Present Participle or Gerund

But it was the only way to get out of the closet without the ton of books falling on them both. ******************************************

With reference to the above sentence, I would appreciate it if you would kindly let me know which "falling" is between a present participle and a gerund.

Is it possible to regard "falling" as a gerund and the ton of books as a subject of "falling"?

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Is it possible to regard "falling" as a gerund and the ton of books as a subject of "falling"?

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This is impossible: nouns cannot be subjects of other nouns (a gerund is a noun).

The whole clause ('the ton of books falling on them both'), however, is a noun clause and the object of the preposition 'without'.) That would, I suppose, make 'falling' here a gerund. It more clearly appears so with the more formally styled 'the ton of books' falling...'.
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Originally Posted by Mister Micawber

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This is impossible: nouns cannot be subjects of other nouns (a gerund is a noun).

The whole clause ('the ton of books falling on them both'), however, is a noun clause and the object of the preposition 'without'.) That would, I suppose, make 'falling' here a gerund. It more clearly appears so with the more formally styled 'the ton of books' falling...'.
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I am very grateful to you, Mister Micawber, for your kind reply. It is very helpful to me.