0
Olgaa Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Passive or Active Infinitive
Could you help with the form of infinitive, please? Can I use active form of infinitive in the following examples?
The only sound to hear was the child's crying.
We have been flying for hours and there is no land to see. As we say for example: There is nothing more to see here.
Or it's better to say to be heard and to be seen and why?
The only sound to hear was the child's crying.
We have been flying for hours and there is no land to see. As we say for example: There is nothing more to see here.
Or it's better to say to be heard and to be seen and why?
Top answer
Can anyone consult me?
- Can anyone consult me?
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
6 Answers
0
0
I don't think there is a vast difference between the two ...
nothing to see here
nothing to be seen here
But i think the first one is more common .
nothing to see here
nothing to be seen here
But i think the first one is more common .
00
OlgaaOr it's better to say to be heard and to be seen and why?I would say to be heard and to be seen. I sense that a sound to hear, for example, gives the impression that the sound will be heard in the future, that it is a sound which should be heard, a sound which we should listen for -- which is not the inte
00
This was an unresolved question for me.
"There's one tree left to cut". Or,
"There's one tree left to be cut".
Are both equally used? Is this a case of idiomatic vs. grammatical? Thanks.
Raen
"There's one tree left to cut". Or,
"There's one tree left to be cut".
Are both equally used? Is this a case of idiomatic vs. grammatical? Thanks.
Raen
00
We usually use the active infinitive in these cases (left to cut), but with passive meaning.
The examples above, with to be heard and to be seen, appear to be exceptions to the general practice. However, the negation and the use of only in those sentences may argue for the use of the passive infinitive when certain other elements are present in the sen
The examples above, with to be heard and to be seen, appear to be exceptions to the general practice. However, the negation and the use of only in those sentences may argue for the use of the passive infinitive when certain other elements are present in the sen
00
Olgaa,
"only sound to hear" is technically correct, but sounds awkward in English. Native English speakers would say "the only sound to be heard was..."
Again, "no land to see" is technically correct, but is awkwardly worded for native English speakers. We would say "there is no land in sight". "no land to be seen is" is more correct than your former example, but still slightl
"only sound to hear" is technically correct, but sounds awkward in English. Native English speakers would say "the only sound to be heard was..."
Again, "no land to see" is technically correct, but is awkwardly worded for native English speakers. We would say "there is no land in sight". "no land to be seen is" is more correct than your former example, but still slightl
0
Related Questions