Verbal Noun

[rn5a]

Driving is a dangerous job.

Can someone please explain me how is Driving a verbal noun here? How is Driving which is a verbal form acting as a noun in the above sentence?

Thanks,

Ron

 

[2006]

Driving is a dangerous job.

Can someone please explain to me how is Driving a verbal noun here? It's a verb form that ends with 'ing', and it functions as a noun; therefore it's a verbal noun. "Driving" is the subject of the top sentence on this post.

'Driving is fun.' Again 'Driving' is a noun and is the subject of the sentence.

'I like driving.' Again 'driving' is a verbal noun, but now it is the object of the verb "like".

I like candy. I like driving. (nouns)

Ron

2006

 

[Pedroski]

Verbal nouns can do things that verbs do, whilst functioning as nouns! That is cool!

Driving is a dangerous job.

Driving a tank is a dangerous job. 'Driving' takes an object.

John driving a tank scares me. driving takes a subject and an object.

My driving the car doesn't bother you I hope. driving takes a possessive pronoun and an object.

They never seem to take ordinary pronouns, 'I, you, he/she/it' You can modify them with adverbs or adjectives. They are very tricky customers!

 

[e2e4]

Can I say that a noun coming as a uniform action of a verb is called gerund in English?

Thanks

 

[Rover_KE]

Yes. A gerund is a verbal noun, which has the same form as the verb's present participle, and always* ends in ing.

For example:

'I enjoy singing' (gerund=noun).

'I am singing' (present participle).


* I might regret saying always. There's usually somebody who knows an exception to the rule.

Rover

 

[2006]

Yes. A gerund is a verbal noun, which has the same form as the verb's present participle, and always* ends in ing.

For example:

'I enjoy singing' (gerund=noun).

'I am singing' (present participle). Many people call any "ing" verb that isn't a gerund a present participle.
I prefer to follow those who would classify the above 'participle' as being a present continuous verb.

The other form of the present participle is the adjective, as in 'The singing bird is very popular.'
This link makes it clear that there are three functional forms of "ing" verbs: gerund, present continuous verb, and present participle or adjective.
English Grammar - Present Participles - Learn English

* I might regret saying always. There's usually somebody who knows an exception to the rule. I think you're very safe in saying "always". A gerund not ending in "ing" is 'unimaginable'.


Rover

2006