Infinitive clause

Question

Hi,While many departments require warrants to use phone tracking in nonemergencies, others claim broad discretion to get the records on their own, according to 5,500 pages of internal records obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union from 205 police departments nationwide.Q1) Is it possible to paraphrase the first infinitive clause as follows?  It sounds a little anamolous since it's the inanimate being "warrants" that do the activity of using phone tracking.  What would be a close finite alternant?While many departments require that warrants use phone tracking in nonemergencies,... Q2) How should I interpret the meaning of the second infinitive clause?  Others claim that broad discretion is used to get the records on their own,..Is this the way to do it?I'd appreciate your help.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

jooneyWhile many departments require warrants to use phone tracking in nonemergencies, others claim broad discretion to get the records on their own, according to 5,500 pages of internal records obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union from 205 police departments nationwide.

Q1) Is it possible to paraphrase the first infinitive clause as follows? It sounds a little anamolous since it's the inanimate being "warrants" that do the activity of using phone tracking. What would be a close finite alternant?

While many departments require that warrants use phone tracking in nonemergencies,...

Q2) How should I interpret the meaning of the second infinitive clause?

Others claim that broad discretion is used to get the records on their own,..

Is this the way to do it?

No, no, no.

You've got the wrong end of the stick here.

The meaning is:

Although many police departments are required by law to obtain a warrant* before they are permitted to track phone usage in nonemergencies, other police departments are permitted to proceed as they judge it necessary - without such authorization - when obtaining these records of phone calls , according to ....

*warrant - a document issued by a court of law that gives the police the authority to do something.

Hence, require warrants to use phone tracking ~ require warrants whose purpose is to authorize the use of phone tracking and broad discretion to get records on their own ~ great leniency in the rules (allowing the police departments to judge for themselves) when it comes to using phone tracking

CJ

Mister Micawber · Answer

Q1) While many departments require that warrants be used for phone tracking in nonemergencies,...

Q2) Others claim that they have broad discretion to get the records on their own,..

Jooney · Answer

Thank you for your help, Mr. M.

Jooney · Answer

Thank you for your reply, CJ.

You've got the wrong end of the stick here.

Yes, I know.

I was wrong to paraphrase it that way.

I'd like to know which one of the following constructions the second example fits into.

Others claim broad discretion to get the records on their own.

construction 1(catenative complement):

I persuaded him to go to college.
=I persuaded him that he should go to college

costruction 2(catenative complement):

I intended her to interview both candidates.
=I intended that she should interview both candidates.

construction 3(subject infinitival relative clause):

He brought a puppy home to keep him company.
=He brought a puppy home whose purpose is to keep him company.

According to my grammar book, the verb "claim" allows construction 2, but I don't think that fits the bill here.

So consrtuction 3 probably has the closest parallel structure, but I have some doubts as to whether the sentence can stand on its own without the infinitive.

Others claim broad discretion.(?)

CalifJim · Answer

jooneyI'd like to know which one of the following constructions the second example fits into

3.

jooneyAccording to my grammar book, the verb "claim" allows construction 2, but I don't think that fits the bill here.

Agree. This unusual use of 'claim' is best glossed as 'are given', more formally, 'are granted'.

jooneyI have some doubts as to whether the sentence can stand on its own without the infinitive.

I share your view. It's a borderline case. It's fine to say that others [are granted / claim] broad discretion, but one wants to know 'discretion to do what?' or 'discretion in what sphere of activity?' Still, it's fine to say that others are afraid, and one wants to know 'afraid of what?' but that doesn't mean that the complement is absolutely necessary - certainly not in the way that a complement is necessary in "Robert put the ice-cream". Here we absolutely have to add something like "in the refrigerator". I don't think the requirement for a complement rises to such a high level in the case of 'discretion'.

CJ

Jooney · Answer

Thank you very much, CJ. <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'/>

Infinitive clause

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