Gramar

Question

wich one is correct?The house was too expensive to buy.The house was too expensive to be bought.

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

Both are correct. In English there are cases in which both the active and the passive infinitive can be used.

CB

Anonymous · Answer

Passive voice (to be bought) implies "bought by any person" while active voice implies "a particular person who wants to buy it." In the second sentence, "too expensive to be bought" may also imply that the house could be given away, or won, or traded for something extremely valuable. Examples to further clarify: to buy = "The house was too expensive for my sister to buy." versus to be bought = "The house was too expensive to be bought by anyone, so it did not sell for a long time." or "The house was too expensive to be bought, but my uncle was able to get it by trading 300 acres of land and 10 years of his services as a doctor."

As you can see by these examples, passive voice can be confusing and can imply many meanings. Active voice is considered to be more precise and grammatically clear. When writing, use active voice whenever possible.

Soumaya yusuf · Answer

yes both are  correct as Cool Breeze

TheEnglishTeacher · Answer

Sorry, I did not have an account when I posted this, but now I do!

Passive voice (to be bought) implies "bought by any person" while active voice implies "a particular person who wants to buy it." In the second sentence, "too expensive to be bought" may also imply that the house could be given away, or won, or traded for something extremely valuable. Examples to further clarify: to buy = "The house was too expensive for my sister to buy." versus to be bought = "The house was too expensive to be bought by anyone, so it did not sell for a long time." or "The house was too expensive to be bought, but my uncle was able to get it by trading 300 acres of land and 10 years of his services as a doctor."

As you can see by these examples, passive voice can be confusing and can imply many meanings. Active voice is considered to be more precise and grammatically clear. When writing, use active voice whenever possible.

Grammarfreak · Answer

From the natural point of view, these two sentences, all though considered correct grammatically, are the something a native speaker would utter. When we say "something is too expensive", the meaning of buying is implied. For example:
You are looking for a used car about 3-5 years old and whiling browsing through a used car lot, a "used car" salesman tried to sell you a 5 year-old BMW 3 series for $20K, you would just say " that is too expensive ...", and leave out " to buy".

The second version construction " too expensive to be bought " should be avoided in my opinion.

There are times, when we don't want to implicate the names of people, or intend to focus on the matter rather than people,
passive voice is necessary. Having said that, if conceived and written well, there shouldn't be confusion at all. Considered this scenario. House hunter to his agent : I really like the house and want to make another on it. The only issue I have with it is the interior color; as you can see, it is painted baby pink! throughout ......".

TheEnglishTeacher · Answer

Grammarfreak is correct: simple is better. "The house is too expensive." is enough. You don't really need the rest unless you want to clarify who is buying or how the house is being acquired.

Grammarfreak · Answer

Sorry about the mental error. Let me say it again.

From the natural point of view, these two sentences, all though considered correct grammatically, are [ not ] something a native speaker would utter. When we say "something is too expensive", the meaning of buying is implied.

Gramar

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