Nonfinite modifier

Question

HelloIm trying to understand infinitive Vs ing uses as modifier, The first question is how to tell if non finite is noun or modifier: Not able to spot difference in nominal vs adverb modifier infinitive in following Eg. I like to study/studying vs he went to work To study us a noun whereas to work is adverb modifier Even though to sudy also complements verb like. http://www.english-for-students.com/the-infinitive-as-a-modifier.html 2 can we use participles as adverbs or just as adjective 3. As adjective  modifier when is infinitive prefered and when do we prefer participles adjective? Eg.  Should i say, the ship began to roll or rolling as modifier  and why? (assuming it is a  modifier not a noun) If i say the ship began rolling would this be a noun Also Iknow that after adjective  we always use infintice so that no problem.4. reduced relative clause.When to use to participles vs infinitve modifier Plane to arrive vs plane arriving?Can both be used interchangeably

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

anonymousIm trying to understand infinitive Vs ing uses as modifier,

I'm trying to understand the infinitive Vs ~~ing~~ the present participle used as a modifier.

anonymousThe first question is how to tell if the non-finite verb form is a noun or modifier

That is easy. They are used as a noun if they function as a subject or an object in a sentence. Standing alone, they have no identifiable function. They must be analyzed in the context of a sentence.

"Like" is in the class of verbs called catenative verbs. Thee verbs can be followed by another verb in the form of an infinitive or present participle.

Eg. I like to study. The infinitive is the complement of the verb "like".

Eg. I like studying. The gerund is the complement of the verb "like".

anonymoushe went to work ... to work is adverb modifier

That is not correct.

He went to work. = He went to the place where he does his job. "to work" is a prepositional phrase.

1. "Work" is not a verb. It is a noun. This is the most likely interpretation. "to work" is a prepositional phrase, an adverb of place.

2. He went there to work. "to work" is an infinitive, and adverbial of purpose. In contexts where the meaning is clear, "there" may be omitted.

anonymousIf i say the ship began rolling would this be a noun

No. "rolling" is a verb. "Begin" is a catenative verb that can be followed by the participle or the infinitive. The infinitive is the most common.

We have explained these concepts to you before, and given you links to web sites for further study.

Memorize the list of catenative verbs. They are very useful in understanding non-finite verb complements.

anonymoushttp://www.english-for-students.com/the-infinitive-as-a-modifier.html

That web site has some misinformation. If you use this as a guide, you will be confused.

CalifJim · Answer

anonymous~~Im trying to understand infinitive Vs ing uses as modifier,~~
I'm trying to understand the use of infinitives and gerund-participles as modifiers.

Throughout your post you use "modifier" very liberally. Many of the grammatical phenomena you're asking about have nothing to do with modification even though you keep saying "modifiers".

There are not many ways that either of these verb forms is used as a modifier, and they're all special cases of relative clauses.

For the infinitival you have these two patterns:

Jenny bought a jar [to keep the cookies in].
Jenny bought a jar [in which to keep the cookies].

For the gerund-participle you have this pattern:

The barber [cutting my hair] was Jack.

In all three cases above I've bracketed the modifier.

CJ

CalifJim · Answer

anonymousI like to study/studying ...
Should I say, The ship began to roll or rolling ~~as modifier~~

These are not modifiers.

With these questions you're asking about catenative verbs. If you use Google to research "catenative verbs", you will find a lot of websites that will help you understand this topic.

'like' and 'begin' are catenative verbs, as are about a hundred other verbs.

Each catenative verb is followed by another verb (which need not be catenative). We say that the second verb and all its dependents is the complement of the catenative verb — not a modifier.

Each catenative verb governs which form its complement verb must take. Some catenative verbs govern only one form; others govern more than one.

'like' must take an infinitive or an -ing form. 'begin' also takes those two forms. There are extremely few catenative verbs of this kind which have different meanings when one or the other of the verb forms is used. In the case of 'like' and 'begin' and most other catenative verbs that can take more than one form, you can use either form without changing the meaning.

I like studying. = I like to study.
The ship began rolling. = The ship began to roll.

CJ

Nonfinite modifier

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