Why simple gerunds and complex gerunds are not parallel?

Question

MGMAT says:

When looking at parallel elements in a list, concrete nouns and action nouns cannot be considered parallel. Whereas concrete nouns are specific things (e.g. rock, cup, year, tiger), action nouns refer to actions (the pollution of ..., the rotation of ...). Simple gerunds (typing, tying, eating, giving) are more like concrete nouns, whereas complex gerunds (the typing of ..., the typing of ..., the eating of ..., the giving)

Incorrect: I enjoy giving presents and the giving of food during the holidays.

Here, although "giving presents" and "the giving of food" are both nouns, the first is a concrete noun/simple gerund, while the latter is an action noun/complex gerund. Just reading the sentence, you can tell why this would not be parallel.

Correct: I enjoy the giving of presents and the giving of food during the holidays.
Correct: I enjoy giving presents and giving food during the holidays.
Correct: I enjoy giving presents and food during the holidays.

Note: There is a subtle difference in meaning between the first two correct sentences. The first one implies that he personally enjoys giving things during the holidays. The second implies that he enjoys the fact that presents and food are given.

Also, between the second and third, the third is better because it's more concise.

Hope that helps.

For more on complex gerunds vs simple gerunds vs action nouns vs simple nouns, post your query here. We all will resolve the doubt.

himanshujovi · Answer

Hi Marcab

Thanks for this note. My concern is that after reading the examples which you have mentioned , I could immediately figure out the error and correct sentences. However the explanation given in MGMAT has really confused me. Is there any material available on the forum which can help me with the theory ? For these examples , I went by what is "good to the ear"

PUNEETSCHDV · Answer

Note: There is a subtle difference in meaning between the first two correct sentences. The first one implies that he personally enjoys giving things during the holidays. The second implies that he enjoys the fact that presents and food are given.

I hope by first you mean this one " I enjoy giving presents and giving food during the holidays."

and by second you mean this one " I enjoy the giving of presents and the giving of food during the holidays."

arirux92 · Answer

Hi,
It has everything to do with when is a gerund acting like a verb and when it is acting like a noun.

For it to act like a verb, it has to precede with a verb...

in the case of this example enjoy... giving (verb)

but the second :

the giving of... the/a always follow a noun (no exception)

so the example is comparing a verb and a noun. Hence it is incorrect

VerbalBot · Answer

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Why simple gerunds and complex gerunds are not parallel?

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