since the rioting began

[Maybo]

Nearly 400 people have been arrested since the rioting began.

Source: New rioting across UK cities as arrests multiply by Thomas Mackintosh, BBC

What the difference between "rioting" and "riot"?

 

[jutfrank]

I'm not sure I understand the question. Are you asking about the word 'riot' as a verb or as a noun?

since the rioting began
since the riots began

These two phrases are vaguely equivalent in meaning. The -ing form in the former is a gerund, which means it's more like a noun than a verb.

Gerunds typically denote activity. The word 'rioting' in this context is equivalent to something like 'the activity of engaging in a riot'.

 

[Tarheel]

You left out a verb.

How about if you give your opinion first?

 

[Maybo]

You left out a verb.

How about if you give your opinion first?

They are very similar in meaning.

 

[Maybo]

In the title, it is "New rioting". I feel like it is the same as "New riots".

 

[Tarheel]

They are very similar in meaning.

The word "riot" is singular. However, "rioting" tells me it's more than one.

Ask yourself why would they use a different word to say the same thing.

In the sentence where they use the word "rioting" they are talking about several locations, right?

 

[Tarheel]

In the title, it is "New rioting". I THINK it is the same as "New riots".

The plural (riots) makes sense.

 

[Tarheel]

There was more than one riot. There were several of them.