0
Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Why do we need "to" here?

Hi. Why do we need the word "to" in no. 1 and don't need the word "to" in no. 2 (as it seems to me)?

1. He finds it difficult to stop writing the poem.

2. He finds it difficult writing the poem.
  

Top answer

#1: 'stop' is an infinitive verb form #2: 'writing is a participial verb form. 'To' is called the infinitive particle and is usually (but not always) required for infinitives after catenative verbs (verbs that link with following verb forms).

  • #1: 'stop' is an infinitive verb form #2: 'writing is a participial verb form.
  • 'To' is called the infinitive particle and is usually (but not always) required for infinitives after catenative verbs (verbs that link with following verb forms).
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
.
#1: 'stop' is an infinitive verb form
#2: 'writing is a participial verb form.

'To' is called the infinitive particle and is usually (but not always) required for infinitives after catenative verbs (verbs that link with following verb forms).
.
0
i think the problem is not the "TO"

but on the grammar of

"stop + Ving"

vs

"stop to + V"

it's al about the stop word ^^
0
No, I don't think so, Celia. Please notice:


1. He finds it difficult to stop writing the poem = He can't stop writing it

2. He finds it difficult writing the poem = He can't write it
3. He finds it difficult to stop to write the poem = He can't stop something else in order to write it.

But you should ignore my last comment on my earlier po

Related Questions