Selling

Question

I wonder if "selling" is gerund.I got a job selling computers.If it is gerund, I woul dlike to know which is correct.1. I got a job selling computers.= I got a job of selling computers.2. I got a job selling computers.= I got a job which is selling computers.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

WowenglishI wonder if "selling" is gerund.I got a job selling computers.

If it is gerund, I woul dlike to know which is correct.1. I got a job selling computers.= I got a job of selling computers.2. I got a job selling computers.= I got a job which is selling computers.

It's a gerund. I got a job, and the job is [selling computers / to sell computers]. Selling computers is the job.

Both of your paraphrases are possible, but note that the second one should not be taken to mean that the job is doing the selling, of course, so a comma would be nice. I got a job, which is selling computers. The infinitive would make it clearer. I got a job, which is to sell computers.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Hi CJ,

Is the "selling computers" a noun complement of the object "a job" in the sentence "I got a job selling computers."?

Or, is the "selling computers" a non-finite clause where "computers" is an object of the verblike "selling"?

Canadian45 · Answer

WowenglishI wonder if "selling" is a gerund. I got a job selling computers. If it is a gerund, I would like to know which is correct.1. I got a job selling computers.= I got a job of selling computers.2. I got a job selling computers.= I got a job which is selling computers.

I am not sure about this, but I think that "selling" is a present participle, an adjective modifying "job".

1) I got a job selling computers.

2) I know the man selling computers. Again, I think that "selling" modifies "man".

CalifJimIt's a gerund. I got a job, and the job is [selling computers / to sell computers]. Selling computers is the job. Of course if you change the sentence structure, you can change the function of a word.

A gerund takes the position of a noun in sentences, as in the underlined sentence.

He objects to my selling computers.

Both of your paraphrases are possible, but note that the second one should not be taken to mean that the job is doing the selling, of course, so a comma would be nice. I got a job, which is selling computers. The infinitive would make it clearer. I got a job, which is to sell computers. CJ
I will try to research this further and see if we can agree on an answer. This question is also posted on another ESL site, without an answer so far.

Dimsumexpress · Answer

My interpertation of this sentence is, selling - is a present participle used to make up the noun phrase, "selling computer" which modifies the main clause "I got a job". It's the same structure as;

" I saw Mary walking her dog..."

But for this one, it can be tricky:

" They worked through the night, trying to finish painting their house. But I read it as "trying" is participle, and painting theri home"

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousIs the "selling computers" a noun complement of the object "a job" in the sentence "I got a job selling computers."?
Or, is the "selling computers" a non-finite clause where "computers" is an object of the verblike "selling"?

Both interpretations have a ring of truth. The two are not mutually exclusive. Your first interpretation has to do with the role of the gerund clause in the whole sentence. Your second has to do with the internal structure of the gerund clause.

selling computers might be seen as a noun complement of the object job, but I think it is more easily seen as an appositive.

I saw the planet Jupiter through the telescope. (The appositive Jupiter explains which planet I saw.)

I got a job selling computers. (The appositive selling computers explains which kind of job I got.)

Within the (non-finite) gerund clause selling computers, computers is certainly the direct object, as you say.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you, CJ, for your useful reply.

Selling

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions