Noun Equivalent

Noun Equivalents & The -ing Masterclass

Noun Equivalents

Mastering words that “act” like nouns in English Grammar

Concepts

1. The Adjective as a Plural Noun

When you use “The + Adjective”, it transforms into a plural noun representing a whole group.

🚨 CRITICAL RULE: Never add an ‘s’ to the adjective!
The poors ➜ ✅ The poor
Subject: The Meek विनम्र / दबे-कुचले लोग

Sentence: The meek shall inherit the earth.

Subject: The Homeless बेघर लोग

Sentence: The homeless are sleeping in shelters.

Verbal Nouns

2. Gerunds (Verb + ing)

A Gerund is a verb form that functions as a noun.

Usage Position Example Sentence Hindi Meaning
As Subject Dancing is her passion. नाचना उसका जुनून है।
As Object He quit smoking last year. उसने धूम्रपान छोड़ दिया।
After Preposition She is afraid of flying. उसे हवाई यात्रा से डर लगता है।
As Complement Seeing is believing. देखना ही विश्वास करना है।

The -ing Confusion

Gerunds (Noun) vs. Present Participles (Adjective)

1. The Gerund (Noun)

A “Noun in disguise.” It names an activity as a concept or thing. Answers “What?”

Subject: “Smoking is injurious.” (Names the activity)
Object: “I enjoy swimming.” (What do you enjoy?)
Prep Object: “Afraid of flying.” (Follows ‘of’)

2. The Participle (Adj)

An “Adjective in disguise.” It describes a state or ongoing action. Answers “What kind?”

Adjective: “The crying baby.” (Describes the baby)
Continuous: “The baby is crying.” (Action in progress)
Action: “I saw him running.” (Shows the state of ‘him’)

💡 The “Acid Test”

Try replacing the -ing word with a simple noun like “Coffee”:

  • ✅ “I like swimming“ → “I like coffee“ (Works = Gerund)
  • ❌ “The crying baby” → “The coffee baby” (Fails = Participle)
Feature Gerund Participle
Role Noun Adjective / Verb
Question “What?” “What kind?” / “Doing what?”
To + V1

3. Infinitives (To + V1)

An Infinitive acts as a noun when it represents an action as a concept or a “thing”. It can appear in several positions:

As a Subject:
To swim is a great exercise.

Answers: “What?”

As an Object of a Verb:
She loves to sing.

Answers: “What?”

As a Subject Complement:
My goal is to succeed.

Answers: “What?”

After “Too” or “Enough”:
It is difficult to understand.

Answers: “What is difficult?”

For Purpose/Obligation: To respect our elders is our duty.

Answers: “What?”

Triple Threat Infinitives

Infinitives act as Noun, Adjective or Adverb.

1. As a NOUN

Names a concept. Answers: “What?”

“To travel is my dream.”

2. As an ADJECTIVE

Describes a noun. Answers: “Which kind?”

“I need a book to read.”

3. As an ADVERB

Explains reason. Answers: “Why?”

“He practiced to improve.”

💡 Exam Cheat Sheet (CTET/Competitive)

  • The “In Order To” Test: If you can add “in order to”, it’s an Adverb.
  • The Placement Rule: At the start as a main topic? It’s a Noun.
  • The Noun Follower: Sitting right behind a noun? It’s an Adjective.
In-Depth

4. Noun Clauses: The Powerhouse

A group of words containing a subject and verb that functions as a single noun.

Often starts with
that, what, why, where or how.
A. As a Subject: What she said surprised everyone.

Answers: “What?”surprised me.

B. As an Object: I don’t know where he has gone.

Answers: I don’t know “What?”

C. As a Complement: The truth is that he lied.

Answers: The truth is “What?”

💡 Exam Cheat Sheet

  • The “Something / It” Replacement Test: Replace the entire clause with “Something” or “it”,if the sentence still makes sense grammatically, it’s a Noun Clause.
  • Example : [What she said] surprised everyone. Test: Something surprised everyone. (✅ Works = Noun Clause)
Strategy

5. How to Identify Noun Equivalents

❓

Step 1: The “What/Who” Question

Nouns always answer “What?” or “Who?”.

• Swimming is fun. ➜ What is fun?

🔄

Step 2: The “It/They” Replacement

Try replacing the phrase with “It” or “They”.

• To travel is my dream. ➜ It is my dream. ✅

Practice Zone

6. 10 Solved Examples

1. The brave are rewarded.
Collective adjective as plural noun.
2. Smoking is injurious.
Gerund acting as the subject.
3. To err is human.
Infinitive acting as a noun subject.
4. I believe that honesty is best.
Noun Clause acting as the object.
5. The rich should help.
Adjective functioning as plural noun.
6. Whether he will come is still uncertain.
Noun Clause acting as the subject.
7. Riches have wings.
Plural noun meaning wealth.
8. He enjoys swimming.
Gerund acting as the object.
9. How he solved the puzzle amazed everyone.
Noun Clause acting as the subject.
10. The blind use Braille.
Collective plural noun.

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