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11 Jul 2016, 20:29
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Hi,
my question is about gerunds, I don't quite understand the differences between the sentences below:
Suspect: I like Mike swimming
Right: Mike swimming is a sight to be hold.
Why " Mike swimming" in the first sentence is suspect, while in the second one is right?
Thanks.
my question is about gerunds, I don't quite understand the differences between the sentences below:
Suspect: I like Mike swimming
Right: Mike swimming is a sight to be hold.
Why " Mike swimming" in the first sentence is suspect, while in the second one is right?
Thanks.
12 Jul 2016, 13:54
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sleepwalker1914
Dear sleepwalker1914,
My friend, when you quote a book, always, always, always give the reference: the name of the book and the page number. It took a little research to determine that this comes from the MGMAT Sentence Correction book, p. 204 in the 6th edition. Among other things, context is important.
I think you missed the line directly above these sentences: "Before applying this rule, make sure that the -ing form does indeed function as a noun rather than as a noun-modifier. Sometimes either interpretation is possible." That's the issue.
Neither sentence you quoted involved a gerund: both involve participles. This is a tricky thing about the -ing form of a verb. In general, the structure [noun][noun] is not common and usually not correct. If "swimming" were a gerund, then the noun "Mike" + the gerund would result in this awkward double noun form. The word "swimming" has to be acting as a noun-modifier, that is, as a participle.
Mike swimming = [noun] + [participle]
Mike's swimming = [possessive] + [gerund]
In the first, "Mike" is the noun, the focus, and "swimming" simply modifies. In the second, "swimming" takes the role of the noun: this is the focus, and "Mike's" is simply modifying.
The first sentence, "I like Mike swimming" is suspect because it implies nobody likes Mike except when he's swimming.
Then look at what they say in the MGMAT book for the last two:
Right: Mike swimming is a sight to be hold. (Mike himself can be the sight)
Right: Mike's swimming is a sight to be hold. (The swimming can be the sight)
In the first of those two, "Mike" is the noun, the focus, and so the sentence implies that Mike is the sight. This is correct.
In the second, "swimming" is the subject, the focus, and so the sentence implies that the swimming is the sight. This is correct.
My friend, context is everything. Always be diligent in citing the exact source, because it may well be the case that experts will notice more connections on the page than you do. Does all this make sense?
the non-swimming Mike
17 Jul 2016, 02:07
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Dear Mike,
I am really sorry for the inconvenience. I will post the original source next time. Thank you for your answer. It's clear and helps a lot.
I am really sorry for the inconvenience. I will post the original source next time. Thank you for your answer. It's clear and helps a lot.
