[Grammar] Instead of + Ving or Base verb?

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englishteacher79

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Which is the correct sentence:

"These days, teenagers play computer games during their free time instead of go outside to do sports."

"These days, teenagers play computer games during their free time instead of going outside to do sports."

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bhaisahab

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The second one.
 

MikeNewYork

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"Going" is a verbal called a gerund. It functions as a noun rather than a verb. It can therefore be the object of the preposition "of". As a derivative of a verb, a gerund can also be modified by an adverb (outside) and take a direct object (to do sports). "To do sports" is an infinitive phrase (infinitives are also verbals and can take direct objects -- in this case "sports").
 

Matthew Wai

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... take a direct object (to do sports).
The verb 'go' is intransitive, so how can the gerund 'going' take a direct object? Should 'to do sports' be adverbial?

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MikeNewYork

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MikeNewYork

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I would say "go" is transitive in "go fishing". What else could it be?
 

MikeNewYork

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You can see an example in the link I posted in post 6.
 

MikeNewYork

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Dictionaries have been known to disagree, but they can't dispute the usage.

I go skiing.
I go hunting.
I go fishing.
I go birdwatching.
I go swimming.

etc.
 
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