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Jooney Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Infinitive

Hi,

They promised us to be on time.

What is the 'understood' subject of the infinitive? Is it 'they' or 'we'?

I would appreciate an answer. Thanks.
  

Top answer

The verb "promise" is a catenative verb - it is followed by an infinitive phrase as object: They promised to be on time. If you want to use an indirect object (us), then use a clause as the direct object: They promised us that they would be on time.

— AlpheccaStars

  • The verb "promise" is a catenative verb - it is followed by an infinitive phrase as object: They promised to be on time.
  • If you want to use an indirect object (us), then use a clause as the direct object: They promised us that they would be on time.
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6 Answers
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The verb "promise" is a catenative verb - it is followed by an infinitive phrase as object:

They promised to be on time.

If you want to use an indirect object (us), then use a clause as the direct object:

They promised us that they would be on time.
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jooneyIs it 'they' or 'we'?
'they'.

The structure is quite different from sentences like

They expected us to be on time

where the subject of the infinitive is 'us' ('we').

CJ
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jooneyHi, They promised us to be on time. What is the 'understood' subject of the infinitive? "They" Is it 'they' or 'we'? I would appreciate an answer. Thanks.
c45
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Thank you for the prompt reply, Astars.

So you don't think the sentence is grammatically correct?

But it seems possible that the verb 'promise' can take an object, as shown in the following example.

Liz promised me to phone at six.

This example is taken from my grammar book.
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It is clearer if you use the clause with an indirect object after the verb promise.

Then there is no confusion at all about an subject of an infinitive.

This version sounds much more natural:

Liz promised to phone me at six.

And it is not to be confused with:

Liz asked (wanted, told, etc.)me to phone at six. (which ha
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Thank you Astars, CJ, and C45 for answering my question. I really appreciate your help.Emotion: smile I've been studying infinitive construcions
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