Verb "Acting" as the Subject?
Are there any instances in which a verb can double as the subject of the same sentence? I am having a debate with a teacher, and she has given me a few examples; however, a few of them were wrong, insofar as she used an imperative and I argued that the implied "you" is the subject (e.g., Mow the lawn.)
She returned volley with another example where the answer isn't so cut and dried, though I initially argued that the implied "you" served as the subject again. After more thought, I don't think the subject is who did the arranging; I think the subject is whatever "proved to be...," which was the arranging:
"Arranging the preliminary events in chronological order proved to be the most efficient means of studying them."
Running the risk of sounding stupid, I have to ask—what is the subject?
I normally argue until the cows come home, but in this instance, I am not wholeheartedly convinced that I am right (don't tell her that, though).
Top answer
" Yes, the subject is the gerund 'arranging'.
- " Yes, the subject is the gerund 'arranging'.
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"Arranging the preliminary events in chronological order proved to be the most efficient means of studying them."
Yes, the subject is the gerund 'arranging'.
0Arranging the preliminary events in chronological order proved to be the most efficient means of studying them.
The subject is not a verb, but the whole of the underlined non-finite clause (a gerund-participial clause).
Most non-finite clauses have no overt subject, but in a sense we understand them as having subjects. Sometimes the subject can be d
0onomatopoeiaArranging the preliminary events in chronological order proved
In my opinion, there is an implied subject within the subject (the proper one) of the sentence.
It is an animate noun referring to a person/persons who "arranged the preliminary events in chronological order."
0
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