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Nicetomeetyou Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

Infinitive or that clause?

I am wondering whether the choice of 'that clause' or 'infinitives' makes a difference in the following sentences.

A) It is inconvenient that shops are closed on Sundays in Britain.

B) It is inconvenient for shops to be closed on Sundays in Britain.

  

Top answer

nicetomeetyou It is inconvenient that shops are closed on Sundays in Britain. This seems to imply that people or someone else find it convenient if shops are closed on Sundays in Britain. nicetomeetyou B) It is inconvenient for shops to be closed on Sundays in Britain.

— Vsuresh

  • nicetomeetyou It is inconvenient that shops are closed on Sundays in Britain.
  • This seems to imply that people or someone else find it convenient if shops are closed on Sundays in Britain.
  • nicetomeetyou B) It is inconvenient for shops to be closed on Sundays in Britain.
  • This seems to imply that it is convenient for the shops if they are closed on Sundays in Britain.
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3 Answers
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nicetomeetyouIt is inconvenient that shops are closed on Sundays in Britain.

This seems to imply that people or someone else find it convenient if shops are closed on Sundays in Britain.

nicetomeetyouB) It is inconvenient for shops to be closed on Sundays in Britain.

This seems to imply that it is convenient for th

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It's a close call but I think it's open to interpretation; here is mine:

nicetomeetyouA) It is inconvenient that shops are closed on Sundays in Britain.

What is inconvenient? The fact that shops are closed on Sundays in Britain is inconvenient. This is a subjective opinion; maybe someone else has a different opinion. However, no matter

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I was asked to comment on this. By default, with no other context, I would understand both (A) and (B) to mean that (i) shops are closed on Sundays in Britain, and (ii) this is inconvenient for people in general. (B) seems a slightly less precise way of saying it.

However, it is also possible to interpret (B) as meaning that it is inconvenient for the shops. This interpretation could be

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