Por + gerund ??

Question

So I've gotten in the habit of writing para + infinitive because I was taught you shouldn't use the gerund unless there's a verb in front of it and its progressive with a linking or state of being verb. For example, "está escribiendo." However, if I wanted to say, "She's a student living in the city," I would write, "Es un estudiante, vivir en la ciudad." I don't even remember exactly why I was taught that, or what the reasoning is behind it. I think it has something t o do with the gerund acting as a noun or adjective instead of an actual verb, so one needs to add a linking verb of some kind. That could be totally wrong, but oh well. It's been a while since I had to explain these things. I usually just write it! If I'm wrong, be gentle.

So I use "para escribir" instead of "para escribiendo." Now, I want to say, "By writing frequently..." I know I need to use por, but does the same rule apply?

When I type "por escribir con frequencia," I get this translation: "for writing with frequency."

When I type "por escribiendo con frequencia," I get the translation I am looking for: "by writing with frequency."

So what's the deal? Would someone please explain this to me? Is this correct?

Thanks

Answer 1

If ever you use a preposition such as por or para, or any preposition, you only use the infinitive afterward.

Take a gander here.

As to your side question about "Es un estudiante, vivir en la ciudad." I do not know why this is the case, although if I were to construct that same sentence I would say "es estudiante que vive en la ciudad." Though there are probably many ways to say it.

Though at the moment I can not recall if being a student qualifies as an occupation, in which the indefinite articles need be omitted, the site's reference page does drop the indefinite article for multiple students.

Answer 2

Firstly it's a present participle not a gerund (sigh). A present participle can be used as an adjective in English (e.g. the person living here is ...) but "gerund" means a verbal form used as a noun (so it's nonsense to speak of a gerund acting as an adjective [or any other part of speech]).

The "gerundio" (the Spanish term which should be translated as "present participle" not "gerund") and be used (in addition to forming progressive tenses, as you mentioned) as an adverb. e.g. Andaba cantando por la calle. (He walked down the street singing.)

For your "She's a student living in the city." you're stuck with "Es una estudiante que vive en la ciudad.".

well, i wish the dictionary wouldnt translate it perfectly, if that isnt how its supposed to be written. >:/ - doowahdiddy, Dec 21, 2010

So do I. - samdie, Dec 22, 2010

Answer 3

Being a student is described as a qualification, you say Es estudiante which means he/she is a student, un is not used here.