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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
passive infinitive following an adjective
Hi,
Somewhere I read this kind of rules - "you cannot use passive infinitive if it is to be followed by an adjective." Take some following examples:
1. Metal is not easy to be digested. (incorrect)
Correct - Metal is not easy to digest.
2. Our boss is difficult to be pleased. (incorrect)
Correct - Our boss is difficult to please.
3. He is too weak to be moved. (incorrect)
correct - He is too weak to move.
--- ?????
Are all these true?
However, I have doubt. Please clarify it.
Thanks! in advance.
Somewhere I read this kind of rules - "you cannot use passive infinitive if it is to be followed by an adjective." Take some following examples:
1. Metal is not easy to be digested. (incorrect)
Correct - Metal is not easy to digest.
2. Our boss is difficult to be pleased. (incorrect)
Correct - Our boss is difficult to please.
3. He is too weak to be moved. (incorrect)
correct - He is too weak to move.
--- ?????
Are all these true?
However, I have doubt. Please clarify it.
Thanks! in advance.
Top answer
" That's only true for tough adjectives. 'easy' and 'difficult' are tough adjectives. 'weak' is not.
- " That's only true for tough adjectives.
- 'easy' and 'difficult' are tough adjectives.
- 'weak' is not.
- So your 1 and 2 are correct, but your 3 is wrong.
- Both sentences in 3 are correct.
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1 Answers
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AnonymousSomewhere I read this kind of rules - "you cannot use passive infinitive if it is to be followed by an adjective."That's only true for tough adjectives. 'easy' and 'difficult' are tough adjectives. 'weak' is not. So your 1 and 2 are correct, but your 3 is wrong. Both sentences in 3 are correct.
See
CJ
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