adjective +to verb

Question

Hello,1. The mango is good to eat.What is function of "to eat" here?

Hanuman_2000 · Accepted Answer

Hello,

Bump!

Goldmund · Answer

Dear Hanuman_2000,

It is my opinion that the infinitive «to eat» modifies «good». We may say that it functions as an adverb.

I have seen the infinitive in such sentences described as «appositive». I do not know if it is correct.

Kind regards,

Goldmund

Crux_online · Answer

Hanuman_20001. The mango is good to eat. What is function of "to eat" here?

I believe this to be an infinitive phrase that is acting as an adverb to describe good.
This site describes infinitive phrases briefly.

You can substitute the phrase "for the purpose of eating" here. I believe that you can subtitute this type of phrase anytime you see the [adj] + [inf phrase] construction.

Examples:

The car is ready to drive to Las Vegas.
The car is ready for the purpose of driving to Las Vegas. (notice the gerund)

The meal is not good to eat.
The meal is not good for the purpose of eating. (notice the gerund)

However, if you have the construction "It is [adjective] [infinitive phrase], such as, "It is good to save your money," then substitute the construction:

[infinitive phrase] is [adjective]

to get the equivalent meaning.

It is good to save your money
To save your money is good. -or- Saving your money is good. (once again, notice the gerund)

adjective +to verb

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions