English grammar
Stop + -ing, … again, go back to + -ing
Ask someone to stop a habit, and complain when it starts again.
From the scene Stop leaving your socks
In short
Stop + -ing means you no longer do it; go back to + -ing means an old habit returns.
Your turn
Which one goes with don't stop + -ing?
Options: can you stop leaving your socks on the floor? · you left them there again · don't stop washing them!
Show answer
don't stop + -ing → don't stop washing them!
How it works
Stop + -ing means you no longer do something: stop leaving your socks on the floor.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
I'm not going to forget them (blank). I'll put them in the basket.
Options: more · back · again
Show answer
I'm not going to forget them again. I'll put them in the basket.
No voy a volver a olvidarlos. Los pondré en el cesto.
Good to know
To say it happened once more, put again at the end: you left them there again.
Good to know
Go back to + -ing means an old habit returns: I went back to leaving them on the sofa.
stop + -ing can you stop leaving your socks on the floor?
Nuria
Javi, can you stop leaving your socks on the floor?
Javi, ¿puedes dejar de dejar los calcetines en el suelo?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Javi, (blank)?
Options: don't stop washing them · you left them there again · can you stop leaving your socks on the floor
Show answer
Nuria
Javi, can you stop leaving your socks on the floor?
Javi, ¿puedes dejar de dejar los calcetines en el suelo?
don't stop + -ing don't stop washing them!
Javi
No, don't stop washing them! Look, I've already started picking them up.
¡No, no dejes de lavarla! Mira, ya empecé a recogerlos.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
No, (blank)! Look, I've already started picking them up.
Options: can you stop leaving your socks on the floor · you left them there again · don't stop washing them
Show answer
Javi
No, don't stop washing them! Look, I've already started picking them up.
¡No, no dejes de lavarla! Mira, ya empecé a recogerlos.
… again (at the end) you left them there again
Nuria
You already promised me that last week. And you left them there again.
Ya me lo prometiste la semana pasada. Y volviste a dejarlos ahí.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
You already promised me that last week. And (blank).
Options: don't stop washing them · you left them there again · can you stop leaving your socks on the floor
Show answer
Nuria
You already promised me that last week. And you left them there again.
Ya me lo prometiste la semana pasada. Y volviste a dejarlos ahí.
go back to + -ing I went back to leaving them on the sofa
Your turn
What goes with I went back to leaving them on the sofa?
Options: don't stop + -ing · go back to + -ing · stop + -ing
Show answer
I went back to leaving them on the sofa → go back to + -ing
Common mistake
Not do or to do here. The habit ends: which form follows stop?
Sorry. I'm going to stop doing it, I promise.
Lo siento. Voy a dejar de hacerlo, te lo prometo.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| stop + -ing | can you stop leaving your socks on the floor? |
|---|---|
| don't stop + -ing | don't stop washing them! |
| … again (at the end) | you left them there again |
| go back to + -ing | I went back to leaving them on the sofa |
More lines from the story
- JaviSorry. I'm going to stop doing it, I promise.Lo siento. Voy a dejar de hacerlo, te lo prometo.
- JaviI'm not going to forget them again. I'll put them in the basket.No voy a volver a olvidarlos. Los pondré en el cesto.
- JaviWell... I stopped leaving them on the floor and... went back to leaving them on the sofa!Bueno... dejé de dejarlos en el suelo... ¡y volví a dejarlos en el sofá!