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Johnpat Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
Noun vs. Verb
In a discussion I used the following sentence: "You are hopeless at reading comprehension".
A counter argument was presented that "reading comprehension" is a compounded noun and I was treating it as a verb.
Was my sentence structure grammatically correct or was it not correct?
A counter argument was presented that "reading comprehension" is a compounded noun and I was treating it as a verb.
Was my sentence structure grammatically correct or was it not correct?
Top answer
johnpat reading comprehension Yes. This is a compound noun even though "reading" is a gerund (a verb form). , something written)".
- johnpat reading comprehension Yes.
- This is a compound noun even though "reading" is a gerund (a verb form).
- , something written)".
- In any case, it is not a matter of comprehension which is reading (doing some reading).
- CJ
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8 Answers
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johnpatreading comprehensionYes. This is a compound noun even though "reading" is a gerund (a verb form). The equivalent idea is something like "the comprehension of reading (i.e., something written)".
In any case, it is not a matter of comprehension which is reading (doing some reading).
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So from a strictly grammatical point of view I mess up a little and perhaps should have written:
"Your reading comprehension is hopeless"
"Your reading comprehension is hopeless"
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Reading you reply again I think the sentence:
"You are hopeless in the comprehension of reading"
Would also have been correct
I hate it when I mess up
"You are hopeless in the comprehension of reading"
Would also have been correct
I hate it when I mess up
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Thank you for your reply CalifJim.
Hopefully you may be able to assist with the last interpretation of mine.
Hopefully you may be able to assist with the last interpretation of mine.
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johnpat Thank you for your reply CalifJim.Hopefully you may be able to assist with the last interpretation of mine.You are hopeless at reading comprehension.
Your reading comprehension is hopeless.
You are hopeless in the comprehension of reading.
All three are grammatically acceptable.
CJ
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Tell me, is the phrase "you are hopeless at athletic ability" grammatically correct as well?
It isn't, and neither is "you are hopeless at reading comprehension" Reading comprehension is an ability you have (to a varying degree), not something you attempt. One can be hopeless at reading, one cannot be hopeless at reading comprehension.
It isn't, and neither is "you are hopeless at reading comprehension" Reading comprehension is an ability you have (to a varying degree), not something you attempt. One can be hopeless at reading, one cannot be hopeless at reading comprehension.
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johnpat"You are hopeless in the comprehension of reading"It's actually the comprehension of what you are reading that the 'you' is hopeless at.
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