Do two verbs mean there are two clauses in a sentence?

Question

I'd like to ask whether the direct object in this sentence is a non-finite clause and thus the sentence is not a simple sentence?

Gatsby doesn't want to have any trouble with anybody.

I'd analyze it like this:

Is that to have any trouble with anybody a non-finite clause or just a verb phrase?

Sander · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-21 14:32:59Z

1

to have any trouble with anybody is both a verb phrase and a non-finite clause.

Within the main clause, the whole phrase is a verb phrase with the function of direct object, just as you analysed it.

On its own level (non-finite clause) you could analyze it like so:

to have: predicate

any trouble: object

with anybody: prepositional object

answered Jun 21 '15 at 12:49

Sander

4,9581 gold badge12 silver badges31 bronze badges

add a comment |

1 Answer 1