Explain the grammatical functions of the word shopping.
When Alison goes shopping she always puts her shopping in the shopping cart while she's shopping around.
10 answers from our tutors
Best answer
Shopping is a gerund. It’s derived from the verb ‘to shop’, which means to buy or purchase something. It is a noun just like ‘smoking’, ‘swimming’ and the like. It is a noun and it functions either as a subject or an object of the sentence. For example: Shopping is her favorite pastime. ‘Shopping’ in this sentence functions as a subject of the sentence. I don’t enjoy shopping at the weekend. ‘Shopping’ in this sentence functions as the object of the verb ‘enjoy’. ‘Shopping’ could also be a present participle [base form + -ing] when used as part of the verb if it comes after the auxiliary verb ‘be’. For example: I am shopping at the mall now. In a nutshell, shopping could function either as a gerund [subject or object] or a present participle [after the auxiliary ‘be].
- DaniloTeaching English linguistics
The first and the last "shopping" are verbs and the other two are nouns. Verbs and nouns have different functional distributions which makes it easy to set them apart. The verb functions as the head of the verb phrase and the ultimate head of a clause. "Shopping" in "goes shopping" and "shopping around" functions as the head of the respective participial clauses. The other two instances of "shopping" fill different syntactic slots - "shopping" is the direct object in "puts her shopping.." and a noun modifier in the phrase "shopping cart". These are prototypical and easily recognizable syntactic functions of nouns. A quick word on the concept of "gerund" and its supposed role in the English language. The idea of the so-called "gerund" is bound to leave the student baffled about the -ing form and its various uses. Nobody ever has been able to clearly and unequivocaly define "gerund" in English, simply because the whole idea defies basic logic and the hard facts of the English language.
The word "shopping" can function as a noun or a verb in a sentence. As a noun, it can serve as the subject, direct object, indirect object, object pf a preposition, or the complement of a linking verb. As a verb, "shopping" functions as the main verb or, action word, in a sentence. It also functions as a gerund which acts as a noun in a sentence.
Check your English level for free
Take our quick and free test to find out your current level of English
Start test
When Alison goes to buy goods she puts her goods in the cart for said goods while she's browsing.
Its a noun and it’s function is either a subject or an object of a sentence.
It is simply a noun. However, it can be a verb in this example: She is shopping for clothes.
Shopping is more of a noun but depending on how it’s used it can become a verb
- Samer JabbourCertified IELTS and SAT teacher as well as writing specialist
Shopping, in form, looks like a verb, bit it functions as a gerund, a noun , or a main verb in a variety of sentences.
In the first part, shopping is a noun. But in the last part (she's shopping around), it functions as a verb.
The grammatical function of the word shopping is a NOUN.
Other student questions
- What is the most common mistake that you see beginners make when learning English?
It’s very common to make mistakes when you start learning English. What’s the most common mistake (grammatical, speaking, etc) that you have seen with beginner students? How did you correct them?
Best answer
I think beginners of any language translate every word or sentence in their minds. This translation method takes long time to learn any language. They should focus on rather core skills of language; ie. reading, writing, speaking and listening.
- Hey Guys!!!! Does anyone know if it is possible to learn chinese here?
I was thinking to take a little course
Best answer
Not so genius, but this has worked with my Asian and Latino students: Substitute all "Th-" in words with a "D-", as it is an easier starting point e.g. instead of "The", ask them to say De(almost like a form of pidgin english: de boi VS the boy). Its a matter of throat to tongue, where sounds with "T" and "D" are easier to begin with and then you will gradually progress to the "Th-" sounds as the find confindence and comfort. You could always tell them to pretend they are blowing out candles on a birthday cake; and for the "Th" sound their tongue should gently touch their teeth, like in words like "Thin" or "This". Have them practice the not so elated soft "Th" sound-- its like their tongue is having a short siesta on their teeth! Such a mental jounery and lots of creativity will get you through a lot of pronounciation hurdles.
