It stopped to rain.

Question

Is it ok? Or, do I have to say" "It stopped raining." Thanks

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

Misko PiskoOr, do I have to say" "It stopped raining."

Yes. The infinitive is possible after stop but the meaning is different: I stopped to look at the window.

CB

Misko Pisko · Answer

Thank you. However I'm still not sure what would the difference be between these two: "It stopped to rain." "It stopped raining."

Cool Breeze · Answer

It stopped to rain is impossible. If I say that I stopped to look at the window, it means I didn't walk past the window without stopping.

CB

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Misko PiskoThank you. However I'm still not sure what would the difference be between these two: "It stopped to rain." "It stopped raining."

The dummy it is not a thing or a person. It cannot stop, in the sense of coming to a standstill. A person or vehicle can stop for some reason - to do something:

She stopped to rain tears down on her late husband's casket. (She stopped and cried over her late husband's casket.)

Compare with stop + gerund; it has nearly the opposite meaning:
She stopped crying over her late husband's casket. (She stopped the activity of crying. She is no longer crying)
She stopped raining down tears on her late husband's casket.

But the dummy it, referring to the weather, can cease doing what had been in progress:
It ceased raining.
It stopped raining.

It stopped to rain.

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