Tips for getting fast and full responses (from me)

Hi,

I am a Brasilian student that does want to learn English correctly. At this moment I am facing a difficult subject at school: The use of Present participle or Gerund. Could you please give some hints on how to differentiate them????

The following sentences, for instance, are they present participle or gerund??? Why???

It took the computer three seconds to solve the equation that has been confusing the mathematicians for several days.

Calming the residents, the firemen assured that the flames would soon be ***.

I would be so grateful if you could send me a quick answer!!!

We prefer to post comments here, so that others may benfit from reading them.' target=_blank>erpetuawizard@hotmail.com"> We prefer to post comments here, so that others may benfit from reading them.

Look at these three simpler examples, and then fill in the blanks below. That way, we can see more clearly what you understand and what you don't understand. OK?

A. Dancing is fun.

B. I saw a burning house.

C. Mary is cooking dinner.

Sentence ____  uses a present participle as part of the main verb structure, ie as part of the tense.

Sentence  ___  uses a gerund.

Sentence ____  uses a present participle as an adjective.  

Best wishes, Clive