I have been most entertained by Johanna Rubba's remarks on form vs. function and by the "go camping" discussion,
especially considering idiom.  Let me pose another question.  Consider the following sentences:

The husband and wife were at each other all night.
The young couple were at it all night.

It seems to me that the sentence exists as a whole.  Is the verb an extended verb:  were at?  Is that now functioning as
an action verb?  Isn't its form and function determined by the direct object?  Can syntax truly be separated from
semantics?  Lately, I have been reading up on cognitive grammar.  I suspect it has something to offer in this instance.

In any case, I thought you might like to have at it for a while.  I look forward to seeing how you approach this.

Sincerely,
Gregg Heacock

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