Infinitive or ing form when using a subordinate clause as an object?

Question

Hey there,Recently, I have ventured upon this sentence:Freud’s legacy to the twentieth century is to have brought sexuality into the social.The use of infinitive construction stroke me as odd, since when I add a subordinate clause as an object, I usually use the -ing form:Freud’s legacy to the twentieth century is (his / him) having brought sexuality into the social.Which one's correct? Both, neither? And is there any technical term for this other than "a subordinate clause appended as an object" so that I could actually look it up in a grammar book?Thanks in advance!

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

It is an infinitive phrase (reduced clause) used as a noun. e.g

My favorite activity in summer is to read romance novels.

The best thing in life is to have many friends.

For past actions, the perfect infinitive is used in place of the infinitive.
This one is the perfect infinitive, passive voice.

He was to have been crowned king of England, but fate intervened.

Anonymous · Answer

Hi. Please help. Do you see anything wrong or perhaps deficient (perhaps stylistically awkward?) in any way in this sentence with the underlined part? By the way, are we looking at two noun phrases? I think we are (as marked). Thank you in advance.

(1) Freedom from undue pressure and (2) to allow a safe and supporting learning environment are two main goals of
our institution.

Witiko · Answer

Thanks a lot. When is it, however, appropriate to use the -ing form instead of the reduced clause? See the following sentences:
She commented on her having bursted out.
She commented on to have bursted out.

but:
His goal was killing his father.
His goal was to kill his father.

and:
He appears having eaten the dish.
He appears to have eaten the dish.

Is there any general rule?

Witiko · Answer

Anonymous(1) Freedom from undue pressure and (2) to allow a safe and supporting learning environment are two main goals ofour institution.

Although not being a native speaker, the only false positives I encounter when analyzing english texts are usually just me finding a correct sentence wrong, not the other way around. And your sentence sounds just about right to my ear.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Anonymous(1) Freedom from undue pressure and (2) to allow a safe and supporting learning environment are two main goals ofour institution.

It is stylistically awkward, but not incorrect.

It is better to have a compound subject in parallel structures, eg.

To give freedom from undue pressure and allow a safe and supporting learning environment are two main goals of
our institution.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

WitikoThanks a lot. When is it, however, appropriate to use the -ing form instead of the reduced clause?

Here is a very good write-up:
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:English_catenative_verbs

I cannot think of an example of the infinitive phrase as object of preposition. Perhaps that is because the infinitive marker, to, is also a preposition.

The infinitive noun phrase is most often the direct object (with catenative verbs) , and, less frequently a subject.

There are certain cases where the meaning is nearly opposite:

I forgot to lock the door.
I forgot locking the door.

Witiko · Answer

AlpheccaStarsless frequently a subject.

Yes, like the way the Anonymous poster here used it - „... to allow a safe and supporting learning environment are two main goals ...“

AlpheccaStarscatenative verbs ... There are certain cases where the meaning is nearly opposite ...

Right, I'm pretty well-versed in these, the problem is that some sentences use infinitive phrases / the -ing form freely without catenative verbs. Just like the original sentence I posted:

„Freud’s legacy to the twentieth century is to have brought sexuality into the social.“

I've found another topic concerning this issue - ing-form or to-form? - in which it is written that, generally, the -ing form signifies actions already experienced, whereas the infinitive phrase is much more hypothetical. Following this line of thinking - doesn't the usage of an infinitive phrase in the aforementioned sentence sound a trifle odd?

AlpheccaStars · Answer

WitikoI've found another topic concerning this issue - ing-form or to-form? - in which it is written that, generally, the -ing form signifies actions already experienced, whereas the infinitive phrase is much more hypothetical. Following this line of thinking - doesn't the usage of an infinitive phrase in the aforementioned sentence sound a trifle odd?

There is no difference in meaning between these:

He like to sell cars.
He likes selling cars.

You might argue that the -ing form is present action, as compared to a more "future" aspect to the infinitive form.

Your example sentence is quite formal - you don't hear this style in everyday conversation. Perhaps that is why it sounds a bit odd to you.

Witiko · Answer

Alright, thanks for bearing with me. <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 or ing form when using a subordinate clause as an object?

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