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Tenacious Learner Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Is it a gerund?

Hi teachers,
In both cases 'burning' is a gerund, isn't it?
a) There is a fire burning in a fireplace.
b) There are three candles burning.

Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

I will defer to someone else for expert advise on this one, but my opinion is that these are not gerunds. A gerund is typically an -ing verb that functions like a noun. "In the examples you gave, I see burning as what the fire and candles are doing.

— KJinCali79

  • I will defer to someone else for expert advise on this one, but my opinion is that these are not gerunds.
  • A gerund is typically an -ing verb that functions like a noun.
  • "In the examples you gave, I see burning as what the fire and candles are doing.
  • Which to me, does not seem like a gerund.
  • But I could be wrong.
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11 Answers
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I will defer to someone else for expert advise on this one, but my opinion is that these are not gerunds. A gerund is typically an -ing verb that functions like a noun. (There are other types as well though).For example, "Smoking endangers your health." Here endangers is the main verb, and smoking which has some verb properties is functioning as a subject, meaning "The act of smoking."In the e
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Hi,
Thank you for your reply. Then if it's not a gerund, is it a present participle?

TS
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It's not a gerund to me either. I'm no grammar expert but I would call it a "present participle".

EDIT: I didn't see your reply. Yes, I think it is a present participle.
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ozzourtiIt's not a gerund to me either. I'm no grammar expert but I would call it a "present participle".
Hi,
Thank you for your reply.

TS
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Hi,
If it is a present participle, is it a verb or an adjective?
Thanks
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Hi Thinking Spain,
This is my way of identifying a present participle. If the words immediately preceding an "ing" verb can form a basic sentence (meaning complete with a subject, verb and object) , such as both cases in your sentences. then the "ing" verb is a present participle. :

a) There is a fire burn
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Hi dimsumexpress,
Thank YOU so much for your explanation and commentaries.

TS
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Thinking SpainHi,If it is a present participle, is it a verb or an adjective?Thanks
A present participle is a none-finite form of a verb, meaning unbound by tense aspects. In most cases, they are adverbial by nature. i.e. She hates people telling her what to do. If it is adjective, it should be immediately followed by
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Thinking SpainHi teachers,In both cases 'burning' is a gerund, isn't it?a) There is a fire burning in a fireplace.b) There are three candles burning.Thanks in advance.
No, "burning" is a present participle, not a gerund. In your first example, it heads the participial clause "burning in a fireplace", which modifies the noun "fire"; in your second example it's
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dimsumexpressA present participle is a none-finite form of a verb, meaning unbound by tense aspects. In most cases, they are adverbial by nature. i.e. She hates people telling her what to do. If it is adjective, it should be immediately followed by a noun. i.e.A crying baby.A smoking gunA burning candle
Hi dimsumexpress,
Thank you very much for this reply
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