a bit more classes?

Question

Hi. I was told to "take a bit more English classes" after a conversation on the topic of swearing in English took a hostile turn. Specifically it was about whether the structure "he f...ing did it" is grammatically correct. I'd appreciate your input on both of the above quotes.

Philip · Accepted Answer

You should have been told to take a few more English classes.
No, the structure in question is not grammatically correct, because the f-word is not generally accepted as an adverb. Its use as an emphatic is found only in crude speech.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you very much!

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymouswhether the structure "he f...ing did it" is grammatically correct.

As shocking as it is, and as much as I advise against using it, it is grammatically correct.

Substitute "really" or "actually", which are the less colorful versions, and you can see that it's grammatically sound.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

The person said to me that the structure "he f...ing did it" is grammatically incorrect, because a gerund can't be used before a verb.

I think the structure is considered grammatically correct by native speakers (although it is certainly inappropriate).

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Hmmm,
I would say the adverbial form is called for here, in grammar terms. This means f...ing is more correctly f...ing-well.

ie "he f...ing-well did it"

Let's try to swear around here in a more educated manner, please.

Clive

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousThe person said to me that the structure "he f...ing did it" is grammatically incorrect, because a gerund can't be used before a verb.

There are a couple of flaws in this argument.

1. Just because a word ends in -ing doesn't make it a gerund.

In the middle of town there is a big building. building is an ordinary noun, not a gerund.

So the word in your example doesn't have to be a gerund just because it ends in -ing.
(In fact, it isn't a gerund anyway, because it has no noun-like properties in that sentence.)
_________

The same applies to any word category. Adverbs, for example, often end in -ly. That doesn't mean that every word that ends in -ly is an adverb. friendly, for example, is an adjective.

You can't judge a book by its cover, they say. Well, you can't judge a word category by its ending, either.

_________

2. Gerunds are very frequently used before verbs.

Fishing is permitted here.
Driving made her nervous.
Swimming has many healthful benefits.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you all.

a bit more classes?

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