PeaceBlondie Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 Native speakers almost automatically say, "We went shopping." Non-native speakers in Thailand are more likely to say, "We went to shopping." I know (because I think I know English) that we didn't go to shopping. When you went shopping, you went to shops, went into some shops, etc. But can I quote an Oxbridge or Ivy League professor of grammar to prove my point? Probably not. So, I guess 'go shopping' is an idiom, a figure of speech, a type of verbal phrase, or the conventional way to express the idea. Or am I mistaken once again? Is it just as right/wrong to go to shopping? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bino Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 Wouldn't "shopping" be a gerund... IE a verb used as a noun to become a thing? Just like saying "We went swimming?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtoad Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 How about "I go a shopping". I think other Native English speakers will also say, "We went to the shops", although doesn't specificaly pertain that you actually undertook any shopping. Oh, <deleted> PB, you've started a good thread here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_hippo Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 PB, it's Boxing Day, can't you wait for the January sales? 'Shopping' can be used as a noun, an adjective or a verb(with or without object). In the phrase 'I went shopping', what part of speech is 'shopping'? It is used here as a noun - 'the act of visiting shops to purchase goods.' Many 'ing' words have the same functions - cycling, swimming, writing, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wangsuda Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 The second post is correct; when using a gerund, the "to" does not get included. Another explanation is that the word "to" is only used with the infinitive form of the verb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loaded Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 (edited) Some verbs can be followed by specific patterns. like, love, prefer, hate etc. can be followed by a gerund (swimming) or 'to' + infinitive (to swim) You may notice these verbs usually state an opinion. When the verb is followed by 'to' + infinitive probably you are being more specific compared to the more general statement using a gerund. Example: I like to swim in the sea; I like swimming let, make etc. can be followed by 'someone/something' + infinitive. Example: Let him sleep encourage, help etc. can be followed by 'someone/something' + 'to' + infinitive. Encourage him to sleep In all the above it's the first verb that must obey normal verb tense rules The above are not phrasal verbs (sit up, look forward to etc.). These have their own rules and exceptions Edited December 26, 2007 by Loaded Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbkudu Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 (edited) I went shopping. I went swimming. I went bowling. I went fishing. ect. I love it when they say: "I play bowling." Well, you can play golf, but you can't play bowling. <deleted>? I can see why English drives some people insane. Edited December 26, 2007 by mbkudu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loaded Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 (edited) I went shopping. I went swimming. I went bowling. I went fishing. ect. I love it when they say: "I play bowling." Well, you can play golf, but you can't play bowling. <deleted>? I can see why English drives some people insane. Collocation old chap PLAY football, tennis, basketball, golf - all have a ball and usually two teams and often a net (Golf the exception) GO bowling, running, swimming, jogging - all are gerunds DO aerobics, tae kwon do, judo - individual sports Edited December 26, 2007 by Loaded Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naam Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 Or am I mistaken once again? Is it just as right/wrong to go to shopping? women go shopping, men buy things they need Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bino Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 women go shopping, men buy things they need Absolutely!! The difference between men and women- He will spend $2 on a $1 item that he needs, whilst she will spend $1 on a $2 item that she doesn't need! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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