Learn English – What part of speech is the word “smiling” in this example

grammar

The present participial (participle) is formed from the verb stem normally by adding -ing to the infinitive with some variation based on the final letters of the stem. Thus to smile becomes smiling. The participle can act as a nonfinite verb, adjective, noun, or as part of an adverb clause. [The Chicago Manual of Style]

Some examples:

Smiling is good for you. – Noun [Gerund]

I love to see your smiling face. – Adjective

Joe ran from Melissa, smiling as he went. – Nonfinite verb [Joe was smiling]

She was grinning, smiling even, as she walked up to the podium. – Participle phrase being used as an adverb

But what about:

I said, "Look at those two smiling over there!"?

Best Answer

I see "smiling" differently in your examples:

  1. Smiling is good for you: verb interpretation preferred (cf. "To smile is good for you"), but noun interpretation can be forced by adjectival premodification, as in "occasional smiling")

  2. I love to see your smiling face: verb pre-modifying the noun “face”.

  3. Joe ran from Melissa, smiling as he went: verb heading the clause "Smiling as he went" as predicative adjunct with "Joe" as predicand.

  4. She was grinning, smiling even as she went …: verb (coordinated), part of present progressive aspect.

And your question: Look at those two smiling over there: verb as head of subordinate clause "smiling over there", modifying the NP "two".

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