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Hothead2692 Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Infinitive phrase as a Subject Complement
"They are to protect the leader at all cost"
I already know the infinitive act as a subject complement but what I really want to know is its function to the subject. Does the infinitive act as a noun, adverbial, or adjective?
I already know the infinitive act as a subject complement but what I really want to know is its function to the subject. Does the infinitive act as a noun, adverbial, or adjective?
Top answer
As far as I know, an infinitive cannot be a subject complement. A subject complement further describes the subject (complements the subject) and normally only nouns, pronouns and adjectives can fill that role.
- As far as I know, an infinitive cannot be a subject complement.
- A subject complement further describes the subject (complements the subject) and normally only nouns, pronouns and adjectives can fill that role.
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2 Answers
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As far as I know, an infinitive cannot be a subject complement. A subject complement further describes the subject (complements the subject) and normally only nouns, pronouns and adjectives can fill that role.
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'Are' is not a linking verb in this sentence. 'Are to' functions as a quasi modal, rather like 'have to'.
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