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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Gerunds as adjectives
Is the word 'sleeping' in the sentence "A sleeping habit of mine is to roll around in bed" a gerund or an adjective? What about 'playing' in "Playing basketball is a good idea"? I would really appreciate an answer and a detailed explanation as to why. Examples would also be appreciated.
Top answer
The explanation is simple: an '-ing' verb form is called a gerund only when it is acting as a noun. A sleeping habit of mine is to roll around in bed. -- 'Sleeping' is an adjective: it modifies the noun 'habit'.
- The explanation is simple: an '-ing' verb form is called a gerund only when it is acting as a noun.
- A sleeping habit of mine is to roll around in bed.
- -- 'Sleeping' is an adjective: it modifies the noun 'habit'.
- Playing basketball is a good idea .
- -- 'Playing' is a gerund: it is the noun subject of the sentence.
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1 Answers
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The explanation is simple: an '-ing' verb form is called a gerund only when it is acting as a noun.
A sleeping habit of mine is to roll around in bed. -- 'Sleeping' is an adjective: it modifies the noun 'habit'.
Playing basketball is a good idea. -- 'Playing' is a gerund: it is the noun subject of the sentence.
A sleeping habit of mine is to roll around in bed. -- 'Sleeping' is an adjective: it modifies the noun 'habit'.
Playing basketball is a good idea. -- 'Playing' is a gerund: it is the noun subject of the sentence.
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