0
Jigneshbharati Posted 9 years ago
Grammar

Not to be

For once I dreamt of having a parallel career in films outside India, but it was not to be.

http://m.rediff.com/movies/special/when-om-puri-deserved-an-oscar/20170106.htm

When Om Puri deserved an Oscar
I understand the meaning of the excerpts but could someone explain the grammatical function and part of speech of "to be" here?
  

Top answer

Jigneshbharati but it was not to be. "was + to-infinitie", here, gives an idea of destiny. )

— Anonymous

  • Jigneshbharati but it was not to be.
  • "was + to-infinitie", here, gives an idea of destiny.
  • )
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

8 Answers
0
Jigneshbharati but it was not to be.
"was + to-infinitie", here, gives an idea of destiny. (He was destined never to realize his dream.)
0
0
Jigneshbharaticould someone explain the grammatical function and part of speech of "to be"
was to be is a catenative construction in which "was" is a finite verb and "to be" an infinitive.
0
0
does it function as complement?
0
0
Jigneshbharati does it function as complement?
What do you mean by "it"?
0
0
if "was" is a finite verb what is the grammatical function of "non finite" infinitive, is it an object or adverb or adjective or subject complement?
0
0
Jigneshbharati what is the grammatical function of "non finite" infinitive
It is a complement of the catenative "was".
0
0
Perfect! Is it a noun because infinitive can be a noun?
0
0
Jigneshbharati Perfect! Is it a noun because infinitive can be a noun?
No, it's a verb. By the way, I doubt it very much that an infinitive can be a noun. There are some who say that the infinitives are used as nouns, which, in my opinion, is wrong. Infinitive may function as subjects or complements but not as nouns. There are verbal nouns but they are called
0

Related Questions