Verbs and Abstract Nouns
Hello,
I always get confused between abstract nouns and verbs.
In the following sentence, the word ‘kissing’ is, I think, a noun (a gerund): ‘John like kissing’.
In the following sentence the word ‘kissing’ is, I think, a verb.
‘John likes kissing Mary’
Is this correct?
Thanks
Top answer
John likes kissing is strictly speaking ambiguous, but the verb is the more salient interpretation ( John likes to kiss ). Noun interpretation can be forced by adjectival premodification, as in passionate kissing . John likes kissing Mary is clearly a verb since it has the direct object Mary .
- John likes kissing is strictly speaking ambiguous, but the verb is the more salient interpretation ( John likes to kiss ).
- Noun interpretation can be forced by adjectival premodification, as in passionate kissing .
- John likes kissing Mary is clearly a verb since it has the direct object Mary .
- Nouns do not take direct objects.
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John likes kissing is strictly speaking ambiguous, but the verb is the more salient interpretation (John likes to kiss). Noun interpretation can be forced by adjectival premodification, as in passionate kissing.
John likes kissing Mary is clearly a verb since it has the direct object Mary. Nouns do not take direct objects.
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