I am preparing to leave.
I am preparing to leave.
1) Does the to leave function as a noun phrase like to leave in I want to leave?
2) Does the to leave function as an adverb phrase like to leave with you in I am here to leave with you?
What do you native English speakers think?
Thank you so much as usual!
Top answer
I am preparing to leave . It's neither. "Prepare" is called a 'catenative' verb, and hence this is a catentative construction where the underlined to -infinitival clause is catenative complement of "preparing".
- I am preparing to leave .
- It's neither.
- "Prepare" is called a 'catenative' verb, and hence this is a catentative construction where the underlined to -infinitival clause is catenative complement of "preparing".
- Note that the same applies to your "I want to leave", where the infinitival clause "to leave" is catenative complement of "want".
- The word 'catenative' comes from the Latin word for "chain", which is appropriate here since "prepare" and "leave" form a chain of verbs.
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I am preparing to leave.
It's neither.
"Prepare" is called a 'catenative' verb, and hence this is a catentative construction where the underlined to-infinitival clause is catenative complement of "preparing".
Note that the same applies to your "I want to leave", where the infinitival clause "to leave" is catenative complement of "want".
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