As

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Hello everybody, happy new year.The following statement is an example of as functioning as a conjunction:He was so foolish as to lie.My question is, and as it stands in the sentece, what part of speech is the the full infinitive to lie?Thank you.

Surfer · Accepted Answer

Hello teachers.
He was so foolish as to lie.

Does it mean:

He was very folish all along and eventually lied.
He was folish enough to lie. (Doesn't necessarily mean he lied, it's just that he had it in him and could possibly do it)

I Appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.

Avangi · Answer

SurferHe was so foolish as to lie.

Does it mean: He was very foolish all along and eventually lied.

I wouldn't say so. It usually refers to a specific occasion/ situation in which the person who lied should have known that he wouldn't get away with it. --- And the implication is that he didn't get away with it!

(It's a tough construction.) He was foolish enough at that moment that he lied. The emphasis is on the one particular foolish act, not on his character in general.

Surfer · Answer

Hello Avangi, and thanks for your reply.

I'm really sorry.., but I couldn't understand the second part of your reply, What's a tough construction? He was so foolish as to lie?

What about "Doesn't necessarily mean he lied, it's just that he had it in him and could possibly do it", Isn't it correct?

Thank you for your time and answer.

Avangi · Answer

SurferWhat's a tough construction?

A very difficult construction to understand. (A construction which is very difficult to understand.)

SurferWhat about "Doesn't necessarily mean he lied, it's just that he had it in him and could possibly do it", Isn't it correct?

In my opinion, this interpretation is not possible.
You may argue that it's reasonable, but a native speaker would never take it that way.
(He was so foolish as to lie.)

We also say, "He would not be so foolish as to lie."
In this case we're speaking a little more about his general character, but nevertheless, we do not mean that he would never lie. There would be something in prior context which would refer to a specific upcoming event, or potential upcoming event.
I'm worried about the meeting. Do you think he'll deny being responsible?

The tense could make a difference. In the simple present tense, we could be talking about his general character: He is so foolish as to lie [on occasion].

- A.

Surfer · Answer

AvangiSurferWhat's a tough construction?A very difficult construction to understand.

I meant, what was it that you thought was a tough construction, He was so foolish as to lie?

Thank you.

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