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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Problem with gerund phrases
I have several students who use the following construction: "I can't be having this at work." I know the sentence is incorrect, but I'm having a difficult time articulating why. Can someone help me?
Top answer
I don't see any problem with this sentence, so thinking out loud, I formed a parallel construction based on: subject + modal + not + be having + object. I really shouldn't be having another drink. I already had three beers.
- I don't see any problem with this sentence, so thinking out loud, I formed a parallel construction based on: subject + modal + not + be having + object.
- I really shouldn't be having another drink.
- I already had three beers.
- I can't still be having this headache; I took some aspirin 15 minutes ago.
- I don't see any problem with this form of construction.
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2 Answers
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I don't see any problem with this sentence, so thinking out loud, I formed a parallel construction based on:
subject + modal + not + be having + object.
I really shouldn't be having another drink. I already had three beers.
I can't still be having this headache; I took some aspirin 15 minutes ago.
I don't see any problem with this form of construction.
Perhap
subject + modal + not + be having + object.
I really shouldn't be having another drink. I already had three beers.
I can't still be having this headache; I took some aspirin 15 minutes ago.
I don't see any problem with this form of construction.
Perhap
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Nothing to do with gerunds (which are nouns).
Actually, it's a possible sentence, used for emphasis; however, 'have' in this sense is normally not found in progressive form. That's why it looks odd to you.
Actually, it's a possible sentence, used for emphasis; however, 'have' in this sense is normally not found in progressive form. That's why it looks odd to you.
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