Due to my failing English
Hi guys! I have a question. Here’s the sentence: I wasn’t accepted to college due to my failing English.
Failing is a gerund (means I failed English exam), is my understanding correct? Or is it an adjective describing his level of English?
Thanks in advance!
Top answer
I'd take it as a gerund, but there's nothing to prevent an interpretation of a participle-adjective except the reader's "feel for English". In other words, not being accepted to college can be for these reasons: 1) I failed English (gerund interpretation of "failing") 2) my English was failing (participle-adjective interpretation) Native speakers are more likely to feel that the sentence is saying 1), not 2). CJ
- I'd take it as a gerund, but there's nothing to prevent an interpretation of a participle-adjective except the reader's "feel for English".
- In other words, not being accepted to college can be for these reasons: 1) I failed English (gerund interpretation of "failing") 2) my English was failing (participle-adjective interpretation) Native speakers are more likely to feel that the sentence is saying 1), not 2).
- CJ
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I'd take it as a gerund, but there's nothing to prevent an interpretation of a participle-adjective except the reader's "feel for English".
In other words, not being accepted to college can be for these reasons:
1) I failed English (gerund interpretation of "failing")
2) my English was failing (participle-adjective interpretation)
Native speakers are more likely to feel
0
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