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Guest Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
The "-ing" form
Hello, All,
Could you help me with the following phrases,
a dread of destroying the miracle of life
a dread of destruction of the miracle of life
Are they both correct? What is the difference in meaning?
Whenever a verb-ing is needed following a preposition, I think of using a noun because grammar books say that the preposition takes only a noun or something equivlent to noun. Since nouns are available, why don't use a noun instead of a verb in "-ing" form? Thank you very much for your help.
Could you help me with the following phrases,
a dread of destroying the miracle of life
a dread of destruction of the miracle of life
Are they both correct? What is the difference in meaning?
Whenever a verb-ing is needed following a preposition, I think of using a noun because grammar books say that the preposition takes only a noun or something equivlent to noun. Since nouns are available, why don't use a noun instead of a verb in "-ing" form? Thank you very much for your help.
Top answer
'a dread of destroying the miracle of life' 'a dread of destruction of the miracle of life' In the first phrase, the '-ing' form of the verb is acting as a noun, and as such can be the object of a preposition. In your examples, both grammatically correct, the meanings are essentially equivalent. Normally, if a traditional noun is available, it would be preferable to the '-ing' (gerund) form.
- 'a dread of destroying the miracle of life' 'a dread of destruction of the miracle of life' In the first phrase, the '-ing' form of the verb is acting as a noun, and as such can be the object of a preposition.
- In your examples, both grammatically correct, the meanings are essentially equivalent.
- Normally, if a traditional noun is available, it would be preferable to the '-ing' (gerund) form.
- However, the gerund carries a feeling of the action or ongoing activity, and may stress the actor (who may also be the subject), which the noun often does not; if that is to your purpose, then the '-ing' form should be chosen: 'A dread of destroying' suggests that the speaker may fear the results of his own action; on the other hand, the state noun in 'a dread of destruction'-- and this would more normally carry the article 'the' (a dread of the destruction'-- tends to objectivize the action, and the speaker is more likely referring to devastation by a more anonymous hand.
- Another reason for choice is style.
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1 Answers
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'a dread of destroying the miracle of life'
'a dread of destruction of the miracle of life'
In the first phrase, the '-ing' form of the verb is acting as a noun, and as such can be the object of a preposition. In your examples, both grammatically correct, the meanings are essentially equivalent.
Normally, if a traditional noun is available, it would be preferable to the '
'a dread of destruction of the miracle of life'
In the first phrase, the '-ing' form of the verb is acting as a noun, and as such can be the object of a preposition. In your examples, both grammatically correct, the meanings are essentially equivalent.
Normally, if a traditional noun is available, it would be preferable to the '
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