Dear MikeNewYork

Originally Posted by I

Episode XIX – Brian hugging Michael in the street. ~~ Ahhh, by far and away one of my favorite endings. What really interests me (aside from how poignant it was), is the name of the group who does the song during this scene. It couldn't have been more perfect (Badly Drawn Boy), especially given the fact that Brian had actually been drawn at that point (by Justin).



3. Is it participle phrase or gerund phrase?

4. Is it the same case as "Michael and David disagree about Michael puttting up his posters"?

Originally Posted by you

3. In my opinion, it is neither, although "hugging" is a participle. It is part of a progressive verb form [to be + present participle]. If one changed it to "Brian hugging Michael was a strange sight", then "hugging Michael" would be a participial phrase modifying "Brian".

4. No.

1. So "Brian hugging Michael in the street" in the article above is the same case as the sentence "Brian setting up Ethan" and "Gale fucking like beast in the beginning", right??


2.So"Brian setting up Ethan" and "Gale fucking like beast in the beginning" are part of a progressive verb form [to be + present participle] as "Brian hugging Michael in the street", right??

Brian setting up Ethan: another great bit of filmmaking, played beautifully, in the middle of a not-good episode. Brian's careful timing, pulling out his business card right after Justin walks in, giving Ethan just enough time to realize . . . followed by that Brian smug smile of nasty satisfaction. Good stuff from Fab, here, too, as he realizes what's happened. And his run for the exit - as in, "let me get away from these two crazy people!" - is darkly funny.

...But it was a great show. Gale fucking like beast in the beginning. The Canadian party (Emmett in plaid should be made criminal!). Dr. Dave's possessiveness really came out finally (I mean, really, change flight arrangments without even a "mother, may I"? Bad manners, Dr., very bad manners). The prom scene was very sweet (although a bit sugary for my tastes).

3.So "Brian hugging Michael was a strange sight" is the same case as "Michael and David disagree about Michael puttting up his posters"??

4.So "Brian hugging Michael was a strange sight" has same meaning as "Brian's hugging Michael was a strange sight" but the first is participle-adj but the second is gerund, is this right??

5.From the question no.4, which sentence do you prefer??

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by wendy

It is very close. I would call "hugging" a participle there. It is a little different because titles/scenes/etc. are often written in non-sentence form. It is similar to headline English.

President to visit Russia.

Not a complete sentence, but it saves space.

Not exactly the same. Your other examples were part of sentences. The secene title is a bit of shorthand.

Yes. Both participles, modifying nouns.

Yes. By George, you've got it! :D

5.From the question no.4, which sentence do you prefer??

I don't have a strong preference, but I would probably go with the first in this case. :wink: