Participles

When the present participle is used substantively, in sentences like the following, it is preceded by the definite article and followed by the preposition of . The omitting of the preposition is a common error. Thus, "Or, it is the drawing a conclusion which was before either unknown or dark," should be, "the drawing of a conclusion." "Prompted by the most extreme vanity, he persisted in the writing bad verses," should be, "in writing bad verses," or "in the writing of bad verses." "There is a misuse of the article a which is very common. It is the using it before the word most ."—Moon. Most writers would have said "the using of it." Mr. Moon argues for his construction.