[Grammar] Participle or Gerund..

[bharosey]

When the 3 friends went for a forest camp, each of them took turns guarding their house at night.

Is "guarding" a participle or a gerund? I believe it is a gerund, but can't say for sure.

Is there any easy way to figure out.

 

[tzfujimino]

Hello, bharosey.:-D
If it were '[...] took turns in guarding [...]', it would be a gerund which is the object of the preposition 'in'.

I'm not a grammarian, and this is all I can say about it.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I would say it is a participle, modifying "turns". If it were a gerund, it would be a noun. Where would another noun fit into that sentence structure?

 

[bharosey]

Hello, bharosey.:-D
If it were '[...] took turns in guarding [...]', it would be a gerund which is the object of the preposition 'in'.

I'm not a grammarian, and this is all I can say about it.

But isn't "in" implied here?

 

[bharosey]

I would say it is a participle, modifying "turns"

But then there is a problem. Because, "turns" were not "guarding their house at night".

 

[tzfujimino]

But isn't "in" implied here?

Hello, bharosey.:-D
Probably, yes, but I wouldn't worry too much about the distinction in this case; I'd just call it an '-ing form'.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Nobody said they were. The modifier describes what kind of turns the sentence is talking about. Imagine the sentence without "guarding the house at night": When the 3 friends went for a forest camp, each of them took turns.

Someone would likely ask "Took turns doing what?" "Turns" needs to be further described.

 

[Rover_KE]

Those still interested can click here to read further opinions.

 

[MikeNewYork]

That is an entirely disappointing discussion, but thanks.

 

[bhaisahab]

I totally agree with the sentiments expressed by entangledbank. Post #6 in that link.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I don't, and I posted my view there. The OP was told the word is a verb, a gerund, a participle, and it doesn't matter. Talk about confusion. :roll: