Difference between a verb and an adjective that looks like a a verb
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How do you tell the difference between a verb and an adjective that looks like a verb?
For example, "he is working." To the best of my understanding, "working" could function as either a verb or an adjective depending on the meaning of the sentence. How can you tell which it is?
grammar
asked Mar 31 at 11:06
AaronAaron
6
add a comment |
How do you tell the difference between a verb and an adjective that looks like a verb?
For example, "he is working." To the best of my understanding, "working" could function as either a verb or an adjective depending on the meaning of the sentence. How can you tell which it is?
grammar
asked Mar 31 at 11:06
AaronAaron
6
In your example, "working" is a present participle used to form the progressive aspect. As far as I'm aware, it cannot function as an adjective. In, for example, "a working clock", it's not an adjective but a verb phrase.
– BillJ
Mar 31 at 15:37
add a comment |
How do you tell the difference between a verb and an adjective that looks like a verb?
For example, "he is working." To the best of my understanding, "working" could function as either a verb or an adjective depending on the meaning of the sentence. How can you tell which it is?
grammar
asked Mar 31 at 11:06
AaronAaron
6
How do you tell the difference between a verb and an adjective that looks like a verb?
For example, "he is working." To the best of my understanding, "working" could function as either a verb or an adjective depending on the meaning of the sentence. How can you tell which it is?
grammar
grammar
asked Mar 31 at 11:06
AaronAaron
6
asked Mar 31 at 11:06
AaronAaron
6
asked Mar 31 at 11:06
AaronAaron
6
asked Mar 31 at 11:06
AaronAaron
6
asked Mar 31 at 11:06
AaronAaron
6
6
In your example, "working" is a present participle used to form the progressive aspect. As far as I'm aware, it cannot function as an adjective. In, for example, "a working clock", it's not an adjective but a verb phrase.
– BillJ
Mar 31 at 15:37
add a comment |
In your example, "working" is a present participle used to form the progressive aspect. As far as I'm aware, it cannot function as an adjective. In, for example, "a working clock", it's not an adjective but a verb phrase.
– BillJ
Mar 31 at 15:37
In your example, "working" is a present participle used to form the progressive aspect. As far as I'm aware, it cannot function as an adjective. In, for example, "a working clock", it's not an adjective but a verb phrase.
– BillJ
Mar 31 at 15:37
In your example, "working" is a present participle used to form the progressive aspect. As far as I'm aware, it cannot function as an adjective. In, for example, "a working clock", it's not an adjective but a verb phrase.
– BillJ
Mar 31 at 15:37
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Working as an adjective modifies a noun, as a verb it does not.
working (verb) - He is working on a new project.
working (noun) - Working is essential for our cognitive function.
working (adjective) - He's a working man who has never been on welfare.
Examples from the web
"...with all men working, there would be so much food that each man would have to work not more than two hours a day."
"Besides this, she was working in one of the dark holes, by electric light."
"Childcare for working mothers."
"There is a good working relationship between the departments."
answered Mar 31 at 12:53
CentaurusCentaurus
38.8k31125247
add a comment |
In your example, "working" is not an adjective - it is a verb tense known as a present participle. If you said, "he is moody", that would be an adjective, because it describes him, where "he is working" says what he is doing, and that it is in the present and ongoing. Other verb tenses would be "he works" (present tense), "he worked" (past tense), and "he will work tomorrow" (future tense).
Sometimes the verb ending in -ing can act as a noun, like "working is good for the soul". This is called a gerund.
answered Mar 31 at 12:01
DJ FarDJ Far
2,589810
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Working as an adjective modifies a noun, as a verb it does not.
working (verb) - He is working on a new project.
working (noun) - Working is essential for our cognitive function.
working (adjective) - He's a working man who has never been on welfare.
Examples from the web
"...with all men working, there would be so much food that each man would have to work not more than two hours a day."
"Besides this, she was working in one of the dark holes, by electric light."
"Childcare for working mothers."
"There is a good working relationship between the departments."
answered Mar 31 at 12:53
CentaurusCentaurus
38.8k31125247
add a comment |
Working as an adjective modifies a noun, as a verb it does not.
working (verb) - He is working on a new project.
working (noun) - Working is essential for our cognitive function.
working (adjective) - He's a working man who has never been on welfare.
Examples from the web
"...with all men working, there would be so much food that each man would have to work not more than two hours a day."
"Besides this, she was working in one of the dark holes, by electric light."
"Childcare for working mothers."
"There is a good working relationship between the departments."
answered Mar 31 at 12:53
CentaurusCentaurus
38.8k31125247
add a comment |
Working as an adjective modifies a noun, as a verb it does not.
working (verb) - He is working on a new project.
working (noun) - Working is essential for our cognitive function.
working (adjective) - He's a working man who has never been on welfare.
Examples from the web
"...with all men working, there would be so much food that each man would have to work not more than two hours a day."
"Besides this, she was working in one of the dark holes, by electric light."
"Childcare for working mothers."
"There is a good working relationship between the departments."
answered Mar 31 at 12:53
CentaurusCentaurus
38.8k31125247
Working as an adjective modifies a noun, as a verb it does not.
working (verb) - He is working on a new project.
working (noun) - Working is essential for our cognitive function.
working (adjective) - He's a working man who has never been on welfare.
Examples from the web
"...with all men working, there would be so much food that each man would have to work not more than two hours a day."
"Besides this, she was working in one of the dark holes, by electric light."
"Childcare for working mothers."
"There is a good working relationship between the departments."
answered Mar 31 at 12:53
CentaurusCentaurus
38.8k31125247
answered Mar 31 at 12:53
CentaurusCentaurus
38.8k31125247
answered Mar 31 at 12:53
CentaurusCentaurus
38.8k31125247
answered Mar 31 at 12:53
CentaurusCentaurus
38.8k31125247
38.8k31125247
add a comment |
add a comment |
In your example, "working" is not an adjective - it is a verb tense known as a present participle. If you said, "he is moody", that would be an adjective, because it describes him, where "he is working" says what he is doing, and that it is in the present and ongoing. Other verb tenses would be "he works" (present tense), "he worked" (past tense), and "he will work tomorrow" (future tense).
Sometimes the verb ending in -ing can act as a noun, like "working is good for the soul". This is called a gerund.
answered Mar 31 at 12:01
DJ FarDJ Far
2,589810
add a comment |
In your example, "working" is not an adjective - it is a verb tense known as a present participle. If you said, "he is moody", that would be an adjective, because it describes him, where "he is working" says what he is doing, and that it is in the present and ongoing. Other verb tenses would be "he works" (present tense), "he worked" (past tense), and "he will work tomorrow" (future tense).
Sometimes the verb ending in -ing can act as a noun, like "working is good for the soul". This is called a gerund.
answered Mar 31 at 12:01
DJ FarDJ Far
2,589810
add a comment |
In your example, "working" is not an adjective - it is a verb tense known as a present participle. If you said, "he is moody", that would be an adjective, because it describes him, where "he is working" says what he is doing, and that it is in the present and ongoing. Other verb tenses would be "he works" (present tense), "he worked" (past tense), and "he will work tomorrow" (future tense).
Sometimes the verb ending in -ing can act as a noun, like "working is good for the soul". This is called a gerund.
answered Mar 31 at 12:01
DJ FarDJ Far
2,589810
In your example, "working" is not an adjective - it is a verb tense known as a present participle. If you said, "he is moody", that would be an adjective, because it describes him, where "he is working" says what he is doing, and that it is in the present and ongoing. Other verb tenses would be "he works" (present tense), "he worked" (past tense), and "he will work tomorrow" (future tense).
Sometimes the verb ending in -ing can act as a noun, like "working is good for the soul". This is called a gerund.
answered Mar 31 at 12:01
DJ FarDJ Far
2,589810
answered Mar 31 at 12:01
DJ FarDJ Far
2,589810
answered Mar 31 at 12:01
DJ FarDJ Far
2,589810
answered Mar 31 at 12:01
DJ FarDJ Far
2,589810
2,589810
add a comment |
add a comment |
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In your example, "working" is a present participle used to form the progressive aspect. As far as I'm aware, it cannot function as an adjective. In, for example, "a working clock", it's not an adjective but a verb phrase.
– BillJ
Mar 31 at 15:37