Re: "To run is good exercise"?!

Javi wrote:

> In your example "running is good exercise", the subject "running" is
> also a verb, so I do not really understand what you are about.

"Running" is not a verb. In the sentence "I am running", "running" is
a present participle, not a verb. The verb is "am running". A verb can
be more than one word. That is why "break up" and "break down" or "get
up" and "get down" do not have opposite meanings: the phrasal verbs
have meanings beyond that of their individual parts.

"Running" can also be an adjective as in "running water" or "running
nose". In the case of "Running is good exercise", "running" is not a
verb either but a noun; it is an activity, hobby or passtime.
"Running" can not be a verb on it's own: you can't say "I running"; you
always need the auxiliary "am".

On the other hand, "to run" cannot be a noun. If I say "I have to run"
then "to run" is not a noun: it is not the object of "have" any more
than "run" is the object of "must" in the sentence "I must run". We
usually talk about "run" being the main verb and "must" being the
auxiliary (modal) verb. Why should the sentence "I have to run" be
parsed any differently?

People may argue that "To run is good exercise" is a good sentence but
who would actually SAY it? Does it not sound awkward? Then people
should be taught NOT to say it, or write it for that matter.

Martin

.

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