Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 0 down vote favorite

The word "prominence" seems like it is being used as a verb in the definition below – am I wrong?

work done by several associates with each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole

This sentence comes from the definition of the word teamwork by Merriam-Webster's online dictionary.

share|improve this question

closed as not a real question by FumbleFingers, MετάEd, Carlo_R., StoneyB, Kris Nov 23 '12 at 11:03

It's difficult to tell what is being asked here. This question is ambiguous, vague, incomplete, overly broad, or rhetorical and cannot be reasonably answered in its current form. For help clarifying this question so that it can be reopened, see the FAQ.

1 Answer

up vote 1 down vote accepted

There, the subject of subordinating is all, and the object is personal prominence. So it is still a noun.

share|improve this answer
1  
Thank you for your explanation. I misunderstood "subordinating" as an adjective. – czh Nov 22 '12 at 1:45

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.