How much would it cost us to replace?

Question

1. How much would it cost us to replace? 2. How much would the tire cost us to replace?

#1 is quoted from a dictionary. There is no context.
Since "replace" is a transitive verb, it should have an object. But where is the object?
Is #2 also acceptable?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

1. How much would it cost us to replace? 2. How much would the tire cost us to replace?

#1 is quoted from a dictionary. There is no context.
Since "replace" is a transitive verb, it should have an object. But where is the object? It would have been mentioned earlier in the context, and is thus assumed.
eg I think we need one new tire. How much would it cost us to replace (the tire)?

Is #2 also acceptable? Yes.

Clive

Goodman · Answer

This is what I would say since there are often unspecified costs with verbal quote for the purchase of tires, especially over the phone.

How much would the tire cost , including tax, disposal, installation and balancing? Just my thought...

CalifJim · Answer

With preposed (dummy) subject it:

It would cost us $100 to replace the tire.< To replace the tire would cost us $100.
It would cost us $400 to replace the tires.< To replace the tires would cost us $400.

With preposed it and pronomial forms for tire / tires:

It would cost us $100 to replace it.
It would cost us $400 to replace them.
______

With pronomial subject it / they:

It would cost us $100 to replace. < The tire would cost us $100 to replace. < To replace the tire would cost us $100.
They would cost us $100 to replace.< The tires would cost us $400 to replace. < To replace the tires would cost us $400.
______

Based on the examples above, the it in How much would it cost us to replace? is pronomial it, not preposed dummy it. So it means How much would the tire cost us to replace? as you suspected, or, if not a tire, then some other it. As Clive says, the actual referent of it could be inferred only from earlier conversation.

The movement of the whole infinitive phrase (to replace the tire) from subject position to the end allows replacement with dummy it. The movement of only part of the infinitive phase to the end (leaving its object at the beginning) does not allow replacement with dummy it. The infinitival object then becomes the subject of the sentence. Very few verbs can take such rough handling.

______

By the way, take works in a similar way.

It would take two hours to replace the tire(s). (preposed)
It would take two hours to replace it/them (preposed)
It (the tire) would take two hours to replace. (pronomial)
They (the tires) would take two hours to replace. (pronomial)

CJ

Sitifan · Answer

Thank you, Jim. An excellent analysis!

How much would it cost us to replace?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions