"Choose" + infinitive/gerund

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TheParser

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***** NOT A TEACHER *****

(1) Recently there has been a very stimulating discussion on the question:

Can the verb "choose" take a gerund?

(2) With one exception, all the posters have been very courteous and

respectful of one another -- as we would expect of people who post on

this website.

(3) I have communicated with a person whose job is to grade examination

papers of English learners. I want to share this information with learners

who may be interested.

(4) As I said previously, all verb lists tell us that "choose" takes only

the infinitive.

(5) That experienced teacher, however, told me that she believes that

the verb "choose" CAN take a gerund -- especially "where the -ing

form is clearly much more noun-like than verb-like."

(a) She kindly gave me these examples:

I try to choose programming that parents feel appropriate... .

The actor chooses supporting parts over leading parts.

What types of families choose homeschooling?

You didn't choose coping with a disability.

If I have to choose between watching TV and working out, I would choose working out.

(4) If you are a learner, you may wish to ask your teacher for guidance on

this issue.

(5) I thank the persons who raised this issue. I have learned a lot.

***** Thank you *****:)
 

Raymott

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(1) Recently there has been a very stimulating discussion on the question:

Can the verb "choose" take a gerund?

(2) With one exception, all the posters have been very courteous and respectful of one another -- as we would expect of people who post on this website.

And almost everyone told you that "choose" can precede an infinitive, even the poster who was less than courteous.

Your point (5) below tends to indicate that you believe it also. Why can we not just decide that it's true?

(4) As I said previously, all verb lists tell us that "choose" takes only the infinitive.
All verb lists tell us this? Could you identify a few such lists?
R.
 

tedtmc

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(2) With one exception, all the posters have been very courteous and respectful of one another -- as we would expect of people who post on this website.

TheParser
What is the motive of your statement?
So you want to tell the world that the poster who disagrees and argues with you was being rude and disrespectful.
 

TheParser

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TheParser
What is the motive of your statement?
So you want to tell the world that the poster who disagrees and argues with you was being rude and disrespectful.

Thank you for your note.

This website is a place for people to discuss language in a

civil manner. As I said, everyone (including you) does so --

except for one person who is consistently rude toward many

posters. There is no excuse for such rudeness and sarcasm.

Thank you.
 

Raymott

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Thank you for your note.

This website is a place for people to discuss language in a

civil manner. As I said, everyone (including you) does so --

except for one person who is consistently rude toward many

posters. There is no excuse for such rudeness and sarcasm.

Thank you.
I'm sorry you feel that way about this poster, TheParser. But we all have different styles, and I think all posters should try to be tolerant of one other.
I'll point out that I have asked you several quite polite questions recently, in an attempt to have you clarify something you've said, and invariably get no reply. If you really cared about getting to the truth of the issues you raise, you could consider putting your grievances aside and answering questions such as the one I posed above.

I believe this thread should be closed.
 

tedtmc

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I have re-read the thread in question and I have not been able to find anything I wrote which would have provoked Parser's strong response. I would like to request the teachers to do me a favour by pointing out those parts which I could have sounded rude and disrespectful as alleged by Parser.

This is the link:
https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/ask-teacher/125330-1-welcome-having-change.html

Thank you.
 
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TheParser

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I have re-read the thread in question and I have not been able to find anything I wrote which would have provoked Parser's strong response. I would like to request the teachers to do me a favour by pointing out those parts which I could have sounded rude and disrespectful as alleged by Parser.

This is the link:
https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/ask-teacher/125330-1-welcome-having-change.html

Thank you.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Hello, Tedtmc.

(1) As I told you previously, I was NOT referring to you.

(2) Your posts have always been business-like and courteous.

(3) I have always learned a lot from your questions and answers.

Thank you.
 

Tdol

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The actor chooses supporting parts over leading parts.

Are these gerunds? They look more like present participles acting as adjectives modifying the noun parts to me:
The actor chooses big parts
The actor chooses leading parts.

On the other topic, apart from the occasional troll or trouble maker, people post here out of interest in language and for pleasure. There are, and always will be, some disagreements and some things that people say may be taken the wrong way but people aren't out to be rude or to belittle people. I am not sure who it is that you feel was being rude, but starting a thread and drawing attention to it isn't really going to do much good except to continue it and make things worse. If you really feel there's something to complain about, then report the post. I skimmed through the thread and it looked like a serious discussion of the topic rather than anything else.
 

TheParser

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The actor chooses supporting parts over leading parts.

Are these gerunds? They look more like present participles acting as adjectives modifying the noun parts to me:
The actor chooses big parts
The actor chooses leading parts.

On the other topic, apart from the occasional troll or trouble maker, people post here out of interest in language and for pleasure. There are, and always will be, some disagreements and some things that people say may be taken the wrong way but people aren't out to be rude or to belittle people. I am not sure who it is that you feel was being rude, but starting a thread and drawing attention to it isn't really going to do much good except to continue it and make things worse. If you really feel there's something to complain about, then report the post. I skimmed through the thread and it looked like a serious discussion of the topic rather than anything else.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Mr. Editor:

(1) Thank you for your comment about participles vs. gerunds.

(2) Thank you for the advice regarding that "other topic." In the future,

I shall simply be more careful as to whose posts I choose to read.

Thank you again.
 

tedtmc

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Hello, Tedtmc.

(1) As I told you previously, I was NOT referring to you.

(2) Your posts have always been business-like and courteous.

(3) I have always learned a lot from your questions and answers.

Thank you.

If this had come as the 2nd post in this thread, I would have believed you.
You know, sometimes courtesy per se can be so superficial.
You're right, I can be blunt.
 
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