有一读者问：有这样一道选择题：
(1)_____, the man had to come out of his hiding-place.
A. With his food run out B. With his food to run out
C. With his food running out D.With running out his food
如果选C，那么它起什么作用？ running是现在分词还是动名词？
这里应选C。with his food running out 是一独立结构，起原因状语的作用。 running 在此是现在分词，表一正在进行的动作，running out 在此可以看作表一情景。动名词不强调动作在进行，而强调一事实。试比较下面三个句子中的不定式、现在分词和动名词：
(2)I saw him smoke . （不带 to 的不定式 smoke 只表动作本身的发生，可看作一事件[event]）
(3)I saw him smoking . （现在分词表动作在进行，可看作一情景）
(4)I dislike his smoking . （动名词 smoking 可看作一客观事实）
