Modals and Probability

Question

Hello everybody,I have a question to ask.The story goes like this:It's been snowing all night.(2a) It might be difficult driving to work tomorrow. OR(2b) It might be difficult to drive to work tomorrow.How shoult I say - 2a or 2b? Is there a rule to regulate things like that?Thanks,Magixo

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

As a rule of thumb, use the infinitive after an adjective:

It's impossible to do that.
It's easy to learn foreign languages.
It may be difficult to win the match.

It is true that the gerund is used in some cases instead of the infinitive:

It was nice talking to you.

There rarely is a reason to use the gerund, though.

CB

Magixo · Answer

Great explanation CoolBreez!

What is your favourite Grammar Book? I like explanations of the type you have just given. Maybe some books may help me.

Thanks,

Magixo

Cool Breeze · Answer

magixoWhat is your favourite Grammar Book?

I'm pleased you like my explanation![Y]

Thank you for that. I don't really have a favourite grammar book - and I haven't read a grammar book for about 30 years anyway. I think for basic elementary things like the use of the gerund and the infinitive a grammar book written by somebody who speaks your native language is the best option; provided of course that such a book has been written by someone who knows English grammar well and is able to present his thoughts in a lucid way.

I learned English grammar as a schoolboy. I was lucky to have an excellent Finnish teacher of English, and the grammar books used in my school were all written by Finns and would therefore be of no use to you.

I have read lots of grammar books written by people of other nationalities as well. Many of them are really meant for very advanced students and linguists rather than the average student. Examples: Otto Jespersen, Essentials of English Grammar; R.W. Zandvoort, A Handbook of English Grammar; Thomson & Martinet, A Practical English Grammar; Curme, Syntax. One that is easy to understand and is generally considered good is Michael Swan's Practical English Usage.

People who don't speak your mother tongue are usually unable to compare the two languages, your native language and English, and that puts them at a clear disadvantage. That's why, in my opinion, a student is better off with a book written by a knowledgeable person who speaks the student's native language in addition to English.

On the other hand, a non-native speaker's command of English rarely equals that of a native speaker, which in turn puts him at a disadvantage. Even though many grammatical problems encountered by beginners are a piece of cake for him, and he knows why the student makes the kind of mistakes he makes, a non-native's knowledge of English is virtually always imperfect in comparison with a native's.

I suppose a grammar book written by both a native speaker and a person who speaks your language would be ideal - but does such a thing exist? Probably not.

CB

Modals and Probability

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