infinitive

Question

Hi,When the adjective is before a noun, the infinitive is usually after the noun. *It is a good wine to keep.Does usually mean few exceptions not regarded?If so, can you say an example?Easy, difficult, and impossible can not be used in this structure,* when the subject of the clause is the subject of the following verb.She has difficulty learning maths. and notShe is difficult to learn maths  Could somebody, please, explain to me what the 'when' noun clause in pink means?(from Swan PEU p 260)Thanks

Goodman · Accepted Answer

InchoateknowledgeHi,

When the adjective is before a noun, the infinitive is usually after the noun. *

It is a good wine to keep.

Does usually mean few exceptions not regarded?

If so, can you say an example?

Easy, difficult, and impossible can not be used in this structure,* when the subject of the clause is the subject of the following verb.

She has difficulty learning maths.

and not

She is difficult to learn maths

Could somebody, please, explain to me what the 'when' noun clause in pink means?

(from Swan PEU p 260)

Thanks

How about "Math, for her, is difficult to learn"?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

When the adjective is before a noun, the infinitive is usually after the noun. *

It is a good wine to keep.

Does usually mean few exceptions not regarded?

If so, can you say an example?

Perhaps "I bought an easy to use corkscrew", although some people would hypenate 'easy-to-use'.

Easy, difficult, and impossible can not be used in this structure,* <<< what structure? when the subject of the clause is the subject of the following verb.

She has difficulty learning maths.

and not

She is difficult to learn maths

Could somebody, please, explain to me what the 'when' noun clause in pink means?

(from Swan PEU p 260) I think you have a different edition of Swan than I do, as I was not able to find your reference. Can you quote a bit more, including any other examples he gives? What's the section heading?

Best wishes, Clive

Inchoateknowledge · Answer

Clive
Hi,

When the adjective is before a noun, the infinitive is usually after the noun. *

It is a good wine to keep.

Does usually mean few exceptions not regarded?

If so, can you say an example?

Perhaps "I bought an easy to use corkscrew", although some people would hypenate 'easy-to-use'.

Easy, difficult, and impossible can not be used in this structure,* <<< what structure? when the subject of the clause is the subject of the following verb.

She has difficulty learning maths.

and not

She is difficult to learn maths

Could somebody, please, explain to me what the 'when' noun clause in pink means?

(from Swan PEU p 260) I think you have a different edition of Swan than I do, as I was not able to find your reference. Can you quote a bit more, including any other examples he gives? What's the section heading?

Best wishes, Clive

Hi Clive

I have the 2005 3rd edition

Infinitives after adjectives, easy to please (284/4)

Easy, difficult, and impossible can not be used in this structure,* <<< what structure? This one: when the subject of the clause is the subject of the following verb.

note the asterisks

I have quoted the entire section

Thanks for Goodman too

Inchoateknowledge · Answer

"what structure?"
When the adjective is before a noun, the infinitive is usually after the noun.
sorry

Cool Breeze · Answer

Hi Incho

I am not quite sure I understand your question, which may (or may not) be due to there being some Hungarian influence in your English.

(Absolutely no offence meant. I like your scholarly thoroughness.)

If you begin a sentence with a so-called preparatory it and employ to be, you get sentences like these:

It is a difficult question to answer.
It is a difficult question for me to answer.

'She is difficult to learn maths' is wrong. You should say 'It is difficult for her to learn maths'.

In the above incorrect sentence she is the subject of the clause and 'she' would also do the learning; in other words, she would be the subject of the infinitive to learn as well if the sentence were correct. Is that what you mean?

Cheers
CB

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