denotando

Denotando is the present participle (gerund) of the verb denotar in Spanish and Portuguese, meaning denoting or indicating. In linguistic and philosophical discussions, denotando is used to describe the act of designating a referent or the reference associated with a term or expression.

Etymology and grammatical function: The form derives from Latin denotare and is a shared feature of Romance languages. As a gerund, denotando can function to describe ongoing acts of reference or to introduce analytic clauses in formal writing. It is more common in academic prose than in everyday speech, where simpler phrases or infinitives are often preferred.

Semantics and reference: In semantics, denotation refers to the direct referent of a sign—what a term stands for in the world or within a given discourse. The use of denotando emphasizes the process of linking expressions to their referents, rather than merely stating an identity. This contrasts with concepts such as connotation, which concerns secondary or associated meanings. In practice, denotando appears in analytic sentences that discuss how a term or expression denotes objects, properties, or concepts.

Usage notes: Denotando is primarily found in formal or scholarly texts in Spanish or Portuguese. Writers may opt for denotar (to denote) or paraphrase with clauses like "que denota" or "que señala" when aiming for clarity or a more direct style. The choice between denotación-based terminology and paraphrastic constructions can influence tone, precision, and readability in linguistic and philosophical writing.

See also: Denotation, Denotación, Connotation, Reference (linguistics).