Is twists a noun

Answer 1

yes and no. it depends on how you look at it. this can be answered in a couple of different ways:

1. in the sentence, "the cloth needs you twisting it to release the water," twisting is referred to as a verb. this is since the "you" is doing the action of twisting the cloth. in this case the answer is no

2. if the sentence was twisted (no pun intended) into "the twisting of the cloth brings out the water," twisting is referred to as a noun since there is a definite article preceding it. a person nor the cloth is doing the action of twisting by portraying it as a noun. in this case the answer is yes

in simpler terms, if twisting is being done, it is a verb, and if twisting is preceded by an article or nothing is specifically doing the twisting, it is a noun. however, you cannot infer that someone is twisting the cloth if it doesn't necessarily say that is the sentence.

Answer 2

Yes, the word 'twists' is both a noun (twist, twists) and a verb (twist, twists, twisting, twisted).

Examples:

The twists of the plot will keep you guessing. (noun)

She twists her hair in her fingers when she's nervous. (verb)