1
the rotting of [sth]
rotting 作名词表示“腐烂”的过程，通常与 of 连用，说明腐烂的对象。
The rotting of the wooden beams was caused by damp.
木梁的腐烂是由潮湿引起的。
腐烂；腐坏
rottings — plural of rotting
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
腐烂；腐坏
The process by which something rots.
The rotting of the wooden beams was caused by damp.
木梁的腐烂是由潮湿引起的。
指腐烂的过程
某物腐烂的过程
The process by which something rots.
已腐烂的材料
Material that has rotted.
The rotting of the wooden fence was accelerated by the constant rain.
木栅栏的腐烂因持续的雨水而加速。
They could smell the rotting from the old garbage dump.
他们能闻到旧垃圾堆散发出的腐烂气味。
The rotting of organic matter is an essential part of the nutrient cycle.
有机物的腐烂是养分循环的重要组成部分。
rotting 作名词表示“腐烂”的过程，通常与 of 连用，说明腐烂的对象。
The rotting of the wooden beams was caused by damp.
木梁的腐烂是由潮湿引起的。
所有格形式也能表示腐烂过程，但比 the rotting of 更少见，多用于口语。
The gardener slowed the fruit's rotting by keeping it cool.
园丁通过保持低温减缓了水果的腐烂。
Not this
The rotten of the food is caused by bacteria.
Use this
The rotting of the food is caused by bacteria.
rotten 是形容词，意为“腐烂的”，不能作名词；表示“腐烂（的过程）”这一名词概念时，应用动名词 rotting。中文里“腐烂”没有词形变化，所以学习者容易误用形容词替代名词。
Not this
A rotting is a natural process.
Use this
Rotting is a natural process.
rotting 表示“腐烂（的过程）”时是不可数名词，不能直接用不定冠词 a 修饰；泛指这一自然现象时应使用零冠词。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
腐烂过程
The rotting process of fruit can be slowed by refrigeration.
冷藏可以减缓水果的腐烂过程。
有机物的腐烂
The rotting of organic matter releases nutrients into the soil.
有机物的腐烂会向土壤释放养分。
腐烂的肉
The rotting flesh gave off a terrible stench.
腐烂的肉散发出可怕的恶臭。
腐烂的木头
Rotting wood in the fence needs to be replaced.
栅栏里腐烂的木头需要更换。
Use rottings naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
把 'rotting' 拆成 rot（烂）+ -ing（过程），想象一块肉从新鲜到腐烂的整个变质过程。
语域：mixed 常见场景：scientific or environmental writing、general written description 作名词时通常见于书面或科普语境，指腐烂的过程；指腐烂物时多用于较专业的说明。日常口语中更常说动词 rot 或形容词 rotten，因此该名词用法比较正式或书面化。
通常用作不可数名词，指腐烂的过程
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY, WORDNET.