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William Pei Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Differences between "to do" and "to be done"
Hi, guys! This is is my first post on this forum. I look forward to your participation. As a non-English native speaker, I often get into the dilemma where I don't know I should use "to do" or "to be done". For example, what's the difference between "I have a story to tell." and "I have a story to be told."? And why can't I say "I have some homework to be done." instead of "I have some homework to do."? Thanks in advance.
Top answer
The active infinitive can have passive meaning in such constructions, and it is the preferred form there. English speakers feel that some element already mentioned in the sentence is the subject of the infinitive, usually the subject of the main clause, and that some modal verb is implied, so the passive infinitive is not necessary. The noun modified by the infinitive is regarded as the object of the infinitive unless another object is specifically stated after the infinitive.
- The active infinitive can have passive meaning in such constructions, and it is the preferred form there.
- English speakers feel that some element already mentioned in the sentence is the subject of the infinitive, usually the subject of the main clause, and that some modal verb is implied, so the passive infinitive is not necessary.
- The noun modified by the infinitive is regarded as the object of the infinitive unless another object is specifically stated after the infinitive.
- I have a story to tell.
- > I have a story that I can tell.
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7 Answers
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The active infinitive can have passive meaning in such constructions, and it is the preferred form there. English speakers feel that some element already mentioned in the sentence is the subject of the infinitive, usually the subject of the main clause, and that some modal verb is implied, so the passive infinitive is not necessary. The noun modified by the infinitive is regarded as the object o
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The is a very confusing area of English grammar. Can you tell exactly when to use what? Is there any particular words/phrases that follow passive/active infinitive. Michael Swan in his book Practical English Usage says,
1. If subject of the clause is the person who has to do the action, active infinitives are used. e.g- I've got work to do (Not to be done).
2. If the subject is the pe
1. If subject of the clause is the person who has to do the action, active infinitives are used. e.g- I've got work to do (Not to be done).
2. If the subject is the pe
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Tanvir Hossain 9489I would like you to make it much clearer.I don't believe there is any way to make it clearer. Mr. Swan has already explained it better than I could.
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Thank you very much for your detailed explanation, CalifJim! I appreciate it.
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I got Mr Swan well but I asked u because your explanation(a bit difficult to tell the truth)seems a bit different than his. Now if I get it correctly, whenever a sentence starts with "THERE" , both active/passive infinitives are possible, e.g. there are many letters to post/to be posted. Otherwise it depends on who is doing (for active) and to which/whom is being done(for passive). Correct me if I
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tvrhossainI got Mr Swan well but I asked u because your explanation(a bit difficult to tell the truth)seems a bit different than his. Now if I get it correctly, whenever a sentence starts with "THERE" , both active/passive infinitives are possible, e.g. there are many letters to post/to be posted. Otherwise it depends on who is doing (for active) and to which/whom is bein
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