Why are words ending in ing a noun not verb eg walking means the action of one that walks so surely it should be because its an what makes noun?

You're right to be curious about this! It's a common point of confusion in English. While it's true that many words ending in "-ing" function as nouns, they don't always do so *because* of the "-ing" suffix. Here's a breakdown of why:

* Gerunds: The "-ing" suffix can create a gerund. A gerund is a verb form that acts as a noun. These are often the words you're thinking of:

* Walking is good exercise. (The gerund "walking" acts as the subject of the sentence.)

* I enjoy swimming. (The gerund "swimming" acts as the object of the verb "enjoy".)

* Reading is her favorite hobby. (The gerund "reading" acts as the subject.)

* Present Participles: Words ending in "-ing" can also be present participles. These are verb forms that describe an ongoing action. They're often used as adjectives or parts of verb phrases:

* The running water spilled everywhere. (The participle "running" modifies the noun "water".)

* They are walking to the store. (The participle "walking" is part of the verb phrase "are walking".)

* Noun Forms: Some words ending in "-ing" are simply nouns that have evolved over time. These aren't formed from verbs using the "-ing" suffix:

* Building (the structure)

* Hearing (the sense)

* Morning (the part of the day)

Key Takeaway: The "-ing" suffix itself doesn't inherently make a word a noun. It can be used to form gerunds, which function as nouns, but it can also be used to form present participles, which function as verbs or adjectives. Some words ending in "-ing" are simply nouns in their own right.

If you're unsure about the function of a word ending in "-ing," consider its role in the sentence. Is it acting as a subject, object, or adjective? If it's doing something a noun usually does, it's likely a gerund.