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Mbgrabs Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Which is the verb?

"Stop making up stories."

If "stop" is the verb, what is "making"? And vice versa.


Thanks

  

Top answer

stop is the verb. making up stories is a gerund phrase. It functions like a noun.

— Clive

  • stop is the verb.
  • making up stories is a gerund phrase.
  • It functions like a noun.
  • You may see that more clearly if we reword a bit.
  • eg Lies are bad.
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2 Answers
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stop is the verb.

making up stories is a gerund phrase. It functions like a noun.


You may see that more clearly if we reword a bit.

eg Lies are bad.

eg Making up stories is bad.

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mbgrabsIf "stop" is the verb, what is "making"?

It's also a verb. A combination of two verbs like this is called a catenative construction. In these kinds of constructions the first verb governs the form of the second verb.

stop doing, avoid doing, enjoy doing (participle)
But want to do, have to

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