Gerund

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maj

#18440 Wed, 07 Jan 04 10:14 AM

I have seen some state verbs used in the continuous form:

"I am loving it."

Could you say "He is needing you"?

maj

Joined on Mon, Mar 31 2003

Senior Member (4,756)

Verbs

enkatesu

#18606 Fri, 09 Jan 04 03:09 AM

BTW, "loving" and "needing" in your sentences are gerunds(nouns).

Yes, you can use progressive. But they convey more meaning than do the normal stative verbs.

enkatesu

Joined on Fri, Jan 9 2004

India

New Member (22)

Gerunds, Nouns, Stative verbs, Verbs

pedant

#18760 Sat, 10 Jan 04 06:39 AM

Enkatesu should really stop giving advice. "Loving" and "needing" in your examples are not gerunds, but present participles. "I am loving it" is common, but "He is needing you" is awkward. "He needs you" is better.

FYI, "loving" and "needing" can be gerunds, but only when they are used as nouns: "Give me some loving." "Your needing a drink is not my problem."

pedant