Difference between action verb and complex gerund

[rupali.kunmun]

Hi,

Please explain me the difference between an action verb and a complex gerund phrase.

Eg: The release of certain prisoners ---is this a complex gerund or an action verb?

[pranabiitkgp]

Hi Rupali ,
I think You wanted to know the difference between an action Noun and a complex gerund .
Action Noun : are nouns derived from verb
In this case my understanding is the the word release can used both as verb or as noun . Here it is used as noun , so may be this can be called action noun.
But in other situation the action noun actually get derived from verb form.
For example withdrawal is an action noun fron verb withdraw .
gerund phrase : is used as nown derived from verb .
Complex gerund : in and out nown . Example - The releasing of the presure from the nuclear tank is always risky .
Simple gerund : inside verb , outside noun. Example- Releasing the prisonars requires higher taskforce to avoid fighting .[here the phrase is acting as noun and it is simple gerund . But in other context we can use the same phase that will act as verb. Example- I am releasing the prisoners .....]
.
Expert comments please .

Thanks.
PM

[jnelson0612]

There's excellent info about action nouns, simple gerunds, and complex gerunds in this thread: simple-gerund-and-complex-gerund-t8792.html

Please check us out and let us know if you are still confused.