There are numerous different grammatical constructions and terminologies used in the English language. Let us look into this topic thoroughly with the help of the word “gentle”.
The term “gentle” is used as an adjective or a verb depending on the context, the word choice, or where it appears in a particular statement.
Let us look at this subject in more detail now utilising some information, example phrases, and explanations.
When is “gentle” an adjective?
There are numerous grammatical uses for the word “gentle.” Let us examine one of them.
“Gentle” is considered an adjective when it is used as a qualifier for a noun or when it comes directly before a noun.
Example: The teacher gave her students a gentle explanation on why they must behave themselves.
Explanation: In this instance, the word “gentle” has been used to describe the noun ‘explanation’, therefore it is obvious that it is being employed as an adjective. It is placed immediately before the noun and serves as a qualifier for it. In this context, “gentle” denotes the meaning ‘mild’.
Is “gentle” a descriptive adjective?
A specific subtype of an adjective may provide a better definition for the word “gentle.” Let us go into further detail about that.
“Gentle” is a descriptive adjective since it directly refers to or characterises the condition of the noun it is used before.
Example: He is a pretty gentle cook so there have not been any unfortunate incidents in this kitchen.
Explanation: The word “gentle” can be regarded as an adjective in this context as well because it is used to describe the noun ‘cook’. Given that it comes before the noun, its descriptive function facilitates the noun itself.
When is “gentle” a descriptive adjective?
“Gentle” is a descriptive adjective when it aids in elaborating the state or quality of the noun it is used to describe. “Gentle” in its adjective form means ‘soft’ or ‘mild’.
For a better comprehension of this subject, let us look at a few additional instances of the descriptive adjective “gentle” that have also been discussed on the side.
| Examples | Explanations |
| 1. This soap is quite gentle and has worked wonders for my skin. | Even if the word “gentle” is not used right before the noun in this instance, it still counts as a descriptive adjective because it is being used to characterize a specific noun, which in this case is ‘soap’. Adjectives need not always be placed directly before nouns to be deemed as adjectives. |
| 2. The new product consists of a gentler form of our previous formula and we could not be happier with it. | The term “gentler” in this case has been clearly used as an adjective since it is being put to use as a way of describing the noun ‘form’. The comparative form of the word “gentle” has been used in this particular statement. |
| 3. Mr. Shaw was the gentlest human being I ever had the privilege of knowing. | It is clear that the word “gentlest” is being used as an adjective in this context because it is used to describe the noun ‘human being’. “Gentle” here refers to someone who possesses a quality of ‘mildness’. This particular sentence uses the superlative form of the adjective “gentle”. |
| 4. Cotton is a gentle fabric so you should not have any problems with any of the clothes you make out of it. | Here too, the word “gentle” can be considered as an adjective since it is used as a descriptor of the noun ‘fabric’. It is used directly before the noun and therefore serves a descriptive quality that extends to said noun. |
| 5. That particular perfume has a much gentler fragrance than you would expect it to have. | In this particular statement, the noun ‘fragrance’ has been described with help of the descriptive adjective “gentler”. In this case the said adjective’s comparative form is placed directly before the noun serving its primary function as a descriptive adjective. |
| 6. She has a really gentle personality so you may approach her without hesitation. | Since “gentle” is used to describe the noun ‘personality’ it can also be considered an adjective in this situation. Its descriptive role assists the noun itself because it comes before the noun. |
| 7. Bella, the cat is the gentlest I have ever come across. | In this example, the term “gentlest” is not placed directly before the noun it still qualifies as a descriptive adjective as it is used in reference to describe a particular noun. In this case that noun is ‘Bella, the cat’. Superlative form of the word “gentle” has been used in this sentence. |
Is “gentle” a verb?
In addition to being an adjective, “gentle” can also have different grammatical forms. Let us continue our exploration.
“Gentle” is a verb because it can sometimes be used to convey the performance an action rather than to describe something in a particular situation.
Example: He gentled down the creases on his shirt.
Explanation: The ‘creases on the shirt’ being “gentled” is an action, hence the term is a verb. It refers to ‘toning down’ in this situation and is used in the ‘past tense’.
When is “gentle” a verb?
“Gentle” is a verb when employed as an action word like other verbs. “Gentle” in its verb form means ‘to become softer or milder in action’.
Let us look at some additional explanations and instances of the verb “gentle” in use to get a better understanding of this subject.
| Examples | Explanations |
| 1. His mannerisms have gentled down than before since he came from a rough background. | Once more, the word “gentled” is a verb because it denotes an action rather than a description. The phrase means ‘to mild down’ here and this particular sentence is written in present tense. |
| 2. It was my job to gentle down our family farm-horse since he was not tame at all. | In the given sentence, the word “gentle” indicates a type of action, making it a verb. This sentence is in the past tense. |
| 3. The professor has been making efforts in gentling her tone toward her students as she is aware she may sometimes sound harsh without intending to. | In the statement that was just cited, the term “gentling” serves as a verb because it designates a certain action. Present continuous tense is used in this statement. |
| 4. We all need to gentle our approach toward this project and get into it with a certain calmness rather than extreme ambition to yield better results. | In this context, the word “gentle” clearly qualifies as a verb and means ‘to simmer down’. Present tense of the verb has been used. |
| 5. She has been gentling her son down so that he may start respecting those around him. | The word “gentling” functions as a verb in the quoted sentence since it indicates a type of action. This sentence is in the present continuous tense. |
Conclusion
It can be inferred from this that a word like “gentle” can have a couple ranges of flexible usages in a some grammatical forms, but mostly as a verb and an adjective, and that its meaning as a word (in some cases) may or may not change.
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