Help me understand this sentence

Question

Pump prices are highest on the West Coast, averaging $2.034 per gallon, and cheapest on the Gulf Coast, averaging $1.757 per gallon. In the Midwest, gas averages $1.848 per gallon.

Why did the writer use "averaging". I mean whats with the "ing" forms? Any link where I can learrn about this rule?
And use "in" when the previous sentences use on

Thank you.

MountainHiker · Accepted Answer

ThatForeignGuy,

My understanding is that "averaging" is being used as a gerund. I might be wrong, so it is best to wait for a confirmation or a better answer.

You could rewrite the sentence as:

Original: Pump prices are highest on the West Coast, averaging $2.034 per gallon, and cheapest on the Gulf Coast, averaging $1.757 per gallon.

Modified: Averaging $2.034 per gallon, pump prices are highest on the West Coast, and cheapest on the Gulf Coast, averaging $1.757 per gallon.

All that it means that the average of the pump prices on the West Coast are $2.034 per gallon.

Or,

The pump prices average $2.034...

Or,

Averaging $2.034 per gallon, pump prices are....

As far as "In the Midwest...." the "In" simply means in the region of the MidWest.

Acccording to GuruNet

Midwest or Middle West, region of the United States centered on the western Great Lakes and the upper-middle Mississippi valley. It is a somewhat imprecise term that has been applied to the northern section of the land between the Appalachians and the Rocky Mts. More often it is restricted to the Old Northwest Territory and the neighboring states to the southern border of Missouri, E of the Great Plains. It thus includes Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2003, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

When you are discussing something that is happening withIN a region, you use "in".

For example,

In California, gas prices are too high.

In Nevada, the housing market is on fire.

In Montana, people have a beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains.

Again, just to make sure someone confirms or refutes the "gerund" theory for "averaging" before considering this case closed.

Hope that helps.

MountainHiker

CalifJim · Answer

Technically, the "-ing" forms that are used as nouns are called "gerunds"; the "-ing" forms that are used as adjectives or adverbs are called "(present) participles". "averaging" modifies "prices" like an adjective, so it is a participle in this case.

Prices averaging $2.03 per gallon are common in California.
High prices are common in California.

IN: the West, the Midwest, the East, the South, the North, the North Central States
(analogous to IN: the field, the area, the neighborhood, the state, the country)

ON: the West Coast, the East Coast, the Eastern Seaboard, the Black Sea, the Atlantic Coast
(analogous to ON: the coast, the beach, the edge, the shore, the bank (of the river), the brink, the rim (of the canyon))

MountainHiker · Answer

CalifJim,

I sometimes mix up gerunds and participles. I should have gotten this one correct. Thank you for clearing that up!

MountainHiker

Thatforeignguy · Answer

thanks mods

I'm still learning to write like that newswriter guy.

MountainHiker · Answer

ThatForeignGuy,

I'm still learning to write like that newswriter guy.

Aim higher.

It's hard to tell his writing style from a simple sentence or two. You might wish to read the NY Times Online. It is free, though you do have to register.

Good luck.

MountainHiker

Help me understand this sentence

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions