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Pokh Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Gerund/Noun

Guys,

What is the difference between The destroying of the ancient library and The destruction of the ancient library? Any shift on emphasis or change on meaning ...Please clarify..
  

Top answer

Where a well-formed noun (destruction) exists, the gerund form usually sounds odd or awkward; however, it can sometimes be used to emphasize the action: The destroying of the ancient library by the Goths and Visigoths was swift and violent. The destruction of the ancient library has left us with very few authentic texts from that period.

  • Where a well-formed noun (destruction) exists, the gerund form usually sounds odd or awkward; however, it can sometimes be used to emphasize the action: The destroying of the ancient library by the Goths and Visigoths was swift and violent.
  • The destruction of the ancient library has left us with very few authentic texts from that period.
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1 Answers
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Where a well-formed noun (destruction) exists, the gerund form usually sounds odd or awkward; however, it can sometimes be used to emphasize the action:

The destroying of the ancient library by the Goths and Visigoths was swift and violent.

The destruction of the ancient library has left us with very few authentic texts from that period.

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