Gammatical issues..

Question

Though to be read is not motive which impels the author to write, his motive is other, once he has written his desire is to be read, and in order to achieve that he must do his best to make what he writes readable.

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Hi~~

The above paragraph looks to me to be lacking some grammatical points at the underlined parts. Is my opinion about that paragraph correct? I rewrote it like below. Also I inserted a comma after "writeen" and "that". And how about "his motive is other"? Would like to see what native speakers think on this....

Though to be read is not THE motive which impels An author to write ? his motive is other ? once he has written, his desire is to be read, and in order to achieve that, he must do his best to make IT readable THAT he writes.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

pructusThough to be read is not motive which impels the author to write, his motive is other, once he has written his desire is to be read, and in order to achieve that he must do his best to make what he writes readable.

The sententence is natural to me, although a bit dated.

"His motive is other" = "his motive is something else."

His motive is other than what you might think.

Don't use it in casual conversation!

"Motive" may be countable or uncountable, BTW.

You should try to make what you sing enjoyable. (This is natural.)

CalifJim · Answer

pructusto make IT readable THAT he writes.

This part is not so good. I would leave the original as is or substitute to make his writing readable.

Though to be read is not the motive which impels an author to write -- his motive is otherwise -- once he has written, his desire is to be read, and in order to achieve that he must do his best to make his writing readable.

I would say that a comma after achieve that is optional.

otherwise can be used adjectivally to mean 'different'. The original other is also possible there. Both strike me as literary, which may or may not be what you want.

CJ

Pructus · Answer

Thanks a lot, Avangi...

It's difficult to see why "the" is not used before "motive".....

Things specified should be used with "the", this is what I have learned and heard.

Pructus · Answer

Thanks a lot, CalifJim.....

I was thinking the structure "He made it clear that he does not want to go there", the grammar book teaching that if direct object is too long, then change it into "it ~~ that" structure.

I guess the structure of "what S+V" does not fit into this "it ~~ that" sturucture.

Avangi · Answer

pructusIt's difficult to see why "the" is not used before "motive"..
Things specified should be used with "the", this is what I have learned and heard.

I think your rule is good but doesn't exactly apply here.

Though to be read is not motive which impels the author to write .

If you can call it "stuff," it's uncountable.

Perhaps if you change it to "motivation," the distinction between countable and uncountable as it applies to this phrase will become apparent.

Possibly you're putting the cart before the horse. There's nothing wrong with using the article. The only problem is, it changes the author's intent.
By using the article, you then specify!

Though *********** is not material which is suitable for the classroom,
In this example, you have no choice but to omit the article, because "material" has no countable sense.
Does this possibly help you to see how an uncountable sense may be desired by the author?

If you wanted to specify, and use the definite article, you'd say,
Though *********** is not the sort of material etc.

You could use "not the sort of motive" in your original example, with far less damage to the author's intent than adding the definite article alone.

CalifJim · Answer

pructusI guess the structure of "what S+V" does not fit into this "it ~~ that" sturucture.

Your guess is correct. what and that are different. Only "that ..." can become "it ... that ...".

He made [ his demands ] clear.

He made [ that he doesn't like spinach ] clear.
He made it= clear [ =that he doesn't like spinach ].

CJ

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