Can a gerund verb act as an adjective?

[dshaw002]

This is a quick question that I have. We're studying reduced relative clauses, or contact clauses, in class. One activity has students make contact clauses. For example:

The boy smoking is Takeshi.

However, some students made statements like this:

The smoking boy is Takeshi.

I wanted to know if this was ok? Can you use the gerund of a verb to successfuly turn itself into an adjective, or does this only work with certain gerunds (e.g. boring).

Thanks.

[BobK]

This is a quick question that I have. We're studying reduced relative clauses, or contact clauses, in class. One activity has students make contact clauses. For example:

The boy smoking is Takeshi.

However, some students made statements like this:

The smoking boy is Takeshi.

I wanted to know if this was ok? Can you use the gerund of a verb to successfuly turn itself into an adjective, or does this only work with certain gerunds (e.g. boring).

Thanks.

A smoking boy is one who's about to burst into flames!

b

[dshaw002]

Well, how about sleeping boy. Is it ok in this case, and we can treat gerunds on a case by case basis?

For example:

The boy sleeping is Takeshi.

and

The sleeping boy is Takeshi.

Are these both ok?

[konungursvia]

Well, how about sleeping boy. Is it ok in this case, and we can treat gerunds on a case by case basis?

For example:

The boy sleeping is Takeshi.

and

The sleeping boy is Takeshi.

Are these both ok?

Yes, and gerunds can behave as adjectives.

[Raymott]

Well, how about sleeping boy. Is it ok in this case, and we can treat gerunds on a case by case basis?

For example:

The boy sleeping is Takeshi.

and

The sleeping boy is Takeshi.

Are these both ok?

Yes, but this isn't the gerund (which is a noun). You're making these adjectives out of the present participal - which has the same form as the gerund.

'Sleeping' is the present participal here:
The boy (who is) sleeping is Takeshi.
Takeshi is sleeping.
The sleeping boy is Takeshi. (participial adjective).

The following 'sleeping' is a gerund, a noun.
We have to do something about Takeshi's sleeping in class.

[konungursvia]

That's why I like the old gerund/ gerundive distinction.

[BobK]

Well, how about sleeping boy. Is it ok in this case, and we can treat gerunds ['-ing words'?] on a case by case basis?

...

- but 'case by case' can apply to a single word in different contexts:

"A boy who is smoking" but "A smoking gun"

b