student asking question

Is there any difference in nuance between "Make it stop" and "Stop it"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Yes, there is a slight difference in nuance between "make it stop" and "stop it". If you say "stop it", this is usually more of a command, and often implies that you are telling someone directly to stop doing something. This can also imply an aggressive tone. To "make it stop" just means to stop doing something, however, it does not always have to be a command to someone else. Often times, "make it stop" is used more as a question or a plea, but it doesn't always have an aggressive tone. It can also be used to express a wish or a desire that someone can't actually control. Ex: Why is it raining? Make it stop! Ex: Stop it, you're hurting the cat!

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