I bought a knife to cut bread with.

Question

(1) I bought a knife to cut bread with.I think possible interpretations of (1) would be:a) I bought a knife with which I/you/one can cut bread. (This implies that not all knives are appropriate for cutting bread; I bought one with which it's possible to cut bread)b) I bought a knife with which I intend to cut bread. (This is talking more about my intentions than the type of knife)(2) I bought a knife to cut bread. (This means I bought the knife in order to cut bread; purpose, intentions)Q: What would be the difference in meaning between sentence (1) with interpretation (b) and sentence (2), which both only suggest my intention to cut bread? In other words, if it's interpretation (b), can I say that the preposition "with" is optional in sentence (1)?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Rizan Malik can I say that the preposition "with" is optional in sentence (1)?

No. The meaning changes slightly with or without it.The second is more like you will be cutting it soon.

Both sentence 1 and 2 mean that you intend to cut bread with the knife you bought. If you wanted to say that you bought a knife suitable for the cutting of bread, you could actually say that or say that you bought a bread knife. No one would imagine you meant that by either sentence.

By the way, my bread knife is the best ten dollars I ever spent. I don't know how I got along without one all those years.

Anonymous · Answer

The sentence, "I bought a knife to cut bread with.", would be interpreted in English as meaning you bought a knife that is designed to cut bread, that is, "a bread knife." A bread knife is a lightly-constructed knife with a serrated edge that is intended to cut bread only, not meat or fruits or vegetables.

I bought a knife to cut bread with.

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