I have not had anything [to eat] for three days.

Question

I have not had anything to eat for three days.[Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham]I'd like to know if "anything to eat" means "anything able to eat."Thank you in advance for your help.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

park sang joonI'd like to know if "anything to eat" means "anything able to eat."

No. "anything able to eat" would be something like a dog, a tiger, or a bear because these are 'things' (animals) that are able to eat.

"anything to eat" = (any) food

Do you have anything to eat? (Is there any food here?)
I am not hungry because I have already had something to eat.
I'm sorry I can't offer you anything to eat. There is nothing to eat in my house just now.

You are right that the sense of "able" occurs in these constructions, but not as you have paraphrased them. The subject of the main clause is typically the subject of "can" or "might" in the paraphrase of the infinitive. I have not had anything that I might eat.

The words something, anything, and nothing often occur with infinitives:

something to do, anything to drink, nothing to read, anything to say

CJ

I have not had anything [to eat] for three days.

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions