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Tenacious Learner Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Question about a Gerund

Hi Teachers,

I have two questions:

1. Is it absolutely necessary the underlined 'her' in the following sentence?

2. Baking is a gerund, but does it behave like a 'verb' or 'noun' here? How can I know when it is a noun or a verb.

This Sunday morning, Susan's husband, Tom, is going to surprise her by baking her a chocolate cake while she is at her parents' house.

Thanks in advance
  

Top answer

Thinking Spain Hi Teachers, I have two questions: 1. Is it absolutely necessary the underlined 'her' in the following sentence? NO 2.

— Imantaghavi

  • Thinking Spain Hi Teachers, I have two questions: 1.
  • Is it absolutely necessary the underlined 'her' in the following sentence?
  • NO 2.
  • Baking is a gerund, but does it behave like a 'verb' or 'noun' here?
  • How can I know when it is a noun or a verb.
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9 Answers
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Thinking SpainHi Teachers,
I have two questions:
1. Is it absolutely necessary the underlined 'her' in the following sentence? NO
2. Baking is a gerund, but does it behave like a 'verb' or 'noun' here? How can I know when it is a noun or a verb.because of by.

This Sunday morning,
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Hi imantaghavi,

Thank you for your reply.

Is it a verb because of by?

How can I know when a gerund is a noun or a verb?

TS
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Hi imantaghavi,Hi imantaghavi,
Thank you for your reply.
Is it a verb because of by?NO.It's gerund(as a noun)
How can I know when a gerund is a noun or a verb?When it's preceded by an auxilliary it's a verb.E.g:I'm going to school.
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In this sentence the "her" is necessary, because that is the whole point of the situation: the cake is for her, and it's a surprise for her - he's not just baking it to show that he can bake a cake. Without the "her" the sentence is still grammatical, but the essence of the meaning is lost.

The word "baking" has its origins in the verb "to bake," but here it functions, not as a verb, bu
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Hi imantaghavi,

Thank you very much for your reply.

Best,

TS
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Thinking Spain1. Is it absolutely necessary the underlined 'her' in the following sentence?
Her can be omitted (it is the indirect object), but if you omit it, the meaning will change.

For example, both of these are grammatically correct, but have a different meaning.

John sent him a package.

John sent a package.
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Hi Anonymous,

Thank you so much for your answer. It is quite an answer. I really appreciate your time and explanation.

Is it true that a gerund behaves like a verb when it has an auxiliary verb before it?

Best,

TS
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Hi AlpheccaStars,

Thank you so much for your detailed reply. I really appreciate it. Now I understand very well when it is a noun, a verb, and even an adjective.
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Hi imantaghavi,

When it's preceded by an auxilliary it's a verb.E.g:I'm going to school.

Now I got it! The auxiliary has to be the verb 'be'.

Thanks a lot again

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