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Rpsh Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Need
The fire needs (make up). Would you mind attending to it?
In the affirmative sentence, 'need' is as the same as the notional verb, following the infinitive with 'to'. Right? But the answer is 'to make up'. Why?
I think the only reason is that the 'need' here is a notional verb totally which follows a noun, e.g. I need a dictionary. But I still can't make the difference between this usage and the former one. Could you tell me the difference between them?
In the affirmative sentence, 'need' is as the same as the notional verb, following the infinitive with 'to'. Right? But the answer is 'to make up'. Why?
I think the only reason is that the 'need' here is a notional verb totally which follows a noun, e.g. I need a dictionary. But I still can't make the difference between this usage and the former one. Could you tell me the difference between them?
Top answer
rpsh the answer is 'to make up' That would yield "The fire needs to make up", which makes no sense. It's wrong. CJ
- rpsh the answer is 'to make up' That would yield "The fire needs to make up", which makes no sense.
- It's wrong.
- CJ
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8 Answers
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rpshthe answer is 'to make up'That would yield "The fire needs to make up", which makes no sense. It's wrong.
CJ
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Sorry, I made a mistake. The answer is 'making up'. However, could you tell me why you think that 'to make up' makes no sense?
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The bed needs making up.
Fires are not made up, they are started, or simply made.
Please make a fire in the fireplace.
Fires are not made up, they are started, or simply made.
Please make a fire in the fireplace.
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I even feel confused about you examples.
The bed needs making up.
But I think it's "the bed needs to be made up (by someone)", namely someone makes up the bed. Right?
The bed needs making up.
But I think it's "the bed needs to be made up (by someone)", namely someone makes up the bed. Right?
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The bed needs making up. = The bed needs to be made up.
The meaning is the same.
The first uses the gerund form; the second uses the infinitive
The dog needs bathing.
The dog needs to be bathed.
Both mean that the dog needs a bath.
The meaning is the same.
The first uses the gerund form; the second uses the infinitive
The dog needs bathing.
The dog needs to be bathed.
Both mean that the dog needs a bath.
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Got it, thank you.
Here is an another question about your answer: That would yield "The fire needs to make up", which makes no sense. It's wrong.
What does the 'yield' mean here?
Here is an another question about your answer: That would yield "The fire needs to make up", which makes no sense. It's wrong.
What does the 'yield' mean here?
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rpshWhat does the 'yield' mean here?Result in / give the result
That would give the result: "..."
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