By Direct objects, Gerunds

I have to identify the verbal phrases (and verbals) and for participles determine whether they are present, past, or irregular.For gerunds whether they are subjects, direct objects, predicate nominatives, or objects of prepositions. And finally for infinitives determine whether they are nouns,...

The list isn't meant to be exhaustive or carefully arranged. Any additions, corrections or further examples would be welcomed. 1 main verbs; lexical verbs (all verbs which are not auxiliaries or modals) 2 action verbs; event verbs; dynamic verbs (a verb which can be used in...

.There must be some way to alert non-native speakers that native teachers of English and trained ESLs generally know what they are talking about.Did you read this thread, Anon? Do we really have to waste our energies repeating ourselves over and over?Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. Sometimes I...

Anonymous wrote:1. He began closing the door. Is "began" an auxiliary verb in the sentence? And, what about "closing"? Is it a participle modifying "he," a gerund functioning as the direct object, or the main verb?Began is the finite verb or the main verb and closing is its object.CBEDIT:...

This sentence sounds a bit strange to me maybe it is because of the word "began". Anyway, y try: Is "began" an auxiliary verb in the sentence? No. It is called predicator. It is the verb of the sentence. And, what about "closing"? Is it a participle modifying "he," a gerund functioning as...

Began? Closing? 1. He began closing the door. Is "began" an auxiliary verb in the sentence? And, what about "closing"? Is it a participle modifying "he," a gerund functioning as the direct object, or the main verb? Thank you very much.

fishing is not a direct object, no. The verb go is not transitive; it can't have a direct object. fishing is an adverbial gerund. It acts like home in I went home. It specifies the destination or goal of the going. CJ

In the sentence, "I went fishing." is fishing a gerund, direct object.

Hi, This really troubles me. Please refer to the sentences. 1) I like eating ice cream. 2) I like to eat ice cream. Some of the web sites that I have been to suggest no difference in meaning, however I was told that using a gerund as the direct object of the verb 'like' denotes a habitual...