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105
Judging from what you say, he ought to succeed.
Strictly speaking, this is illegal.
Predicative constructions with participle I
§ 137. Participle I may function as part of a predicative construction, entering into a predicative relationship
with some nominal element and forming a syntactical unit with it.
The objective participial construction
The objective participial construction consists of a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective
case and participle I forming a syntactical complex, the two main components of which are in predicative
relationship. Since the construction always follows transitive verbs, its syntactical function is that of a complex
object.* Thus in its meaning it corresponds to a subordinate clause and is usually translated into Russian by a
subordinate object clause:
* For details see p. II Syntax. The Predicative Constructions (The Complex Object).
I saw John playing tennis
I saw him playing tennis
We heard them singing
- Я видел, как Джон играет в теннис.
- Я видел, как он играет в теннис.
- Мы слышали, как они поют.
In many cases, however, the translation depends on the verb it reters to and on the requirements of the
Russian usage.
The nominal element usually refers to a person or a thing different from that denoted by the subject of the
sentence. If it refers to the same person as the subject, a reflexive pronoun is to be used, as in:
He heard himself uttering the words.
The construction is generally used with non-perfect participle I active, and occasionally it occurs with
participle I passive:
I could see the books being taken away.
Some of the verbs followed by the objective participial construction occur also with the objective infinitive
construction (such as to see, to watch, to hear, to feel). The difference between these two constructions
concerns the meaning suggested by an infinitive or participle I; the former emphasizes the fact of an action
being completed, the latter its processual character, as in:
I saw the car stop at the gate.
I saw the car stopping.
-
Я видел, что машина, остановилась у ворот.
- Я видел, как машина остановилась (останавливалась) у ворот.
If the homogeneous infinitives are used, they denote two actions in succession. If two participles I are
homogeneous, they suggest two simultaneous actions.
I heard him leave the room and lock the door.
Soames saw Bosinney watching her and smiling to
himself.
- Я слышал, как он вышел из комнаты и запер ее.
- Соме увидел, что Босинни наблюдал за ней и
улыбался сам себе.
The objective participial construction is used:
a) with verbs of sense perception,
b)with various verbs of causative meaning, or inducement.
c) occasionally with verbs expressing wish.