student asking question

Isn't it okay to say "stain" not "staining" here? What's the difference in nuance of between those two?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Yes, "staining" is appropriate here because it is being used as a noun (a discoloration). You can substitute "staining" for "stains," also a noun, without any change to the meaning of the sentence. "Staining" can be also used as a verb, meaning to produce a discoloration or create a stain. Ex: The furniture is old, so it has a lot of staining. Ex: The scandal is staining the company's reputation.

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