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Seraph42 Posted 6 years ago
Grammar

I always get confused between gerund and adjective. I think everyone does. that's a drawback of English language.

I was looking at someone's bio.


So in the dislike section he wrote "controlling women"


now I don't understand is controlling a gerund there or adjective.


Is it women who control others (adjective)

or to control women? (activity)

  

Top answer

seraph42 now I don't understand is controlling a gerund there or adjective. Now I don't understand whether "controlling" is a gerund (nominal) there or a participle (adjectival). I don't either, and I don't think anyone can.

— CalifJim

  • seraph42 now I don't understand is controlling a gerund there or adjective.
  • Now I don't understand whether "controlling" is a gerund (nominal) there or a participle (adjectival).
  • I don't either, and I don't think anyone can.
  • You're looking at an inherently ambiguous case.
  • CJ
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2 Answers
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seraph42now I don't understand is controlling a gerund there or adjective.
Now I don't understand whether "controlling" is a gerund (nominal) there or a participle (adjectival).

I don't either, and I don't think anyone can.

You're looking at an inherently ambiguous case.

CJ

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seraph42So in the dislike section he wrote "controlling women"

This person may have been intentionally ambiguous.
There are other ways to express the idea.


He doesn't like to control women.
He doesn't like assertive women. (women tho like to be in control).

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