The learning of a language is difficult.

[Magic Dragon]

I'd appreciate it if someone would answer my question. Thanks in advance.

Concerning the following 2 sentences:

A: Learning a language is difficult.

B: The learning of a language is difficult.

Which is mote formal?

Which is more general?

Which is more concrete?

Which is more commonly used?

[Alan]

Hi MD,

I would say that B is formal and that A is the most commonly used.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Magic Dragon]

－－Hi, Alan. Thank you for your answer. But what about the other two questions?
Are A and B equally concrete / general?

[Alan]

Hi MD,

I wouldn't use the word 'concrete'. Both are perfectly acceptable.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Magic Dragon]

Hi, Alan. Are both concrete if I change "a language" to "the language"? In that case, which is more concrete C or D?

C: Learning the language is difficult.

D: The learning of the language is difficult.

[Alan]

Hi MD,

I would stop worrying. Your variations are fine but stop using 'concrete' because you can't use it to describe sentences.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice

[Magic Dragon]

－－Hi, Alan. Do you mean "concrete" and "sentence" can't coexist in terms of collocation?

Should I say like this: Which statement gives us a concrete feeling?