A question is causing arguments.

[hoangkha]

Dear teachers!
I have another question.
- He Went Out ____ .
A.smoked
B.for smoking
C.smoking
D.to smoke
Some people chose D. Some others chose C&D. Others chose B&C&D.
So which is correct,please?
Best regards!

 

[Tdol]

D- this means that the person went outside in order to smoke.
C- this means that the person was smoking while leaving- they had started smoking before they left. It's a possible sentence, but not natural.
B- :cross:

I imagine the answer the test is looking for is D.

 

[hoangkha]

D- this means that the person went outside in order to smoke.
C- this means that the person was smoking while leaving- they had started smoking before they left. It's a possible sentence, but not natural.
B- :cross:

I imagine the answer the test is looking for is D.

Dear Mr/Ms.Tdol!
Thank you very much.
But I think
- He went out to smoke = He went out for a smoke = He went out for smoking (smoking is a noun, not a gerund)

Is what I think correct?
Best regards!

 

[bhaisahab]

Dear Mr/Ms.Tdol!
Thank you very much.
But I think
- He went out to smoke = He went out for a smoke = He went out for smoking (smoking is a noun, not a gerund)

Is what I think correct?
Best regards!

A gerund is a verbal noun. What you are suggesting is nonsense, "He went out for smoking" is an incorrect sentence".

 

[hoangkha]

A gerund is a verbal noun. What you are suggesting is nonsense, "He went out for smoking" is an incorrect sentence".

Dear Ms.bhaisahab!
Thanks for your feedback!

- He went out for smoking (smoking is a noun, not a gerund)
According to OALD
smoking [uncountable]
the activity or habit of smoking cigarettes, etc
No Smoking (= for example, on a notice)
Would you like smoking or non-smoking? (= for example, in a restaurant)
Smoking is not allowed in this theatre.
He's trying to give up smoking.

Best regards!

 

[Tdol]

He went out to smoke. :tick:
He went out for a cigarette/smoke. :tick:
He went out for smoking. :cross:

 

[hoangkha]

He went out to smoke. :tick:
He went out for a cigarette/smoke. :tick:
He went out for smoking. :cross:

Dear Mr/Ms.Tdol!
Thank you.
I think maybe the third isn't often used but it is grammatically correct. (For + Noun to show purpose)
Best regards!

 

[Raymott]

Dear Mr/Ms.Tdol!
Thank you.
I think maybe the third isn't often used but it is grammatically correct. (For + Noun to show purpose)
Best regards!

That's true. They could all be grammatical.
A. "A fish came into the factory fresh. He went out smoked."
But that's not the expected answer.

 

[hoangkha]

That's true. They could all be grammatical.
A. "A fish came into the factory fresh. He went out smoked."
But that's not the expected answer.

Dear Mr.Raymott!
Thanks your feedback.
Best regards!

Take a look at the test again.
- He Went Out ____ .
A.smoked
B.for smoking
C.smoking
D.to smoke
There are three correct answers,except A, to this test so it is definitely a bad one.

 

[bhaisahab]

Dear Mr.Raymott!
Thanks your feedback.
Best regards!

Take a look at the test again.
- He Went Out ____ .
A.smoked
B.for smoking
C.smoking
D.to smoke
There are three correct answers,except A, to this test so it is definitely a bad one.

The only correct answer in English as it is used by native speakers is D. "to smoke".

 

[Tdol]

Dear Mr/Ms.Tdol!
Thank you.
I think maybe the third isn't often used but it is grammatically correct. (For + Noun to show purpose)
Best regards!

Not here it isn't.

 

[emsr2d2]

Dear Mr.Raymott!
Thanks your feedback.
Best regards!

Take a look at the test again.
- He Went Out ____ .
A.smoked
B.for smoking
C.smoking
D.to smoke
There are three correct answers,except A, to this test so it is definitely a bad one.

B is not possible as we've said. D is the obvious answer and C would be possible but a very unlikely scenario.

 

[hoangkha]

The only correct answer in English as it is used by native speakers is D. "to smoke".

I get it now.
Thanks for Ms.bhaisahab's and other teachers' enlightening me.
But I am wondering what is the difference between for smoking & for a smoke.

Dear teachers!
I am learning E so certainly I can't avoid mistakes. Therefore, I expect all of you won't get annoyed about my occasional silly questions. I really need your help. I hope all of you will be willing.
Best regards!

 

[5jj]

But I am wondering what is the difference between for smoking & for a smoke.

The simple difference is that 'for a smoke' is correct, and 'for smoking' is not.

Although a gerund has many noun-like characteristics, it is not a noun. There are many situations in which a noun is appropriate and a gerund is not, and vice versa.

 

[emsr2d2]

In the same way:

I have gone out for swimming = incorrect.
I am in trouble for swimming = correct.

I am going to the pub for drinking = incorrect.
I am going to the pub for a drink = correct.
I am going to the pub for a drinking competition = correct.

He has gone to bed for napping = incorrect.
He has gone to bed for a nap = correct.
He likes napping = correct.