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Seagull Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Preparatory object
#1 Tom found it hard to come up to Bob in mathematics.
#2 Tom found it hard that he comes up to Bob in mathematics.
#3 Tom found it hard that he came up to Bob in mathematics.
Can we rewrite #1 for #2 or #3? I don't think it's possible because they sound odd to me. However, I can't explain how and why they are wrong. What are your thoughts? Besides, is it possible to make a sentence that means the same as #1 by using the "(Tom) found it hard that ..." construction?
#2 Tom found it hard that he comes up to Bob in mathematics.
#3 Tom found it hard that he came up to Bob in mathematics.
Can we rewrite #1 for #2 or #3? I don't think it's possible because they sound odd to me. However, I can't explain how and why they are wrong. What are your thoughts? Besides, is it possible to make a sentence that means the same as #1 by using the "(Tom) found it hard that ..." construction?
Top answer
The problem with 2 aqnd 3 is that you had a "that clause" construction, which made it sound awkward. # 1 is somewhat understood but not idiomatically smooth, nor it waas clear. I would word it this way: Tom found it hard to come up to Bob with mathematic questions.
- The problem with 2 aqnd 3 is that you had a "that clause" construction, which made it sound awkward.
- # 1 is somewhat understood but not idiomatically smooth, nor it waas clear.
- I would word it this way: Tom found it hard to come up to Bob with mathematic questions.
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9 Answers
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The problem with 2 aqnd 3 is that you had a "that clause" construction, which made it sound awkward. # 1 is somewhat understood but not idiomatically smooth, nor it waas clear. I would word it this way: Tom found it hard to come up to Bob with mathematic questions.
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seagullCan we rewrite #1 for #2 or #3?No. Simply because the structure is 'hard to do'.
seagulls it possible to make a sentence that means the same as #1 by using the "(Tom) found it hard that ..." construction?I don't think so. The best I can do: Tom found it hard coming up to Bob in mathematics.
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grammarfreakwith mathematics questions.I don't think that is what is meant: they are not writing questions.
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Thank you very much indeed, Mister Micawber.
The difference between #1 and #2&3 comes from the fact that 'to come to Bob' is a 'target' while 'that he comes/came up to Bob' is a 'fact.' Can we understand that way?
The difference between #1 and #2&3 comes from the fact that 'to come to Bob' is a 'target' while 'that he comes/came up to Bob' is a 'fact.' Can we understand that way?
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seagullThe difference between #1 and #2&3 comes from the fact that 'to come to Bob' is a 'target' while 'that he comes/came up to Bob' is a 'fact.' Can we understand that way?Actually, I had thought about that for a moment, but I don't think that is the problem: the problem is in the particular semantics. If he succeeds in 'coming up' (as he does in #2 and #3
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Thank you so much again, Mister Micawber.
I think that 'target' might not have been a right word.
Isn't it possible to consider that 'to infinitives' represent 'the idea that if someone is to do something?
'to come up to Bob' = the idea of 'if Tom is to come up to Bob'
'to fail his exam' = the idea of 'if he is to fail his exam'
I am pretty sure that explai
I think that 'target' might not have been a right word.
Isn't it possible to consider that 'to infinitives' represent 'the idea that if someone is to do something?
'to come up to Bob' = the idea of 'if Tom is to come up to Bob'
'to fail his exam' = the idea of 'if he is to fail his exam'
I am pretty sure that explai
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seagullIsn't it possible to consider that 'to infinitives' represent 'the idea that if someone is to do something?Yes, infinitives in general represent the potential, the not-yet-realized, and that is handy to remember, though it reveals itself in many different forms and sometimes is only a marginal aspect of what is being said.
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