Re: "To run is good exercise"?!


<martinphipps2@xxxxxxxxx> wrote...

> 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?

"Awkward" or "inappropriate"? . "Running" and "to run" can both be
verbal nouns, though of course neither has to be, as in your examples
above. But they don't mean exactly the same thing. "Running", as you
say, is an activity, hobby, or pastime. "To run" is an action,
something one can do. So "To run is good exercise" is, as you say, not
quite right.

A: It would be the quickest way to get there.
B: What would?
A: To run would be the quickest way to get there. (It'd take longer to
drive.)

"Running" wouldn't be wrong here, but it's not so good -- don't you
think it "sounds awkward"?

> Then people
> should be taught NOT to say it, or write it for that matter.

Ideally, people should be taught WHEN to say it, and when not to. (And
why.)

John.


.

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