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Hans51 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Who eat -> eating

Cats who eat a high protein diet live longer.
-> Cats eating a high protein diet live longer.

I do not like people who smoke.
-> I do not like smoking people.

I am learning new things about English every day. How demanding it isEmotion: sweating But thank to your help, I can stand it.

So today's question is why "who eat" can be "eating" but "people who smoke" cannot be "people smoking" or "smoking people"? I think this is one of the fixed rules or because there is some ambiguity or not. What do you teachers think about it? Thank you as usual and have a good day.
  

Top answer

Isn't this deja vu all over again? So today's question is why " who eat " can be " eating " but " people who smoke " cannot be " people smoking " or " smoking people "? It can be "smoking people", it just isn't very good.

— Enoon

  • Isn't this deja vu all over again?
  • So today's question is why " who eat " can be " eating " but " people who smoke " cannot be " people smoking " or " smoking people "?
  • It can be "smoking people", it just isn't very good.
  • "People smoking" as an object means something else and is more grammatically sound as "people's smoking" for the gerund.
  • "Cats eating" is different grammatically, "eating" heading as it does an adjectival participial phrase.
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7 Answers
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Isn't this deja vu all over again?

So today's question is why "who eat" can be "eating" but "people who smoke" cannot be "people smoking" or "smoking people"?

It can be "smoking people", it just isn't very good. "People smoking" as an object means
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Hans51I do not like people who smoke.-> I do not like smoking people.
I am reminded of this common phrase:
The evidence was strong, but there was no smoking gun.
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But you can say:I don't like people smoking in my office.The adverb phrase, in my office, makes the sentence much clearer, and more natural.
What a great example and explanation!! Thank you and could I ask one more? I think the sentence "I don't like people smoking in my office." can be interpreted in two ways.

1) I do not like people who smoke in my office.
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It is the smoking that you don't like. You might like the people, but not their behavior.
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Yes, that's true, but in "people that or who smoke in the office", I can sense what kinds of people? But In "I do not like people smoking in my office", I think we can sense not only what kind of people but also their behavior. What do you think?
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If you said, "I do not like the people smoking in my office," it would mean that there were actually people smoking in your office at the time of your comment, and that you do not like those particular people.
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1) I do not like people who smoke in my office.
OK, Jane comes into your office, sits down and lights a cigarette.

#1 means that Jane no longer on your "friend" list. You don't like Jane.

2) I do not like that people smoke in my office.
Sometimes people come into your office and light up a cigarette. You don't like this.
This has the same meaning as " I don't like p
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