~ ing

[siruss]

Please compare the three sentences below.

He sat reading a newspaper.
He, reading a newspaper, sat.
Reading a newspaper, he sat.

If there are any differences between them, please tell me.

[Harry Smith]

Please compare the three sentences below.

He sat reading a newspaper.
He, reading a newspaper, sat.
Reading a newspaper, he sat.

If there are any differences between them, please tell me.

No, but I'd use the first variant:He sat reading a newspaper.

[siruss]

No, but I'd use the first variant:He sat reading a newspaper.

First, thank you for your reply.

Second, in my opinion, I understand the three setences this way.

1. He sat reading a newspaper. --> He sat and began to read a newpaper.

2. He, reading a newspaper, sat. --> the same meaning as the first sentence (i'm not sure )

3. Reading a newspaper, he sat.
1) After reading a newspaper, he sat.
2) Before reading a newspaper, he sat.
3) While reading a newspaper, he sat.

1) 2) 3) are all possible.

What do you think?

[Harry Smith]

[quote=siruss;160300]First, thank you for your reply.

Second, in my opinion, I understand the three setences this way.

1. He sat reading a newspaper. --> He sat and began to read a newpaper.

2. He, reading a newspaper, sat. --> the same meaning as the first sentence (i'm not sure )

3. Reading a newspaper, he sat.
1) After reading a newspaper, he sat.
2) Before reading a newspaper, he sat.
3) While reading a newspaper, he sat.

1) 2) 3) are all possible.

What do you think?

He sat reading a newspaper means while reading a newspaper he sat.

[siruss]

[quote=Harry Smith;160303]

First, thank you for your reply.

Second, in my opinion, I understand the three setences this way.

1. He sat reading a newspaper. --> He sat and began to read a newpaper.

2. He, reading a newspaper, sat. --> the same meaning as the first sentence (i'm not sure )

3. Reading a newspaper, he sat.
1) After reading a newspaper, he sat.
2) Before reading a newspaper, he sat.
3) While reading a newspaper, he sat.

1) 2) 3) are all possible.

What do you think?

He sat reading a newspaper means while reading a newspaper he sat.

The first sentence, "He sat reading a newspaper" means " While he is reading a newspaper, he sat." <-- I see. It's clear now.

How about the second and third sentences?
Is there no difference at all?
Isn't the meaning a little ambiguous depending on situations, especially the third sentence?

[Harry Smith]

[quote=siruss;160305]

The first sentence, "He sat reading a newspaper" means " While he is reading a newspaper, he sat." <-- I see. It's clear now.

How about the second and third sentences?
Is there no difference at all?
Isn't the meaning a little ambiguous depending on situations, especially the third sentence?

No, I don't see any difference at all.

[svartnik]

Please compare the three sentences below.

He sat reading a newspaper.
He, reading a newspaper, sat.
Reading a newspaper, he sat.

If there are any differences between them, please tell me.

The modifying clause usually follows the phrase it modifies. However, in case the phrase is very long, it goes to the beginning of a sentence.
'Reading a newspaper' is a gerund phrase modifies the verb 'sat' so it is an adverbial phrase.

"Reading a newspaper, he sat." -- "he sat" is hardly a long clause so there is no need to front the gerund phrase.

"He, reading a newspaper, sat." -- awkward, usually we say "(H)e sat there reading a np."

[siruss]

I thank both of you.
It is a great help to me.
Hope to see you again.

[Harry Smith]

You are welcome!