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Verb in the sentence

Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 3:31 pm
by sherrychan
'Towards the end of Middle English, a sudden and distinct change in pronunciation (the Great Vowel Shift) started, with vowels being pronounced shorter and shorter.'

The sentence is so long that I can't sure which one is the verb. Is 'started' or 'being pronounced'?

Thank you very much!^____^

Re: Verb in the sentence

Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 3:38 am
by Alan
'Started' is the verb of the main clause, while 'being pronounced' is a (nonfinite) participle phrase.