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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
How Infinitive Works
Hi teachers,
If I said, "I'm looking for someone to fix my computer.", I guess most people would think I'm looking for someone and that he/she will fix my computer. However, if I said, "I'm looking for something to fix my computer.", I am the one who fix the computer.
I think the infinitive, which is supposed to explain the purpose of something, is used correctly in the latter sentence. I wonder if the former sentence is grammatically incorrect. Or at least "someone" can't be the subject of the infinitive.
I'm getting confused. Can anyone help me out?
If I said, "I'm looking for someone to fix my computer.", I guess most people would think I'm looking for someone and that he/she will fix my computer. However, if I said, "I'm looking for something to fix my computer.", I am the one who fix the computer.
I think the infinitive, which is supposed to explain the purpose of something, is used correctly in the latter sentence. I wonder if the former sentence is grammatically incorrect. Or at least "someone" can't be the subject of the infinitive.
I'm getting confused. Can anyone help me out?
Top answer
Both are fine and common, and they have the meanings you suggest. There is no need to worry that they mean different things or that they form different grammatical relationships. You need to understand that semantics trumps structure.
- Both are fine and common, and they have the meanings you suggest.
- There is no need to worry that they mean different things or that they form different grammatical relationships.
- You need to understand that semantics trumps structure.
- Compare: Time flies like an arrow.
- Fruit flies like a banana.
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1 Answers
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Both are fine and common, and they have the meanings you suggest. There is no need to worry that they mean different things or that they form different grammatical relationships. You need to understand that semantics trumps structure. Compare:
Time flies like an arrow.
Fruit flies like a banana.
Time flies like an arrow.
Fruit flies like a banana.
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