Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[lingo]

I am a Japanese English-learner.
Which phrase is correct?

(1) a. a man being bald on the top
b. a man balding on the top

I assume (1b) is correct phrase because (1a) has only temporal meaning.
Grammar book says we can rewrite "the girl painting a picture over there" into "The girl is painting a picture over there". So we can change (1a) into the following.

(2) A man is being bald on the top.

I think (2) is only temporary for the following sentences have different meaning.

(3) a. He is a fool.
b. He is being a fool.

I think (3b) is only temporary state so (1b) is correct. The bald man will never get the bushy hair.

What do you think?

Thank you in advance.

[2006]

1..."a man being bald on the top" is not a good phrase; omit "being". You can say '(The)(A) man is bald on (the) top.'
b) is a good phrase. You can omit "the".

The two "The girl..." 'sentences' are not interchangeable. The first one is just a phrase while the second is a complete sentence.

2..."A man is being bald on the top." is not a good sentence and is not a temporary situation. Again, omit "being".

3...a) suggests he is always a fool. b) says he is a fool now.

[lingo]

Thank you very much.
For you to give me pointed advice