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Raen Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
infinitive phrase following the verb "hope"
Here's the sentence:
Jack hopes to join the Army next month.
Answer: an infinitive phrase used as a direct object.
I defined it as: an adverb infinitive phrase used to modify the verb "hope".
I see the verb "hope' as an intransitive verb. From what I learned, an intransitive verb doesn't have a direct object to recieve the action of the verb, rather it's used, for example, with prepostions to connect with the other parts of a sentence, exmaple:
He waited for her for a long time.
Not:
He waited her a long time.
As it is with "hope":
He hopes for the best result. (intransitive verb. for the best result modifying the verb "hopes" telling how)
Not:
He hopes the best result. (the best result being the direct objective)
Would someone clarify this? Either there's misinformation in the grammar book or I was mistaken somewhere along the way? Thanks.
Raen
Jack hopes to join the Army next month.
Answer: an infinitive phrase used as a direct object.
I defined it as: an adverb infinitive phrase used to modify the verb "hope".
I see the verb "hope' as an intransitive verb. From what I learned, an intransitive verb doesn't have a direct object to recieve the action of the verb, rather it's used, for example, with prepostions to connect with the other parts of a sentence, exmaple:
He waited for her for a long time.
Not:
He waited her a long time.
As it is with "hope":
He hopes for the best result. (intransitive verb. for the best result modifying the verb "hopes" telling how)
Not:
He hopes the best result. (the best result being the direct objective)
Would someone clarify this? Either there's misinformation in the grammar book or I was mistaken somewhere along the way? Thanks.
Raen
Top answer
Within 2 minutes of the previous post, I ran into this one: I saw him trying to open the trunk. Answer: trying to open the trunk is a participial phrase modifying the direct object him/to open the trunk is a noun infinitive phrase used as the direct object to the verbal trying I have no problem with the first part of the answer, but can someone explain the 2nd part? For this one, my answer is in accordance with the grammar book's: Jim loves to play basketball.
- Within 2 minutes of the previous post, I ran into this one: I saw him trying to open the trunk.
- Answer: trying to open the trunk is a participial phrase modifying the direct object him/to open the trunk is a noun infinitive phrase used as the direct object to the verbal trying I have no problem with the first part of the answer, but can someone explain the 2nd part?
- For this one, my answer is in accordance with the grammar book's: Jim loves to play basketball.
- Answer: to play basketball is a noun infinitive phrase used as the direct object Regards Raen
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4 Answers
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Within 2 minutes of the previous post, I ran into this one:
I saw him trying to open the trunk.
Answer:
trying to open the trunk is a participial phrase modifying the direct object him/to open the trunk is a noun infinitive phrase used as the direct object to the verbal trying
I have no problem with the first part of t
I saw him trying to open the trunk.
Answer:
trying to open the trunk is a participial phrase modifying the direct object him/to open the trunk is a noun infinitive phrase used as the direct object to the verbal trying
I have no problem with the first part of t
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A phone conversation:
A: I hope...(trails off)
B: What do you hope?
A: I hope to see you soon!
B did not say "How do you hope?" B said "What do you hope?"
It requires an object - it's not an intransitive verb in this case. So the infinitive is a noun phrase, and is the direct object of hope. It is what is hoped for.
Does that make any sense?
A
A: I hope...(trails off)
B: What do you hope?
A: I hope to see you soon!
B did not say "How do you hope?" B said "What do you hope?"
It requires an object - it's not an intransitive verb in this case. So the infinitive is a noun phrase, and is the direct object of hope. It is what is hoped for.
Does that make any sense?
A
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Thank you GG, it's sinking in.
I have always thought one of the "characteristics" of an intransitive verb is that it have no direct object recieving the action of the verb because it's "intercepted" by a preposition or an infinitive "to". Wrong definition/concept then..........
I have always thought one of the "characteristics" of an intransitive verb is that it have no direct object recieving the action of the verb because it's "intercepted" by a preposition or an infinitive "to". Wrong definition/concept then..........
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The infinitive also can be considered as a adverbial modifier in "I hope to see you soon", right?
Bill
Bill
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