Gerund vs Present Participle

[cornflakegirl]

I'll let you know if there are any strong counter-arguments from the other side, but I think I'm convinced. Thanks for the education Rory (is there anything you don't know?) - and Lewiy, thank you for the diversion!

 

[RoryA]

I don't know half the stuff I should know, and I know a lot of stuff that's of no use to anyone! Everything in between, I just state as fact and see what happens... (that's my philosophy training)

 

[cornflakegirl]

Yeah, I find that works quite well too

(Are you really a philosopher? I switched to philosophy in my final year at uni, after they gently suggested maths wasn't the subject for me, and I loved it. Although trying to argue against positions that I "knew" were wrong, but couldn't work out why, did my head in!)

 

[RoryA]

Yep - that's what my degree is in. Not worth the paper it's printed on, as you would expect!

 

[Lewiy]

Although trying to argue against positions that I "knew" were wrong, but couldn't work out why, did my head in!)

But it can be fun trying sometimes....and rewarding when you manage to convince someone!! Have you seen the film Thank You For Smoking? If not, I highly recommend it to anyone interested in those kinds of arguments....taught me a thing or two!!

I'm a mathematician myself so I never had to argue anything at school really.....just have to enjoy what I can from "intellectual" conversation.

And thanks to both of you for your input here. At least I can sleep soundly tonight knowing that the original question was genuinely quite a tricky one and worth discussing.....nothing worse than getting yourself into these kinds of situations only to discover that you were just simply wrong!!!

 

[Joe4]

Its discussions like these that remind me why I majored in Mathematics and not English!

 

[cornflakegirl]

But it can be fun trying sometimes....and rewarding when you manage to convince someone!!

I was 20, had only a few months of formal philosophy training, and was arguing with PhD students and lecturers who had heard the material dozens of times before. Not surprisingly, I didn't convince anyone.

 

[cornflakegirl]

Its discussions like these that remind me why I majored in Mathematics and not English!

Joe - it's grammar - it practically is mathematics!

 

[Joe4]

Joe - it's grammar - it practically is mathematics!

Then I'd love to see the formulas!

The English language has so many rule exceptions, its maddening!

 

[DonkeyOte]

Another reason I love Mr Excel.

I used to think I was weird...

I had never even heard of a Gerund... sounds something more suited to "Time Team" and archaeology to me... but I'm an Essex boy so I know little of nothing.