use of present participle VS past participle as an adjective

Question

Hi everyone in EnglishForward!Would you please explain it below?"In the kitchen, there were loaves of bread in the oven. He could smell the baking loaves and knew that soon he would eat freshly baked bread"At first I think the boldic word "baking" should be changed into baked, for the loaves cannot bake, but be baked.However, in meaning, can it mean that the loaves are being baked now by using "baking" as an adjective modifying loaves in the preceeding position?Thank you for your help in advance~

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Yes, that's what it means.

eg a falling rock is still in the air.

eg a fallen rock is on the ground.

Best wishes, Clive

CalifJim · Answer

He could smell the loaves as they were baking ...

It should not be changed to baked.

<<... can it mean that the loaves are being baked now by using "baking" as an adjective modifying loaves in the ~~preceeding~~ preceding position?>>

Yes, that's exactly it. being baked (not necessarily now but at the time referred to by the sentence).

And one more thing. Actually, loaves can bake. It means they are being baked. Food can also cook, or boil, or fry. This structure is allowed in English.

CJ

use of present participle VS past participle as an adjective

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬