something going on. It is a participle of a verb. The words "a" or "the" transform a verb participle into a noun. Such humble words as "a" and "the" have magical properties like that In English.
I know you are only making a joke out of the multiple possible uses of a verb form, but I am playing it straight with a grammatical explanation that removes the mystery.
In English grammatical structure, a word ending in "ing" can only be a verb if it has a "helping" verb with it, which I am sure you learned in grade school. In this sentence, "I am building a house," building is a verb, indicating ongoing activity because of the auxiliary (helping) verb, "am."
But when "building" has an article in front if it ("a" or
"the" ), then "Voila!" It no longer indicates action. It is a lazy noun that does nothing but sit there.
If "building" is in front if a noun, it becomes an adjective, as in a "building project." Now it just describes the noun, "project "
English depends on word order and context for meaning.
But you learned all this in grade school and maybe had it reinforced in high school.
Your child does something wrong and you give him or her "a scolding." Scolding is a noun in that usage. Your dog rolls in a mud puddle outdoors and you give him a good "washing." Another verb transformed into a noun by the magic of an article.
English is very flexible.
Today's grammar lesson has ended.
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