English Infinitive Question!

Question

I'm a little a bit confused about English infinitives. At first, I thought they strictly meant the "thought" of an action. But sometimes they can be changed to noun clause.

"I want Carol to go" = "I want that Carol should go"
Apparently, on website this is what it says.
Why doesn't this sentence work?

"I know how to drive" vs. "I know how I drive" or "I know you to drive". The second has a different meaning, and the last sentence makes no sense at all. Why?
I was thinking that it has something to do with "forcing will on others" or subjunctive verbs. However, consider these sentences.

"I know what to do" vs. "I know what I should do".
They both make sense, but they aren't subjunctive verbs.
I'm very puzzled, thanks!

Avangi · Accepted Answer

BlackBlitz But sometimes they can be changed to noun clause. Yes.

"I want Carol to go" = "I want that Carol should go"
Apparently, on website this is what it says.
Why doesn't this sentence work? It works for me. It was quite common two generations ago. Now it's old-fashioned. (speaking of MY grandparents, BTW)

"I know how to drive" vs. "I know how I drive" or "I know you to drive". The second has a different meaning, and the last sentence makes no sense at all. Why? I think you went off course. "You know how to drive. I know how you drive."

I was thinking that it has something to do with "forcing will on others" or subjunctive verbs. However, consider these sentences.
"I know what to do" vs. "I know what I should do".They both make sense, but they aren't subjunctive verbs. Are you talking about "know" vs. "want," for instance?

BlackBlitz · Answer

I still don't understand my second and third question. LOL. =S

In "I know how to drive" vs. "I know how you drive" They have completely different meaning. I don't understand why we use an infinitive in the first. In the first example, I'm saying that "I know the process/means of driving". Why can't I use it on someone else. "I know how Carol to drive." That sounds very wrong.

In question 3.
"I know what to do." = "I know what I should I do"
However, I can't put the infinitive for someone else.
"I know what Carol to do" is wrong.

Yeah, I'm confusing myself even more. Can somebody explain to the rules for infinitives and why don't these sentences work?

Avangi · Answer

You don't understand why your website quote works for me and not for you? Only you can answer that.

You want to say "I know how Carol drives," using the infinitive?? An interesting conundrum.

I can go in the other direction:

I know how one drives.

I know how a car is driven. .

But I can't say, "I know how I to drive." If I could, we'd be well on our way.

Would you settle for, "I know how Carol triesto drive."?

AlpheccaStars · Answer

BlackBlitz"I know what Carol to do" is wrong.

Indeed, it is wrong after the verb "know." But these are fine:

I know what Carol does.
I know how Carol drives.
I know that Carol knows how to drive.
I know that Carol should drive more cautiously.

Consider this:

I know how I drive. >> This is correct and has an entirely different meaning than I know how to drive.
I cannot make Carol the subject of this infinitive in this construction simply because it is impossible for me to enter Carol's body and brain and then somehow "know her" to drive!
We need a clause with a finite verb to be the object of "know" when the subjects are different.

But an infinitive phrase can work after other verbs. The subject of the infinitive is the direct object of the verb (if the infinitive phrase is omitted).

I forced Carol to do what I wanted.
I convinced Carol to do it.
I helped Carol to learn her lessons.

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