I'm slightly confused, or maybe overthinking. In your sentence
It is getting drunk, is
it a being that's consuming alcohol and feeling it? Or is it the response to
What's the point of going to a bar? or a similar question?
If it's the first, the equivalent of
Maryn is getting drunk (you buying?), then yes, it's the present progressive verb tense (
is x-ing) of the transitive verb
get, definition 2b (or not 2b?)
here.
I have a mastery of some writerly things, and I'm pleased to say participles and gerunds are among them. (Just don't ask me about plotting, okay?)
A
participle takes the a form of a verb and uses it as an
adjective.
A
present participle uses the
-ing form of a verb as an adjective. (A gerund also uses -ing, hence the confusion.) Examples:
I inhaled the steaming soup’s aroma. The hiding child giggled. The writing students paused. The shouting preacher inspired his flock. She delivered a knowing wink.
A
past participle uses the past tense form of a verb, many ending with
-ed, as an adjective.
We ordered the steamed clams and baked beans. The meeting had a hidden agenda. The soldiers could not hear my shouted instructions but followed the written instructions. Marco Polo explored the known world.
Participial phrases are phrases built around a past or present participle, and they serve as adjectives.
Hemmed in on all sides, the new nation saw no need to form a navy.
Hemming her pink skirt, Sara daydreamed of prom night.
The announcement edged in pink told us it was a girl before it was out of the envelope.
The man edging out the door to smoke could not wait for the official intermission.
When a sentence begins with a participial phrase, the phrase must refer to the sentence’s subject.
Written in ink, the words commanded attention.
not
Written in ink, he read the letter carefully.
Easy-peasy, right? Now on to gerunds.
A
gerund is a verbal identical in form to the present participle but functioning as a
noun. (Translation: It’s the -ing form of the verb.)
Studying is such a bore. (gerund subject)
I don't enjoy studying. (gerund direct object)
He gave studying his best shot. (gerund indirect object)
The hours of studying were wasted. (gerund object of preposition)
We were busy studying. (not a gerund)
Studying his shoe, Tom waited for her to say something. (not a gerund)
A gerund phrase serves as a noun, acting as a subject, a complement, or an object. It is built around a gerund, the –ing form of a verb acting as a noun.
Exercising regularly and sensibly is a key to good health. (gerund phrase subject)
I dislike exercising regularly and sensibly. (gerund phrase direct object)
He devoted each afternoon to exercising regularly and sensibly. (gerund phrase indirect object)
I’ve had it up to here with exercising regularly and sensibly. (gerund phrase as the object of a preposition)
Exercising regularly and sensibly, Tom had less time for books. (not a gerund phrase)
Whew, huh?
Maryn, hoping this helps
