.
12) The company should take the blame ..... not managing expectations better.
13) The production and marketing departments cannot take financial
decisions ..... consulting the finance department.
14) ..... having a single production department is generally inefficient.
15) Production control methods are involved ..... ensure good material flow.
16) ..... determining its credit policy each company examines its intentions
carefully.
17) ..... determined, the credit policy should be carefully stated.
179

Verbals

180

18) ..... advertising the company saves some other costs.

19) ..... put at risk by investing, the company is naturally eager to recover those
funds as soon as possible.
20) ..... making a presentation to a small group of people, it is useful to have
some sort of drawing to illustrate what you mean.
21) ..... evaluating the figures the financial manager presents, the directors must
weigh the pros and cons.
22) The campaign is called a failure ..... achieving no results.
23) Teams are often not nery good ..... making decisions.
24) Many figures can be meaningful ..... compared.
25) People expect individual currencies ..... disappear and be replaced by
international ones.
26) It is necessary ..... the government to create regulatory bodies.
27) In North America, M&A activity reached a great pace, ..... 1,600 deals
completed.
13. Put in the appropriate Nonfinite form of the verbs in brackets.
1) He was made ..... . (comply)
2) He couldn't but ..... Jane's assistance. (appreciate)
3) There was no time for the goods ..... . (examine)
4) What made him ..... that the policeman had managed his fingerprints?
(think)
5) ..... a law about equal rights doesn't necessarily mean that women get them.
(pass)
6) ..... doesn't count so much in politics as outsiders might think. (like)
7) To read his novel was like ..... in a lake so clear that you could see the
bottom. (swim)
8) ..... in that communion was like being born an Englishman. (breed)
9) I'm supposed ..... to a meeting now .(go)
10) Ann heard her sister ..... the room. (enter)
11) They were seen ..... out of the hotel early in the morning. (check)
12) I'd rather ..... than travel by train. (drive)
13) You'd better ..... the tree, or they'll see you. (climb)
14) The attorneys insisted on Mark's ..... their questions. (answer)
15) The lawyer was expected ..... by Mark. (contact)
16) A mafia hitman had instructions ..... Mark. (kill)
17) ..... by mafia was very terrifying. (chase)
18) ..... of what might happen to him and his family Mark refused to testify. (be
afraid)
19) ..... the perfect crime, he became careless and began to make mistakes.
(commit)
180

Verbals

181

20) The most often ..... remark about statistics is probably: 'There are lies,
damned lies and statistics'. (quote)
21) The sale of expensive goods is likely ...... . (restrict)
22) The existence of large corporations showed the classical economic theory of
perfect competition ..... inadequate. (be)
23) The Conservative party believes in free enterprise and the importance of a
capitalist economy, with private ownership ..... to state control. (prefer)
14. Translate the sentences into English using the appropriate Infinite forms
of the verb.
1) , , :
, .
2) , ,
.
3) ,
.
4) .
5) - .
6) ,
.
7) .
8) ,
, .
9) ,
, ,
.
10) ,
.
11) , , .
12) , , .
13) .
14) , , ,
.
15) , .
16) , , ,
, .
17) ,
, ,
.
18) , .
181

Verbals

182

19) ?
20) ,
.
21) .
22) , , .
23) , , .
24) , .
25) , .
26) , .
27) ,
.
28) , ,
.
29) , , .
30) , .
31) ,
.
32) , .
33) , .
34) , .
35) , ,
.
36) , , .
37) , , .
38) ,
.
39) ,
.
40) , .
41) .
42) , .
43) ,
, .
44) ,
.
45) ,
.
46) , .
47) ,
.
182

Verbals

183

48) , ,
.
49) ,
.
50) ,
.
PROGRESS TEST
1. Put in the correct form of the Infinitive choosing from A, B or C.
1) There was nothing now ..... for.
A) to wait
B) to be waiting
C) to be waited
2) She put on her wedding dress and turned round ..... .
A) to be admired
B) to be abmiring
C) to admire
3) He appeared to have plenty of money, which was said ..... for a couple of
years at that company.
A) to be saved
B) to save
C) to have been saved
4) Stan seemed ..... silence intently, waiting for Susan to dismiss the subject.
A) to keep
B) to be keeping
C) to have been keeping
5) For the last few days she happened ..... to nobody but strange men.
A) to talk
B) to be talking
C) to have been talking
6) He is said ..... away a small fortune. So, he is safe.
A) to put
B) to have put
C) to be put
7) She couldn't help but ..... thankful for what her uncle had done for her sake.
A) to feel
B) feel
C) be feeling
8) You'd better ..... me back to my parents at once, or they' ll be really angry
with you.
A) take
B) to take
C) be taken
9) I'd rather ..... than ask him for another penny.
A) die
B) to die
C) to be dying
10) Jackie felt her blood ..... in her veins when she saw what was left of the
house.
A) to freeze
B) freeze
C) have frozen
2. Complete the sentences choosing the verbs from A, B or C.
11) We ..... to leave the building as soon as possible.
A) hoped
B) succeeded
C) dreamed
12) Fred ..... in solving the problem.
A) failed
B) succeeded
C) looked forward
183

Verbals

184

13) I ..... to going away next week.

A) hope
B) am thinking
14) Mary ..... to buy me a drink.
A) promised
B) insisted
15) The police ..... the criminal lie on the ground.
A) forced
B) allowed

C) am looking forward
C) objected
C) made

3. Complete choosing the right preposition from A,B or C.

16) The President began his speech ..... explaining his point of view on the
situation in the area.
A) in
B) by
C) with
17) Rachel seemed upset ..... hearing the news.
A) after
B) before
C) by
18) Melany left the company after her unsuccessful interview ..... being
confused.
A) by
B) without
C) with
19) In many countries of the Middle East husbands prevent their wives .....
taking a job outside their homes.
A) against
B) of
C) from
20) Furious with his employees ..... turning up late each morning, the director
decided to have a serious talk with them.
A) at
B) for
C) on
21) Nothing is gained ..... delaying.
A) without
B) in
C) by
22) The Foreign Minister was accused ..... interfering in the political affairs of
another state.
A) of
B) for
C) with
23) Mary wouldn't dream ..... going to Spain.
A) of
B) about
C) on
24) We were warned ..... signing any contract with the company without a
lawyer.
A) about
B) against
C) from
25) ..... discussing the future contract a lot of factors are to be taken into
consideration.
A) in
B) by
C) at
4. Complete with the correct form of the Verbals choosing them from A,
B or C.
184

Verbals

185

26) When Paul went out he remembered ..... the letter. He put it into the mail
box.
A) posting
B) having posted
C) to post
27) Jane regrets ..... the firm after twenty years.
A) to leave
B) leaving
C) having been left
28) After approving the agenda we went on ..... finance.
A) to discuss
B) discussing
C) discuss
29) Angela enjoys ..... tricks at people.
A) to play
B) to have played
C) playing
30) Julia has been ill but now she is beginning ..... better.
A) to get
B) getting
C) be getting
31) You are looking great. You seem ..... weight.
A) to lose
B) losing
C) to have lost
5. Complete the sentences using the correct form of Participles from the verbs
in brackets.
32) ..... seven hundred miles, he was now near the border of the United States.
(travel)
33) There was a silly smile ..... about the corners of his mouth. (play)
34) He had a beautiful house, and ..... a man of taste he had furnished it
admirably. (be)
35) ..... him by his figure and his movements, he was still young. (judge)
36) ..... by the beauty of the twilight, he strolled away from the hotel. (stir)
37) For a moment the trio stood as if ..... to stone. (turn)
38) Cecilia had heard very little..... in her own thoughts. (absorb)
39) ..... he went out. (dine)
40) If ..... to myself, I shouldn't lose my chance. (leave)
41) Thus absorbed, he would sit for hours ..... no interruption. (want)
42) She considered herself ..... to Mr Bennet. (engage)
43) It ..... now too dangerous to stay in the car any longer, Mark was waiting for
a chance to escape. (be)
44) He sat with his feet ..... on the chair. (put)
45) If ....., she slammed the door. (annoy)
46) Wnen ....., she never objected. (tell)
47) Douglas ..... to prove that he was right, reminded him of the promise.
(determine)
48) She looked at Mike as if ..... of his manners. (disapprove)
49) While ..... the message she thought what she should tell the manager. (read)
50) Let them have the details ..... . (settle)
6. Translate the sentences into English using Nonfinite forms of the verb
where possible.
185

Verbals

186

51) .
52) , .
53) .
54) , .
55) .
56) , .
57) ,
.
58) .
59) , .
60) , VII .
61) , .
62) .
63) , .
64) , -, .
65) , .
66) , ?
67) , .
68) , .
69) , .
70) , ,
.
71) ,
.
72)
.
73) , ?
74) , , ,
.
75) , .
76) , .
77) .
78) ,
.
79) .
80) , .
81) .
186

Verbals

187

82) , .
83) .
84) . .
85) .
86)
.
87) , .
88) , ,
.
89) , ,
.
90) .
91) ?
92)
.
93) ,
.
94)
, .
95) , , ,
.
96) ,
.
97) ,
.
98) .
99) ,
.
100) ,
.
Total: 100/_______

187

Chapter 9

NUMERALS
ENTRY TEST

1. Spell out the numbers.

1) 700, 000
2) 1,502
3) 500,097
4) 203,610
5) 4,500,700,000
2. Render the ways of reading the dates in speech.
1) 1100
2) 1999
3) 1905
4) 3000 B.C.
5) 2010
3. Give ordinals to the following cardinals.
1) two
6) eighteen
2) four
7) nineteen
3) five
8) twenty
4) eight
9) twenty-one
5) nine
10) thirty
4. Spell out the reading of the following numbers.
1) 325
2) 719
3) 3,077
4) 101 passengers
5) 600 men
6) Dial 7050 and ask for extension 90.
7) Borg leads in tennis by 30-0.
8) 1/8
9) 3/8
10) 1 4/9
11) 2/3 of the population
12) 220/408

Numerals

236

13) 7/10 mile

14) 0.5
15) 3.375
16) 1600 B.C.
5. Proofread the following sentences for errors in expressions of numbers.
1) 3,042 voters selected Ross.
2) She was 45 years old.
3) I agree 99 %.
4) 135 men and 118 women joined the club last year.
5) A 3rd baby cried.
6) At the spring graduation ceremonies, the university awarded over 2,000
bachelorss degrees.
7) Please, refer to page 184 in chapter six of your history book.
8) At 8 the gong sounded for supper.
9) The show was visited by 1.525 people.
10) Three thousands of pounds.
11) Eleven thousand a hundred visitors.
12) Paper measuring 14 by 17 inches can be used.
13) A sample schedule appears on page five.
14) Private property worth $2.500.000.
6. Translate into English (in writing). Spell out the numbers when necessary.
1) .
2) .
3) .
4) ?
5) .
6) 281 .
7) 7 .
8) .
9) 400 .
10) 42 .
11) 13 .
12) (12) , .
13) .
14) .
15) 250 .
16) 358 . .. .
17) 18 .
236

Numerals

237

18) .
19) .
20) .
_Total__/ 60

NUMERALS. MEANING AND USE

The numeral is a part of speech indicating number absolutely
(five centuries) or relatively to other persons and things in a series
(the fifth century). Accordingly numerals are divided into cardinal and
ordinal numerals (or cardinals and ordinals).
Cardinal numerals (one, two, five, etc.) indicate the exact number
and are used in counting as in five books, or in reading indications as
in page 6 (six), chapter 11 (eleven), No 24 (twenty-four), flat 51 (fifty-one).
(Cf., however, Russian where both cardinals and ordinals are
possible: ;
;
,
).
Cardinals may be simple words (numerals from one to twelve and
the words hundred, thousand and million), derivatives with the suffix
-teen (from thirteen to nineteen) and ty indicating tens as in twenty,
thirty, etc., and composits spelt with a hyphen as twenty-one, thirtytwo or written separately as two hundred and forty-five.
NOTE:
a) the use of the conjunction and in a composite after the word
hundred before the last word, in this case it is forty-five.
b) the use of the words hundred, thousand, and million: when
used of a definite number (or the word several) they are
never made plural: six hundred men, two hundred times,
several million dollars (note also the lack of the preposition of
in this case).

237

Numerals

238

If these words are used to convey the idea of a large number,

they must be made plural (note the use of the preposition of):
hundreds of people; Ive told him so hundreds of times. Millions of people
die every year from starvation.
The expressions dozen and score follow the same rules: a
dozen eggs but dozens of eggs.
c) The plural forties denotes an age or a period between 40 and 50;
similarly with fifties, sixties, etc.: She was a good-looking woman in
her forties. The book was published in the seventies/in the 70s/in the
1970s.

Ordinal numerals (first, second, etc.) show the order of

persons and things. Ordinals (with exception of the first three first,
second, third) are formed by means of the suffix th. Generally, they
are used with the definite article: the sixth, the eighth but sometimes
with the indefinite article when they do not show a definite order but
have the meaning one more: a third baby cried.
Examples of cardinals and ordinals are presented in the
following list.
0 nought, etc.
1 one
1st first
2 two
2nd second
3 three
3rd (3d) third
4 four
4th fourth
5 five
5th fifth
6 six
6th sixth
7 seven
7th seventh
8 eight
8th eighth
9 nine
9th ninth
10 ten
10th tenth
11 eleven
11th eleventh
12 twelve
12th twelfth
13 thirteen
13th thirteenth
14 fourteen
14th fourteenth
15 fifteen
15th fifteenth
16 sixteen
16th sixteenth
17 seventeen
17th seventeenth
18 eighteen
18th eighteenth
238

Numerals

239

19 nineteen
19th nineteenth
20 twenty
20th twentieth
21 twenty-one, etc.
21st twenty-first, etc.
30 thirty
30th thirtieth
40 forty
40th fortieth
100 one/a hundred
100th (one) hundredth
101 one/a hundred and one 101st (one) hundred and first
400 four hundred
400th four hundredth
1,000 one thousand
1,000th (one) thousandth
100,000 one/a hundred thousand100,000th (one) hundred thousandth
1,000,000 one/a million
1,000,000 th (one) millionth
NOTE:
a) the irregular spelling of ordinal numerals fifth, eighth, ninth,
and twelfth;
b) the suffixation of ordinal numbers expressed in figures the
last two letters of the written word must be added: 1st, 2nd, 3rd,
or 3d, 4th.
How to say numbers
And
In British English, and is used before the last word which may be
simple as in:
105 (read: a hundred and five);
101st (read: one hundred and first);
or a composite as in:
786 (read: seven hundred and eighty-six);
6, 234 (read: six thousand two hundred and thirty-four).
A and one
The words hundred, thousand and million can be used in the
singular with a or one, but not alone. A is more common in an
informal style, one is used when people are speaking more
precisely. Compare:
I want to live for a hundred years.
The journey took exactly one hundred days.
Ive saved a thousand pounds.
Pay the inspector of taxes one thousand pounds only (on a cheque).
239

Numerals

240

At the beginning of a number only a is used. Compare:

146 (read: a hundred and forty-six)
3,146 (read: three thousand, one hundred and forty-six)
They say a thousad for the round number 1,000, and before
and, but they say one thousand before a number of hundreds.
Compare:
1,000 (read: a thousand)
1,031 (read: a thousand and thirty-one);
1,100 (read: one thousand, one hundred)
1, 498 (read: one thousand, four hundred and ninety-eight).
Hundreds and thousands
With round numbers between 1,100 and 1,900 they often say
eleven hundred, twelve hundred, etc. instead of one thousand and
hundred, etc.
The reading of 0 (nought, zero, nil, o, love)
The figure 0 is normally read nought [no:t] in Br.E., and zero [zierou] in Am.E. It is replaced, in general use, by the negative
determiner no or the pronoun none:
There were no survivors from the air disaster.
None of the passengers or crew survived.
In measurements (e.g., of temperature), 0 is called zero:
Its five degrees below zero.
Its 0 F (read: zero degrees Fahrenheit).
-8 C (read: eight degrees below zero Centigrade).
When numbers are said figure by figure (e.g., in telephone
numbers), 0 is often called [ou] (like the letter o):
My account number is 41326069 (read: four one three two six o
six nine).
Nil [nil] or nothing is used in football or other team-games:
Brazil won 4 0 (read: four nil/ (to) nothing).
Manchester three, Liverpool nil.
Love is used in tennis and similar games. (This expression is
derived from the French loeuf, meaning the egg, presumably
because zero is egg-shaped (0):
5 0, your service; (read: five love).
240

Numerals

241

The reading of dates

The year:
When reading or speaking the word hundred may be used but
thousand is usually not:
He was born in 1957 (nineteen fifty-seven, or nineteen hundred
and fifty-seven).
Years before the Christian era are followed by the letters B.C.
(= before Christ). Years after the Christian era may be followed by
the letters A.D. (= Anno Domini [Lat.: in the year of our Lord]):
1500 B.C. = fifteen hundred B.C. (in this case it is also possible to
say one thousand five hundred B.C)
The days and months:
Though the days and months may be written in different ways:
He was born on 5 May
May 5
5th May
5th of May
May 5th (mostly AmE),
when reading or speaking they use ordinal numerals, so they say:
He was born on May the fifth or the fifth of May
Telling the time
Times of the clock are read out in full as follows:
At 5
at five (oclock)
At 5.15
at five fifteen, at a quarter past five, at a quarter after five
(AmE)
At 5.30
at five thirty, at half past five
At 5.45
at five forty-five, at a quarter to six, at a quarter of six
(AmE)
At 5.50
at five fifty, at ten (minutes) to six
At 6.10
at ten (minutes) past six, at ten minutes after six (AmE); at
six ten can be used when one is referring e.g. to a timetable.
Fractions
Fractions are read out in full as follows:
Simple fractions are expressed by using ordinal numbers (third/s,

fourth/s, fifth/s, etc.):

1
/2
(a) half
1
/4 a quarter

They stayed (for) a half hour / half an hour

They stayed (for) a quater of an hour
241

Numerals
1

/10
/4
2
/3
11/2
31/5
3

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a/one tenth
a tenth of the population
three quarters three quaters of an hour
two-thirds
two thirds of the population
one and a half one and a half hours or an hour and a half
three and a/one fifth
three and a fifth inches

NOTE:
a) the expression one and a half takes a plural noun (e.g. one
and a half kilometers);
b) expressions like hour, 7/10 mile are said three quarters of an
hour, seven tenths of a mile.
More complex fractions are often expressed by using the word
over: 317/509 three hundred and seventeen over five hundred and nine.
Decimals are read out in full, with each figure separate.
NOTE: they use a full stop (called point), not a comma, before
the fraction:
2.5 two point five
3.14 three point one four (three point fourteen)
0.78 point seventy-eight (point seven eight) or nought point
seventy-eight (US: zero point seventy-eight)

How to write numbers

In writing numerals may be spelled out or be represented by
figures: Boing 567.
NOTE:
In writing, commas (but not full stops) are used to separate
thousands: 100, 456; 1,000,000; 1,908,367,849.

Numerals in figures or in letters?

Although there is no definite rule, there are some guidelines that
should be followed.
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Usually most writers spell out numbers under 100 (as one, two,
the third, for seven years, forty-five years old) and use figures for
100 and over (286 buildings). But large numbers are spelled out: The
house was sold for $1 million.
A number that starts a sentence should always be spelled out,
even if it is over 100: Three thousand forty-four voters selected Teresa.
Whenever mentioning parts of a book (page numbers, sections,
chapters, exercises), figures are used: The teacher assigned exercise
12 on page 235.
In special or technical texts cardinals and ordinals should always
be indicated by figures.
Calculations
1. Addition
In small additions, they usually say and for +, and is or are for = :
Two and two is/are four.
Six and five is/are eleven.
Whats the eight and six?
In larger additions (and in more formal style) they use plus for +
and equals or is for = :
Seven hundred and twelve plus a hundred and forty-five is
(equals) eight hundred and fifty-seven.
2. Subtraction
In conversational style, dealing with small numbers, people say:
Four from seven leaves/is three.
Seven take away four leaves/is three.
In a more formal style, or dealing with larger numbers, minus
and equals are used:
Six hundred and nineteen minus four hundred and twenty-eight
equals a hundred and ninety-one.
3. Multiplication
In small calculations, the most common approach is to say three
fours, six sevens, etc, and to use are for = :
Three fours are twelve.
Six sevens are forty-two.
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In larger calculations, there are several possibilities. One way is

to say times for , and is or makes for = :
Seventeen times three hundred and eighty-one is/makes six
thousand, four hundred and seventy-seven.
In a more formal style, they say multiplied by and equals:
17 multiplied by 381 equals 6, 477.
4. Division
The simplest way is to use divided by and equals:
Two hundred and sixty-one divided by nine equals twenty-nine.
But in smaller calculations, people might say, for example:
Three into nine goes three (times).
Example of a spoken calculation
Here is a multiplication 146 281 (a hundred and forty-six
times two hundred and eighty-one), together with all its steps, in
the words that an English speaker might say as he was doing it.
146
281
29200
11680
146
41026
1. Put down two noughts.
2. Two sixes are twelve; put down 2 and carry 1; two fours are eight
and one are nine; two ones are two.
3. (Next line). Put down one nought.
4. Eight sixes are forty-eight; put down 8 and carry 4; eight fours are
thirty-two and four is thirty-six; put down 6 and carry 3; eight ones
are eight and three is eleven.
5. (next line) One times 146 is 146.
6. (The addition) Six and nought and nought is six; eight and four and
nought is twelve; put down 2 and carry 1; six and two are eight and
one is nine and is ten; put down 0 and carry 1; nine and one are
ten and one is eleven; put down 1 and carry 1; two and one are
three and one are four.
7. (Total) forty-one thousand and twenty-six.
(the example is taken from /Michael Swan.

Practical English Usage. OUP, 1986/).

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EXERCISES
1. Practise reading the following dates.
28 February, 1 May, 25 October, 29 March, 17 August, 25 December
56 B.C., 97 A.D., 878, 1001, 1604, 1917, 1989, 2000, 2005, 1900.
2. Practise reading the following numbers.
105; 189; 200; 247; 967; 1,300; 5,698; 7, 987, 009; 476,309,254.
3. Practise reading the telephone numbers.
76 907 3457; 0854 75499; 2234 06534; 245 3890; 2006 19857; 203 5678;
3389 9877; 4556 5678. Dial 7050 and ask for extension 90.
4. Answer the questions.
1) Whats the date today?
2) Whens your birthday?
3) Whats your date of birth?
4) Whens Christmas Eve?
5) Whens New Years Day?
6) Whats the population of your country?
7) Whats your address?
8) Whats the rate of unemployment in your country?
9) Whats the exchange rate between Euro and your currency?
10) Whats your telephone number?
5. Proofread the following sentences for errors in expressions of numbers.
1) We expected 329 members to attend the 3rd annual convention.
2) During the past 10 years, I have moved 22 times.
3) Paula won $2,000,000 as 1st prize in the lottery.
4) The revolutions of the 1840s were a turning point in 19th century European
history.
5) 1,139 students attended the rally.
6) We found 4 case studies in section eight of the first-year law book.
7) When she was a schoolgirl, she had a 3.2 average.
8) 225 people died in a plain crash.
9) They bought 12 chairs.
10) It is reported that 3 more soldiers were killed today in Iraq.
11) 135 men and 118 women joined the club last year.
12) A few minutes later a 3rd man entered the room.
13) At the spring graduation ceremonies, the university awarded over 2,000
bachelorss degrees.
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6. Practise reading numerals. Say what numerals are recommended to be

written out and why.
Hello, and good evening.
It is feared that 182 people may have died in a plane crash this morning.
The accident happened at 7.20. It was flight 409, going from Singapore to New
York. The plane had covered of the 12,000 mile trip, and had stopped to
refuel. Eye witnesses said that the plane had reached its take-off speed of 150
mph when a fire broke out in the rear engine. 106 people managed to escape the
blaze.
672 car workers walked out on strike today in Coventry. They had asked
for a pay rise of 8.7%, but the management said they could only offer 5 1/2 %.
This would mean an extra 7.50 per week. A union spokesman said Its not
enough.
A man armed with a shotgun held up cashiers at the National Bank today
and stole 5,500. Police have appealed for witnesses. The number to ring is
0106 744391.
Unemployment figures were released today. Last month there were
3,649,712 registered unemployed. Thats 14.5% of the work force. Over the
past year this number has increased by over 260,000.
And thats the end of tonights news. Good night.
7. Practise reading numerals.
(A) If A is the amount of sales for store T in 1999, then 0.08 A is the amount of
decrease and A 0.008 A = 0.92 A is the amount of sales for 2000. Therefore
the desired result can be obtained by dividing A by 0.92 A, which equals 1/0.92
or approximately 109 %.
(B) The home valued at $54,000 has 1 1/5 the value of the $45,000 home. Since
the one valued at $45,000 is taxed at $1,200, the tax on the $54,000 home
should be 1 1/5 $1,200, or $1,200 + 1/5 ($1,200), which is $1,200 + $240 =
$1,440.
8. Translate into English.
1) .
2) .
3) .
4) .
5) .
6) .
7) 427 520.
8) 2 000 .
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Numerals

9)
10)
11)
12)
13)
14)
15)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)

247

.
23 000.
1 250.
.
4 : 0.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

PROGRESS TEST
1. Spell out the numbers.
1) 503; 2) 6,015; 3) 7,140; 4) 1,910; 5) 2,106.
2. Render the ways of reading the dates in speech.
1) 1900; 2) 1984; 3) 1601; 4) 2000; 5)2003
3. Give ordinals to the following cardinals.
1) one 2) three 3) five 4) nine 5) twelve 6) nineteen 7) forty 8) one
hundred 9) one hundred and one 10) four hundred
4. Translate into English. Spell out the numbers when necessary.
1) .
2) .
3) .
4) .
5) 57.
6) 1001 .
7) , .
8) .
9) 5245 , .
10) 9/10.
11) 210 .
247

Numerals

12)
13)
14)
15)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)

248

.
11 000 .
54, .
450 .
309 .
.
- 40 50 .
.
.
Total:40/ ___

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249

249