Question

Compare the words in italics in the following sentences. Can we say that the same form expresses the same meaning? Do they belong to the same or different parts of sentence? 1) I'm reading a book. 2) Reading in my favourite hobby. 3) The girl reading a book is my sister. 4) My brother hates reading. 5) After reading the note he made a phone call.

Answer 1

The words "reading" in the sentences 1, 2, and 5 belong to the same form, but they express different meanings and belong to different parts of the sentence.

In sentence 1, "reading" is a verb in the present continuous tense, expressing an action that is happening at the moment of speaking. In sentence 2, "reading" is a gerund, functioning as the subject of the sentence. In sentence 5, "reading" is also a gerund, functioning as the object of the preposition "after."

In sentence 3, the word "reading" is a present participle, functioning as an adjective to describe the girl. In sentence 4, "reading" is a gerund, functioning as the object of the verb "hates."

So, while the same form "reading" is used in these sentences, it expresses different meanings and belongs to different parts of the sentence.