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Johner Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Adj /noun + gerund

Hi,

I can't figure out when I can use "adjective(noun)" pattern without an preposition in between? Such as;

I have some trouble distinguishing these two.

She's always busy comforting her boyfriend.

Other than "busy and trouble which adjectives(nouns) can be applied to this grammer rule?

Thanks in advance..
  

Top answer

Do you happen to have a reference for this construction, Johner? I'm having a hard time seeing those two examples as gerunds. They seem more like participles to me.

— Avangi

  • Do you happen to have a reference for this construction, Johner?
  • I'm having a hard time seeing those two examples as gerunds.
  • They seem more like participles to me.
  • Why do you have "noun" in parentheses?
  • I'd even be happy if you'd give us an example with "a preposition in between," just so I can see what you mean.
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24 Answers
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Do you happen to have a reference for this construction, Johner?

I'm having a hard time seeing those two examples as gerunds. They seem more like participles to me.

Why do you have "noun" in parentheses?

I'd even be happy if you'd give us an example with "a preposition in between," just so I can see what you mean.

Regards, - A.
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Hi,
AvangiDo you happen to have a reference for this construction, Johner?
I don't. I'm not sure that they're gerunds. But it doesn't make any difference. I just want to learn when I can use this structure? with which adjectives or nouns can we ommit the prepositions? (I guess in my examples this adj is "with")

AvangiWhy do you
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johnerI just want to learn when I can use this structure? with which adjectives or nouns can we ommit the prepositions?
I wish I had a list to refer you to, but I'm not aware that anyone has made such a list. I think it's a matter of making our own list and adding to it as we see new examples. I check out synonyms for the possibility that they too allow the
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Hi CJ,

As far as I see, in the class with trouble, this is a "gerund or infinitive" thing. I mean it's not "I have troubles with fixing the car. It's "I have troubles fixing the car" OR "I have troubles to fix the car". Is this true? Because I thought that we didn't put a preposition after "trouble", although we had to do. This ma
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johnerit's not "I have troubles with fixing the car."
Typically not, no. But it's borderline. You might hear someone say it.

johnerIt's "I have troubles fixing the car" OR "I have troubles to fix the car". Is this true?
Not true. Only the first one is good. I have troubles to fix the car is ungrammatical
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Hi,

A few examples from the internet; this time 'hard time' :

Luce just has a hard time getting along with her best friend's.

I also found the commentary annoying, but I had a hard time putting my finger on what was annoying about it.

Who told Rebecca Black she could sing? Someone lied to her and her voice is annoying! Had a hard time dec
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AnonymousA few examples from the internet; this time 'hard time'
Bravo! Emotion: smile

CJ
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johnerI have troubles with fixing the car
With fixing the car - is a noun phrase (or may be called preposition phrase) modifying I have a hard time.

I have a hard time fixing the car. Fixing -is a present participle used in the adverbial phrase.

Particple phrases are very common:

I
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dimsumexpressShe spent a whole week preparing food for John's birhtday party.
Right. I had forgotten about the family of these with "spend [amount of time]". We should add these to the list.
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More from the internet: "It is equally delightful seeing our students gaining success in the widest range of activities and recognising the sheer quality of the young people who leave our school as mature and confident young adults." (About Bartholomew School.)
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