I too have searched for a definitive answer to this question and not found one. My own way of differentiating grammar from usage errors for my English language learners is as follows:
- If the mistake contravenes a generalizable rule for all members of that word class, then it is a grammar mistake. Otherwise it is a usage mistake.
For example:
He live in Frankfurt contravenes the rule that verbs in the 3rd person singular present simple tense require an -s (with the exception of modals), and is hence a grammar mistake.
My grandfather is a very high man is a usage mistake. We can formulate a rule that high applies to mountains not people. But the rule applies to one member of the word class only and hence the mistake is one of usage.
On this basis, these errors are grammar errors:
- I play tennis yesterday.
- Do you have dog?
- I live in Frankfurt since 10 year. (3 errors)
And these are usage errors:
- I always enjoy to sleep late on Sundays.
- What is the reason of your lateness?
- She replied she didn't know the answer.
The issue is of more than purely theoretical importance because learners need to know whether they should consult a grammar book or a good dictionary/usage manual to find out if what they have written is correct.
It is interesting to note that two excellent resources for English language learners both have the word usage in their titles:
Garner's Modern American Usage and Swan's Practical English Usage.
Garner's book exclusively contains what I personally would define as usage issues, while Swan's includes numerous entries on what I would term grammar; including negation, passive, modals, determiners, etc. So it seems that even the experts can't agree on the meaning of the word.
I have never heard the word "pulse" used in this way.
Here is the dictionary definition. It seems the word has many different meanings, but none of them seem to fit. It is usually used to mean a regular or rhythmical beating.
"The will that comes suddenly in you, often creative or reactive" would normally just be an impulse.
Best Answer
Traveling is the present participial of the infinitive verb to travel. Particpials may take the form of a noun (gerund), a verb, an adjective, or an adverb(ial phrase). At its core, it is still a verb. Although somebody on this site is going to disagree, here are a few examples:
Traveling is fun. As the subject, I would call traveling a gerund, and thus, a noun.
Are we traveling to Spain? This example shows traveling as the priciple verb to the auxiliary are.
They are gone, traveling to the moon. [T]raveling to the moon is an adverbial phrase; although traveling in and of itself is a verb.
The traveling circus is coming to town next month. Here, traveling is an adjective modifying circus.
American English spellings.