1. In Latin, a noun derived from a verb and having all case forms except the nominative. 2. In other languages, a verbal noun analogous to the Latin gerund, such as the English form ending in -ing when used as a noun, as in singing in We admired the choir's singing. ~*~
Simply, it's a verb (usually ending in -ing) used as a noun.
Why isn't singing a verb in this sentence? I understand that "we admired" (noun, verb) but why isn't "Choir's singing" the same way? Is it because it's, mmmmmmmmm, possessive, maybe (is that what I am looking for?)? The singing belongs to the choir (so to speak) as seen by the apostrophe 's'?
It has nothing to do with choir being possessive; singing retains certain features of the verb from which it is derived, which might be what is confusing you here. A better example would be The choir is admired for its beautiful singing (although this is a much more awkward sentence).
Gerunds are verb forms ending in -ing that act as nouns. They can be the subject of a sentence (Skiing is her favorite sport), the object of a verb (She enjoys skiing), or the object of a preposition (She devoted her free time to skiing). Gerunds can be modified like nouns (That book makes for difficult reading). But they can also act like verbs in that they can take an object (Convincing him was never easy) and be modified by an adverb (Walking daily can improve your health).
There are no words for how much you rock. Thank you so much. That little definition and example really, helped. I have been wondering this for years, but I never think to ask when I am in a place where I can find out.
You know, I really think deeablo should have entries in her LJ about different grammar rules. Because while I was a rhet major and went through a whole bunch of grammar classes, I cannot remember shit like this for the life of me. And she not only explains it clearly, but makes it make sense. deeablo, do some grammar posts from time to time, okay? Because you're smart and good at this stuff.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2003-07-10 09:56 am (UTC)~*~
Simply, it's a verb (usually ending in -ing) used as a noun.
no subject
Date: 2003-07-10 10:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-07-10 11:35 am (UTC)Gerunds are verb forms ending in -ing that act as nouns. They can be the subject of a sentence (Skiing is her favorite sport), the object of a verb (She enjoys skiing), or the object of a preposition (She devoted her free time to skiing). Gerunds can be modified like nouns (That book makes for difficult reading). But they can also act like verbs in that they can take an object (Convincing him was never easy) and be modified by an adverb (Walking daily can improve your health).
no subject
Date: 2003-07-10 12:03 pm (UTC)Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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Date: 2003-07-10 12:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-07-10 12:36 pm (UTC)