I punched Hulk in the face to mock me.(X)

Question

1. I punched Hulk in the face that mocked me.
2. I punched Hulk in the face to mock me.(X)

I think adjective to-infinitive phrases can't replace with "that" clauses unless "that" clauses modify a abstract noun in certain category, a noun modified by the superlative degree or ordinal number and express the future.

I'd like to know whether or not what I know is right.
Thank you in advance for your help.

GPY · Accepted Answer

In your second case this pattern doesn't have to express the future. For example, "He was the first man to climb Everest". There are examples like "Here is a computer to suit your needs" or "It was a dress to die for" which don't seem to fit any of your categories.

Fivejedjon · Answer

park sang joon I punched Hulk in the face that mocked me.

That doesn't seem a very natural sentence to me.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

park sang joonI think adjective to-infinitive phrases can't replace with "that" clauses unless "that" clauses modify a abstract noun in certain category, a noun modified by the superlative degree or ordinal number and express the future

You need to re-think this. Here is a good summary of the various uses of the to-infinitive:
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/verbs/infinitive

The to-infinitive as a post-modifier of an abstract noun is restricted to certain nouns, eg.

You have the opportunity to go on the trip of your life!
He had an intense desire to succeed.
Sarah felt a desperate need to run.

But I cannot change the to-infinitive to a relative (that) clause in any of the above sentences and get a natural sentence that retains the same meaning.

In the case of indefinite pronouns, or concrete nouns, conversion is possible:

When you go to jury duty, take something to read. (that you can read.)
When you go to jury duty, take a book to read. (that you can read.)
There was nobody around to ask. (who I could ask.)
He was always bored. There was nothing to do in this little town. (nothing that he could do)

Even so, I would naturally prefer the to-infinitive in the sentences above. Note the absence of some adjective of the superlative degree.

Park sang joon · Answer

Thank you, everyone, for your very very helpful answer.

I'm sorry but I want to know one more thing but one very tiresome for you.
I'd like to know abstract nouns only to-infinitive phrases can modify, not relative "that" clauses or "of~ing" phrases.

GPY · Answer

park sang joonI'd like to know abstract nouns only to-infinitive phrases can modify, not relative "that" clauses or "of~ing" phrases.

I doubt there is any noun that cannot be modified by a "that" clause. If you can think of one, please share it.

Park sang joon · Answer

Thank you, GPY, for your kind reply.

I can't, but AlpheccaStars said the following in the third post.

The to-infinitive as a post-modifier of an abstract noun is restricted to certain nouns, eg.

You have the opportunity to go on the trip of your life!
He had an intense desire to succeed.
Sarah felt a desperate need to run.

But I cannot change the to-infinitive to a relative (that) clause in any of the above sentences and get a natural sentence that retains the same meaning.

GPY · Answer

OK, we seem to have got our wires crossed. AS is talking about a "that" clause not being usable in a specific context for a specific meaning. I was talking about nouns that do not admit a "that" clause in any context. (All AS's nouns allow "that" clauses in other situations.)

Park sang joon · Answer

Thank you, GPY, for your yet another kind answer.

Then, I'd like to know whether I can't rephrase AlpheccaStars's example to the following.

1. You have the opportunity to go on the trip of your life!
2. He had an intense desire to succeed.
3. Sarah felt a desperate need to run.

1-1. You have the opportunity that I can go on the trip of your life!
2-1. He had an intense desire that he would succeed.
3-1. Sarah felt a desperate need that she should run.

GPY · Answer

park sang joonThen, I'd like to know whether I can't rephrase AlpheccaStars's example to the following.1. You have the opportunity to go on the trip of your life!2. He had an intense desire to succeed.3. Sarah felt a desperate need to run.1-1. You have the opportunity that I can go on the trip of your life!2-1. He had an intense desire that he would succeed.3-1. Sarah felt a desperate need that she should run.

To bear any resemblance to the original, the "I" in 1-1 should be "you". With that fixed, all three are intelligible but they do not read as well as the versions with the to-infinitive. 2-1 would be better with "should" instead of "would".

Park sang joon · Answer

Thank you, GPY, for your yet another kind answer. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

I punched Hulk in the face to mock me.(X)

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