The usage of phrase and verb

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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tingrita
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The usage of phrase and verb

Post by tingrita »

Hi Alan,
I have some problems about the phrase and the verb use, please help with the questions, thanks in advance!

1) Can I say "go have fun" instead of "go for fun"? Is the later one more formal?
2) In sentences "When you see the soup is boiling..." & "When you see the soup boiling...", which one is correct?

Thank you very much!
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Alan
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Re: The usage of phrase and verb

Post by Alan »

1) Yes, in fact we never say 'go for fun' (with that same meaning, at any rate).

2) Both possible: identical in meaning, simply differing in structure. The first consists of two clauses: an adverbial clause "When you see the soup is boiling", containing within it, as object of 'see', a nominal subordinate "(that) the soup is boiling", whereas the second consists of a single clause containing as object of 'see' the NP 'the soup boiling', in which the head noun 'soup' is postmodified by the participle 'boiling'. (I don't know how technical an explanation you wanted, but that is a fairly comprehensive one - I hope it answers your query!)
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