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Maple Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
"easy to (be) memorize(d)"?
Memorize is a transitive verb.
(1)This rule is easy to memorize.
(2)This rule is easy to be memorized.
Are both correct? What's the difference then?
Thanks in advance as usual.
Maple
(1)This rule is easy to memorize.
(2)This rule is easy to be memorized.
Are both correct? What's the difference then?
Thanks in advance as usual.
Maple
Top answer
(2) is wrong. My intuition, fwiw, is that the verb in (1) is like a contraction of This rule is easy for someone to memorize.
- (2) is wrong.
- My intuition, fwiw, is that the verb in (1) is like a contraction of This rule is easy for someone to memorize.
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10 Answers
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(2) is wrong.
My intuition, fwiw, is that the verb in (1) is like a contraction of
This rule is easy for someone to memorize.
My intuition, fwiw, is that the verb in (1) is like a contraction of
This rule is easy for someone to memorize.
00
Only the first is correct.
This rule is easy to memorize. = This rule is such that [for someone to memorize this rule] is easy.= It is easy to memorize this rule. = People can memorize this rule easily.= This rule can be memorized easily. (The last one here brings in the passive you seemed to be concerned about.)
The lesson is easy to understand.
The tree is easy
This rule is easy to memorize. = This rule is such that [for someone to memorize this rule] is easy.= It is easy to memorize this rule. = People can memorize this rule easily.= This rule can be memorized easily. (The last one here brings in the passive you seemed to be concerned about.)
The lesson is easy to understand.
The tree is easy
00
Thank you Mr Alienvoord
I know (1) is certainly much more common, but is it the case th
I know (1) is certainly much more common, but is it the case th
00
Thank you Mr CJ. I just saw your reply.
So the crux of this problem is the "be easy to" structure, not "understand".
Your comments are very helpful. I'm thinking it over.
So the crux of this problem is the "be easy to" structure, not "understand".
Your comments are very helpful. I'm thinking it over.
00
Yes. It has to do with the properties of the adjective easy.
Of course there are other adjectives with the same properties.
CJ
Of course there are other adjectives with the same properties.
CJ
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Yes. It has to do with the properties of the adjective easy.
Interesting. I vaguely remember something from Chomsky that I learned in a class many, many years ago - I think he gave "He is easy to please" and "He is eager to please" as two sentences with similar surface structure but different "deep structure." You could, in fact, say "
Interesting. I vaguely remember something from Chomsky that I learned in a class many, many years ago - I think he gave "He is easy to please" and "He is eager to please" as two sentences with similar surface structure but different "deep structure." You could, in fact, say "
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Hi,
I have to admit, this usage is a challenge to my ability of comprehension. (though most times one can use it properly even without thinking)
If you have any more clues or summaries, sharing them will be greatly appreciated.
I have to admit, this usage is a challenge to my ability of comprehension. (though most times one can use it properly even without thinking)
If you have any more clues or summaries, sharing them will be greatly appreciated.
00
Hi, CJ or Khoff or anyone concerned about this usage
"He is easy to please" = One can easily please him. = He can be easily pleased by others. Right?
"He is eager to please" = He is wanting to be helpful to others. Right?
And how about "He is eager to be pleased" ? ="He is wanting the others to make him glad" ??
"He is easy to please" = One can easily please him. = He can be easily pleased by others. Right?
"He is eager to please" = He is wanting to be helpful to others. Right?
And how about "He is eager to be pleased" ? ="He is wanting the others to make him glad" ??
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Maple,
You've got it!
easy to please = easy for someone to please him
eager to please = *eager for himself to please others
eager to be pleased = eager for others to please him
*ungrammatical, but illustrative!
Jim
You've got it!
easy to please = easy for someone to please him
eager to please = *eager for himself to please others
eager to be pleased = eager for others to please him
*ungrammatical, but illustrative!
Jim
00
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