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Kilimanjaro Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

"Infinitives" and the meanings it yields

What conclusions can we draw from the following two sentences written in bold?

1. The next train to arrive was from York.

A) The next train that was going to arrive was from York
B) The next train that had arrived/arrived was from York
C) The next train that would have arrived was from York
D) The next train that would arrive was from York

2. The next train to have arrived was from York.

A) The next train that was going to arrive was from York
B) The next train that had arrived/arrived was from York
C) The next train that would have arrived was from York
D) The next train that would arrive was from York
  

Top answer

1. The next train to arrive was from York. = The next train that arrived was from York.

— Cool Breeze

  • 1.
  • The next train to arrive was from York.
  • = The next train that arrived was from York.
  • I would avoid a perfect infinitive (to have arrived) in that sentence.
  • CB
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3 Answers
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1. The next train to arrive was from York.
= The next train that arrived was from York.
I would avoid a perfect infinitive (to have arrived) in that sentence.
CB
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Hello Cool Breeze,

Thank you for your comment.However, I don't see a good reason why we should avoid perfect infinitive. I also think that, whether "perfect infinitive" or "to infinitive", one may well sense a future reference in both cases.
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1. can be either A or B. The infinitive, of course, has no tense marker, so the next train to arrive is either the next train that was expected to arrive or the next train that did arrive.

2. is C, to my ear. the next train to have arrived is the next train that was to have arrived or that was supposed to have arrived or that was expected to have arrived. This case has a strong c
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