Use of gerund in one question

Question

I don't understand the grammar in this question:

Doesn't Denise do enough talking already?

I know gerunds can be used with some verbs, as a subject. But in this sentence, I don't know why a gerund is used or if it can be written in another way.

Answer 1

Let's just use a statement as an example, OK? This isn't about questions.

• Denise does enough talking already.

The do ... talking constitutes a light verb construction, using the pro-verb do, with the actual meaningful verb demoted to a nominal direct object. This works with any active verb

• Then we'll do some swimming, and later some dancing.
• He does his practicing at night, under the bridge.
• They do a lot of shooting up there, but not on Sundays.

The noun object doesn't have to be formed with -ing, though those nouns usually work fine if the verb is active; however, any noun that refers to an activity will work.

• They do a little archery up there, too.
• He does carpentry on the side.

Do (often in the form do it) is the pro-verb for active verbs (this is not the same do as the Do-Support do, which applies to any verb, active or stative), and is often used alone when the activity is already the subject of conversation.

• I know they're mad at him, but what did he do?
• Just go ahead and do it, no matter what he says.

So the do .. NP construction is pretty common, and plenty of active noun phrases are formed from -ing participles. These aren't gerunds, though, because gerunds can have objects and can't have articles.

• *They have done some drinking my whiskey. (ungrammatical with object my whiskey)
• I have already done the writing. (writing is grammatical with article the)