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Tashiro Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Grammar 3
Hi, please help me.
"There's a worthwhile argument to be had about the future fight in Afghanistan."
I have never seen "have" used as a passive verb.
For example, "a worthwhile argument is had about the future fight in Afghanistan."
I was taught it is impossible to use certain verbs as a passive verb -- such as "become", "resemble", and so forth.
Is it possible to use these verbs as a passive infinitive with a "to"?
I have one more question. Is it possible to change "...to be had..." into "... to have..." in the sentence above.
"There's a worthwhile argument to be had about the future fight in Afghanistan."
I have never seen "have" used as a passive verb.
For example, "a worthwhile argument is had about the future fight in Afghanistan."
I was taught it is impossible to use certain verbs as a passive verb -- such as "become", "resemble", and so forth.
Is it possible to use these verbs as a passive infinitive with a "to"?
I have one more question. Is it possible to change "...to be had..." into "... to have..." in the sentence above.
Top answer
I suspect it is just idiomatic ('to be had' = available), but it does occur with other verbs: There's a lot to be learned about those people. There's much to be admired in the way they have recovered. etc.
- I suspect it is just idiomatic ('to be had' = available), but it does occur with other verbs: There's a lot to be learned about those people.
- There's much to be admired in the way they have recovered.
- etc.
- = We/People can have a worthwhile argument about the future fight in Afghanistan.
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5 Answers
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I suspect it is just idiomatic ('to be had' = available), but it does occur with other verbs:
There's a lot to be learned about those people.
There's much to be admired in the way they have recovered.
etc.
You can use 'have' if you reorganize:
There's a worthwhile argument to be had about the future fight in Afghanistan.= We/Peop
There's a lot to be learned about those people.
There's much to be admired in the way they have recovered.
etc.
You can use 'have' if you reorganize:
There's a worthwhile argument to be had about the future fight in Afghanistan.= We/Peop
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Thank you for the reply.
I heard the sentences below have the same meanings.
It is true?
"There is a lot of work to be done." and "There is a lot of work to do."
"There remain sevral challenges to be overcome." and "There remain several challenges to overcome."
I heard the sentences below have the same meanings.
It is true?
"There is a lot of work to be done." and "There is a lot of work to do."
"There remain sevral challenges to be overcome." and "There remain several challenges to overcome."
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tashiroI have never seen "have" used as a passive verb.Well, there's a first time for everything!
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