Weird Syntax
I have a question regarding the next sentence :
Trick your friend into thinking that there is a barking dog chasing after you.
I find this construction barking + dog + chasing somehow strange. I have the impression that something is missing regarding the syntax of this sentence. Can somebody help me clarify what it is?
Top answer
Nothing strange here. Either the ing form or bare infinitive is possible in a sentence like yours (with a change in meaning). For example, I saw the dog crossing the river.
- Nothing strange here.
- Either the ing form or bare infinitive is possible in a sentence like yours (with a change in meaning).
- For example, I saw the dog crossing the river.
- ) or I saw the dog cross the river.
- ) The bare infinitive chase can't be used in the original because it denotes an action in progress there (Trick your friend into thinking there is a barking dog [that is] chasing after you).
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Nothing strange here.
Either the ing form or bare infinitive is possible in a sentence like yours (with a change in meaning). For example,
I saw the dog crossing the river. (=I saw the dog [as it was] crossing the river.)
or
I saw the dog cross the river. (=I saw the dog [as it] crossed the river.)
The bare infinitive chase can't be used in the or
0anonymousTrick your friend into thinking that there is a barking dog chasing after you.
I see chasing after you as a non-finite clause which is a substitute for the relative one which is chasing
Trick your friend into thinking that there is a barking dog [which is] chasing aft
0
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