gerund and noun applications
This sentence below is extracted from vocabulary for IELTS book (recording scripts part).
But nowadays all we seem to do is argue and that causes a lot of conflict between us.
Why she's saying argue? Shouldn't it be arguing or argument? And why conflict is not plural?
grammar nouns gerunds
add a comment |
This sentence below is extracted from vocabulary for IELTS book (recording scripts part).
But nowadays all we seem to do is argue and that causes a lot of conflict between us.
Why she's saying argue? Shouldn't it be arguing or argument? And why conflict is not plural?
grammar nouns gerunds
add a comment |
This sentence below is extracted from vocabulary for IELTS book (recording scripts part).
But nowadays all we seem to do is argue and that causes a lot of conflict between us.
Why she's saying argue? Shouldn't it be arguing or argument? And why conflict is not plural?
grammar nouns gerunds
This sentence below is extracted from vocabulary for IELTS book (recording scripts part).
But nowadays all we seem to do is argue and that causes a lot of conflict between us.
Why she's saying argue? Shouldn't it be arguing or argument? And why conflict is not plural?
grammar nouns gerunds
grammar nouns gerunds
edited yesterday
J.R.♦
100k8129247
100k8129247
asked 2 days ago
amir rezvanfaramir rezvanfar
628
628
add a comment |
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
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votes
The verb "argue" is correct. Similar structures exist:
What she does is play tennis.
All I do is miss you.
What you have to do is be happy
The structure is subject-verb-complement. The complement is a bare infinitive (without "to"). Your example is more complex as the subject is "All we seem to do", but the bare infinitive is just "argue".
"Conflict" is not plural as it is used as a non-count noun: "How much conflict?"
Would you please introduce a site regarding this structure to me , I want to know more of it.
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
It doesn't seem to be very common, and I can't find a specific site about it. The middle example is taken from a song "Dire Straits, Romeo and Juliet". I've added a third example which shows that this is a bare infinitive, and not simple present.
– James K
2 days ago
add a comment |
The example is correct. "argue" here is a verb. In "All we seem to do is argue" "argue" is the action that they take. It could be reworded as "we are always arguing" where "are" is the verb, and "arguing" is a gerund.
In "that causes a lot of conflict between us" "conflict" is indicating a state, a continuing condition, rather than a distinct action. It could be reworded as "That causes many conflicts between us" referring to many distinct, individual conflicts. In this case the meaning is not much changed.
New contributor
In this case what do you say? when I go to beach all I want to do is walk/walking?
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
1
@amir rezvanfar : One would NOT say "all i want to do is walking." One coudl say "All I want to do is walk" or "I want to go walking". The first is verb-complement,(is - walk) the 2nd is verb-gerund (go - walking)
– David Siegel
2 days ago
would you please introduce a site regarding this structure to me , I want to know more of it.
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
add a comment |
To use the noun "argument" in place of the verb "argue" in this sentence, the sentence would need to be rewritten to use "have arguments". For example:
But nowadays all we seem to do is have arguments and that causes a lot of conflict between us.
This is perfectly grammatical, but I think it is slightly weaker writing than the original form, because of the need for the auxiliary "have"
New contributor
add a comment |
But nowadays all we seem to do is argue and that causes a lot of conflict between us.
There is an omission of to before the verb argue, which is common these days especially in American English informal language.
And to is optional in such sentences (i.e sentences in that form)
...is (to) argue...
... since the verb do has a role in permitting that; otherwise, that structure wouldn't work.
Also, notice that argue is a verb in its infinitive form and can't be alternated with a noun such as argument.
You may want to read this.
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
The verb "argue" is correct. Similar structures exist:
What she does is play tennis.
All I do is miss you.
What you have to do is be happy
The structure is subject-verb-complement. The complement is a bare infinitive (without "to"). Your example is more complex as the subject is "All we seem to do", but the bare infinitive is just "argue".
"Conflict" is not plural as it is used as a non-count noun: "How much conflict?"
Would you please introduce a site regarding this structure to me , I want to know more of it.
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
It doesn't seem to be very common, and I can't find a specific site about it. The middle example is taken from a song "Dire Straits, Romeo and Juliet". I've added a third example which shows that this is a bare infinitive, and not simple present.
– James K
2 days ago
add a comment |
The verb "argue" is correct. Similar structures exist:
What she does is play tennis.
All I do is miss you.
What you have to do is be happy
The structure is subject-verb-complement. The complement is a bare infinitive (without "to"). Your example is more complex as the subject is "All we seem to do", but the bare infinitive is just "argue".
"Conflict" is not plural as it is used as a non-count noun: "How much conflict?"
Would you please introduce a site regarding this structure to me , I want to know more of it.
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
It doesn't seem to be very common, and I can't find a specific site about it. The middle example is taken from a song "Dire Straits, Romeo and Juliet". I've added a third example which shows that this is a bare infinitive, and not simple present.
– James K
2 days ago
add a comment |
The verb "argue" is correct. Similar structures exist:
What she does is play tennis.
All I do is miss you.
What you have to do is be happy
The structure is subject-verb-complement. The complement is a bare infinitive (without "to"). Your example is more complex as the subject is "All we seem to do", but the bare infinitive is just "argue".
"Conflict" is not plural as it is used as a non-count noun: "How much conflict?"
The verb "argue" is correct. Similar structures exist:
What she does is play tennis.
All I do is miss you.
What you have to do is be happy
The structure is subject-verb-complement. The complement is a bare infinitive (without "to"). Your example is more complex as the subject is "All we seem to do", but the bare infinitive is just "argue".
"Conflict" is not plural as it is used as a non-count noun: "How much conflict?"
edited 2 days ago
answered 2 days ago
James KJames K
38.3k14097
38.3k14097
Would you please introduce a site regarding this structure to me , I want to know more of it.
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
It doesn't seem to be very common, and I can't find a specific site about it. The middle example is taken from a song "Dire Straits, Romeo and Juliet". I've added a third example which shows that this is a bare infinitive, and not simple present.
– James K
2 days ago
add a comment |
Would you please introduce a site regarding this structure to me , I want to know more of it.
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
It doesn't seem to be very common, and I can't find a specific site about it. The middle example is taken from a song "Dire Straits, Romeo and Juliet". I've added a third example which shows that this is a bare infinitive, and not simple present.
– James K
2 days ago
Would you please introduce a site regarding this structure to me , I want to know more of it.
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
Would you please introduce a site regarding this structure to me , I want to know more of it.
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
It doesn't seem to be very common, and I can't find a specific site about it. The middle example is taken from a song "Dire Straits, Romeo and Juliet". I've added a third example which shows that this is a bare infinitive, and not simple present.
– James K
2 days ago
It doesn't seem to be very common, and I can't find a specific site about it. The middle example is taken from a song "Dire Straits, Romeo and Juliet". I've added a third example which shows that this is a bare infinitive, and not simple present.
– James K
2 days ago
add a comment |
The example is correct. "argue" here is a verb. In "All we seem to do is argue" "argue" is the action that they take. It could be reworded as "we are always arguing" where "are" is the verb, and "arguing" is a gerund.
In "that causes a lot of conflict between us" "conflict" is indicating a state, a continuing condition, rather than a distinct action. It could be reworded as "That causes many conflicts between us" referring to many distinct, individual conflicts. In this case the meaning is not much changed.
New contributor
In this case what do you say? when I go to beach all I want to do is walk/walking?
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
1
@amir rezvanfar : One would NOT say "all i want to do is walking." One coudl say "All I want to do is walk" or "I want to go walking". The first is verb-complement,(is - walk) the 2nd is verb-gerund (go - walking)
– David Siegel
2 days ago
would you please introduce a site regarding this structure to me , I want to know more of it.
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
add a comment |
The example is correct. "argue" here is a verb. In "All we seem to do is argue" "argue" is the action that they take. It could be reworded as "we are always arguing" where "are" is the verb, and "arguing" is a gerund.
In "that causes a lot of conflict between us" "conflict" is indicating a state, a continuing condition, rather than a distinct action. It could be reworded as "That causes many conflicts between us" referring to many distinct, individual conflicts. In this case the meaning is not much changed.
New contributor
In this case what do you say? when I go to beach all I want to do is walk/walking?
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
1
@amir rezvanfar : One would NOT say "all i want to do is walking." One coudl say "All I want to do is walk" or "I want to go walking". The first is verb-complement,(is - walk) the 2nd is verb-gerund (go - walking)
– David Siegel
2 days ago
would you please introduce a site regarding this structure to me , I want to know more of it.
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
add a comment |
The example is correct. "argue" here is a verb. In "All we seem to do is argue" "argue" is the action that they take. It could be reworded as "we are always arguing" where "are" is the verb, and "arguing" is a gerund.
In "that causes a lot of conflict between us" "conflict" is indicating a state, a continuing condition, rather than a distinct action. It could be reworded as "That causes many conflicts between us" referring to many distinct, individual conflicts. In this case the meaning is not much changed.
New contributor
The example is correct. "argue" here is a verb. In "All we seem to do is argue" "argue" is the action that they take. It could be reworded as "we are always arguing" where "are" is the verb, and "arguing" is a gerund.
In "that causes a lot of conflict between us" "conflict" is indicating a state, a continuing condition, rather than a distinct action. It could be reworded as "That causes many conflicts between us" referring to many distinct, individual conflicts. In this case the meaning is not much changed.
New contributor
New contributor
answered 2 days ago
David SiegelDavid Siegel
76111
76111
New contributor
New contributor
In this case what do you say? when I go to beach all I want to do is walk/walking?
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
1
@amir rezvanfar : One would NOT say "all i want to do is walking." One coudl say "All I want to do is walk" or "I want to go walking". The first is verb-complement,(is - walk) the 2nd is verb-gerund (go - walking)
– David Siegel
2 days ago
would you please introduce a site regarding this structure to me , I want to know more of it.
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
add a comment |
In this case what do you say? when I go to beach all I want to do is walk/walking?
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
1
@amir rezvanfar : One would NOT say "all i want to do is walking." One coudl say "All I want to do is walk" or "I want to go walking". The first is verb-complement,(is - walk) the 2nd is verb-gerund (go - walking)
– David Siegel
2 days ago
would you please introduce a site regarding this structure to me , I want to know more of it.
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
In this case what do you say? when I go to beach all I want to do is walk/walking?
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
In this case what do you say? when I go to beach all I want to do is walk/walking?
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
1
1
@amir rezvanfar : One would NOT say "all i want to do is walking." One coudl say "All I want to do is walk" or "I want to go walking". The first is verb-complement,(is - walk) the 2nd is verb-gerund (go - walking)
– David Siegel
2 days ago
@amir rezvanfar : One would NOT say "all i want to do is walking." One coudl say "All I want to do is walk" or "I want to go walking". The first is verb-complement,(is - walk) the 2nd is verb-gerund (go - walking)
– David Siegel
2 days ago
would you please introduce a site regarding this structure to me , I want to know more of it.
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
would you please introduce a site regarding this structure to me , I want to know more of it.
– amir rezvanfar
2 days ago
add a comment |
To use the noun "argument" in place of the verb "argue" in this sentence, the sentence would need to be rewritten to use "have arguments". For example:
But nowadays all we seem to do is have arguments and that causes a lot of conflict between us.
This is perfectly grammatical, but I think it is slightly weaker writing than the original form, because of the need for the auxiliary "have"
New contributor
add a comment |
To use the noun "argument" in place of the verb "argue" in this sentence, the sentence would need to be rewritten to use "have arguments". For example:
But nowadays all we seem to do is have arguments and that causes a lot of conflict between us.
This is perfectly grammatical, but I think it is slightly weaker writing than the original form, because of the need for the auxiliary "have"
New contributor
add a comment |
To use the noun "argument" in place of the verb "argue" in this sentence, the sentence would need to be rewritten to use "have arguments". For example:
But nowadays all we seem to do is have arguments and that causes a lot of conflict between us.
This is perfectly grammatical, but I think it is slightly weaker writing than the original form, because of the need for the auxiliary "have"
New contributor
To use the noun "argument" in place of the verb "argue" in this sentence, the sentence would need to be rewritten to use "have arguments". For example:
But nowadays all we seem to do is have arguments and that causes a lot of conflict between us.
This is perfectly grammatical, but I think it is slightly weaker writing than the original form, because of the need for the auxiliary "have"
New contributor
New contributor
answered yesterday
David SiegelDavid Siegel
76111
76111
New contributor
New contributor
add a comment |
add a comment |
But nowadays all we seem to do is argue and that causes a lot of conflict between us.
There is an omission of to before the verb argue, which is common these days especially in American English informal language.
And to is optional in such sentences (i.e sentences in that form)
...is (to) argue...
... since the verb do has a role in permitting that; otherwise, that structure wouldn't work.
Also, notice that argue is a verb in its infinitive form and can't be alternated with a noun such as argument.
You may want to read this.
add a comment |
But nowadays all we seem to do is argue and that causes a lot of conflict between us.
There is an omission of to before the verb argue, which is common these days especially in American English informal language.
And to is optional in such sentences (i.e sentences in that form)
...is (to) argue...
... since the verb do has a role in permitting that; otherwise, that structure wouldn't work.
Also, notice that argue is a verb in its infinitive form and can't be alternated with a noun such as argument.
You may want to read this.
add a comment |
But nowadays all we seem to do is argue and that causes a lot of conflict between us.
There is an omission of to before the verb argue, which is common these days especially in American English informal language.
And to is optional in such sentences (i.e sentences in that form)
...is (to) argue...
... since the verb do has a role in permitting that; otherwise, that structure wouldn't work.
Also, notice that argue is a verb in its infinitive form and can't be alternated with a noun such as argument.
You may want to read this.
But nowadays all we seem to do is argue and that causes a lot of conflict between us.
There is an omission of to before the verb argue, which is common these days especially in American English informal language.
And to is optional in such sentences (i.e sentences in that form)
...is (to) argue...
... since the verb do has a role in permitting that; otherwise, that structure wouldn't work.
Also, notice that argue is a verb in its infinitive form and can't be alternated with a noun such as argument.
You may want to read this.
answered yesterday
Tasneem ZhTasneem Zh
806117
806117
add a comment |
add a comment |
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