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For instance: One can attend an «auction», or you can «auction» something off.
asked May 11, 2020 at 8:46
1
Such words are called Gerund’s. Gerund is a non-finite verb form used to make a verb phrase that can serve in place of a noun phrase.
A gerund is an instance when a verb is being used in a very particular way – as a noun!
You do this by changing the infinitive form of the verb, and adding “ing” at the end.
Examples
«I enjoy writing – it’s my favourite hobby.”
answered May 11, 2020 at 10:27
1
LANGUAGE ARTS — Languages
Have You Ever Wondered…
- Can a word be both a noun and a verb?
- What’s the difference between nouns and verbs?
- Can you create your own funny sentences using the same word as a noun and a verb?
Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Celina. Celina Wonders, “Why a word can be verb and noun?” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Celina!
Ready for some grammar? What was that? Did we hear a groan from someone out there?
Okay, we know grammar isn’t always the most exciting and fun subject during the school day — recess and lunch take those spots! — but it CAN be fun to play with words from time to time.
When you begin to learn grammar, you probably start with two of the most common parts of speech: nouns and verbs. Getting the hang of the difference between these two parts of speech puts you on the right track to becoming a good writer.
Nouns name things. Many times, you will hear people define nouns as persons, places, or things. But they can also name feelings, ideas, and acts.
Need an example? We just gave you one! Example is a noun. Some of our other favorite nouns are badger, Abraham Lincoln, vampire, Antarctica, couscous, love, indigestion, liberty and painting.
A noun that names one thing is singular. A name that names more than one thing is plural. For more information on singular and plural nouns, all you need to do is ask a moose.
Verbs describe action. We use verbs in sentences to describe what the nouns do. Monkeys peel bananas. Monkeys eat bananas. Monkeys love bananas. Peel, eat and love are all verbs in these sentences.
Hold on! Just a second. Not so fast. Just a couple of paragraphs ago, we said that love was a noun. Then we said love was a verb. Which is it?
Believe it or not, it’s both! Yes, it’s true. A word can be both a noun and a verb. In fact, there are many words that can be used to name a person, place, or thing and also describe an action.
For example, if you’re going fishing, you’ll need bait. Once you find an earthworm, you can use it to bait your hook. If it’s hot while you’re fishing, you might get thirsty for a drink. If you brought drinks in a cooler with you, you can drink the drink that you brought!
There are many, many more examples of words that can be both nouns and verbs. Here are a few that you’re probably familiar with:
- bowl
- exit
- fly
- park
- ship
Standards:
CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.4, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.W.3, CCRA.W.4, CCRA.L.1, CCRA.L.2, CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.4, CCRA.L.5
Wonder What’s Next?
This Wonder of the Day is sure to SPORK your curiosity!
Try It Out
The examples above are just a few of the hundreds of words that can be both nouns and verbs. What others can you think of?
Put on your imagination hats and think of as many words as you can that can be both nouns and verbs. Then write some funny sentences using some of these words in both ways. See if you can make it into a story!
Find a newspaper or magazine article. Underline the nouns and circle the verbs. Review the words you marked and see if any were used as both a noun and a verb.
Explain to an adult or a friend about words that can be used as both nouns and verbs. See if they can come up with sentences of their own.
If you don’t mind, share some of your creative sentences with your Wonder Friends by posting them to Facebook. We can’t wait to read what you come up with!
Did you get it?
Test your knowledge
Wonder Contributors
We’d like to thank:
paris
for contributing questions about today’s Wonder topic!
Keep WONDERing with us!
What are you wondering?
Related Wonders for You to Explore
Can a verb also be a noun? The short answer is: yes.
As we know a noun is a word that names things, such as persons, places and things, as well as feelings, ideas and acts. We also know that verbs are action words. We use verbs to describe what nouns do. So how can a verb also be a noun.
Let’s take a look at an example:
The word: play.
I like to play in the park with my friends.
Play is a verb in this sentence.
We’re going to see a play tonight at the theater.
Play is a noun in this sentence.
There are lots of words that can be both a noun and a verb. Here are some:
- Bait
- Love
- Peel
- Bowl
- Exit
- Fly
- Park
- Ship
We’ve created some worksheets in our grade 3 grammar section for students to practice writing sentences with words that are both nouns and verbs.
For further practice, we also have worksheets on identifying nouns, verbs and adjectives in sentences.
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