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Vincent Teo Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

a shouting

Can I say,

He heard a shouting from a boy.
  

Top answer

Very odd to make shouting countable, Vincent.

  • Very odd to make shouting countable, Vincent.
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5 Answers
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Very odd to make shouting countable, Vincent.
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If I say,

He heard a shout from a boy.
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Thank you.

I consider the word "shouting" a gerund and the use of an article, whether it be definite or indefinite, is not new, I think. What is appropriate in certain circumstances is difficult to know. Can you tell me what I need to know?

eg,
We men have troubles and concerns. It is a laying aside some of those things that is difficult to do but must do to find a peace of
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Yours needs fixing: It is a laying aside of some of those things

I find this reclassification into a countable noun not good; it is better as: It is laying aside some of those things that is difficult to do.... Secondary classification (which has nothing to do with gerunds per se) is an epiphenomenon of modification, and thereby separation of kinds.

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