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Marold Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Be + infinitive or what else?
" Who's to say they haven't already caught and killed him without publicising it?" (taken from Harry Potter)
"It was to discuss whether they ought to sleep on the bank or retreat back up the wooded slope." (taken from Harry Potter)
I'd like to ask what this grammar structure is called. Is it the "be + infinitive" or what else?
Then, I'd be thankful if you could paraphrase the grammar structure in order to make it more plain and clear to comprehend what it actually indicates.
Thanks in advance.
"It was to discuss whether they ought to sleep on the bank or retreat back up the wooded slope." (taken from Harry Potter)
I'd like to ask what this grammar structure is called. Is it the "be + infinitive" or what else?
Then, I'd be thankful if you could paraphrase the grammar structure in order to make it more plain and clear to comprehend what it actually indicates.
Thanks in advance.
Top answer
I have checked my books, and I think (repeat: think) that we are talking here about a construction called the complementary infinitive . " I think that sometimes this kind of construction is used in order to sound official. For example, a young man might receive an order from the government that reads: You are to report to army headquarters immediately.
- I have checked my books, and I think (repeat: think) that we are talking here about a construction called the complementary infinitive .
- " I think that sometimes this kind of construction is used in order to sound official.
- For example, a young man might receive an order from the government that reads: You are to report to army headquarters immediately.
- I shall leave your second sentence to be explained by someone who is better qualified than I.
- " The results may delight you.
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5 Answers
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I have checked my books, and I think (repeat: think) that we are talking here about a construction called the complementary
infinitive.
For example: "The group is to assemble at dawn." That is another way to say "The group will assemble at dawn."
(Source: Descriptive English Grammar by House and Harman.)
It is only my educated (?) gue
infinitive.
For example: "The group is to assemble at dawn." That is another way to say "The group will assemble at dawn."
(Source: Descriptive English Grammar by House and Harman.)
It is only my educated (?) gue
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I know the construction called like "be + infinitive", when talking about official statements, orders, for expressing the future, talking about fate and so on. It very well might be complementary infinitive.
I can guess the meaning in particular sentences quite well, but I'd like to have it well grammatically explained, you know.
Thank you very much for your bit of explanation, a
I can guess the meaning in particular sentences quite well, but I'd like to have it well grammatically explained, you know.
Thank you very much for your bit of explanation, a
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Hi,
Who's to say is an idiomatic phrase. It is used to say that something might occur or might have occurred
in a certain way, as it cannot be known for sure. Generally speaking, I would not bother with the grammar
of idioms.
It was to discuss means it was supposed to discuss. The omission of supposed doesn't harm the intended
meaning, but no
Who's to say is an idiomatic phrase. It is used to say that something might occur or might have occurred
in a certain way, as it cannot be known for sure. Generally speaking, I would not bother with the grammar
of idioms.
It was to discuss means it was supposed to discuss. The omission of supposed doesn't harm the intended
meaning, but no
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Thank you ver much, Regard.
Yes, "supposed" fits in the omission really well and makes the meaning immediately clearer for me.
Yes, "supposed" fits in the omission really well and makes the meaning immediately clearer for me.
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