Sth to be done/ sth to do

Question

There are many problems to be solved in reading a book well.Above all, there is a problem to define.sth to be done / sth to do Does the two patterns express the same meaning?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Sinbadsunny reading a book well.

That is not native semantics, but your use of the two phrases is fine, Sinbadsunny.

CalifJim · Answer

Sinbadsunnysth to be done / sth to do ~~Does~~ Do the two patterns express the same meaning?

If they modify a noun that can be construed as the object of the modifying infinitive, then yes. In that case the active infinitive (to do) is usually preferred to the passive infinitive (to be done) even though the meaning is passive. Note the relationships below.

things to do (things to be done) (to do things) / books to read (books to be read) (to read books) / letters to write (letters to be written) (to write letters)

CJ

Reegis · Answer

Good morning CalifJim

CalifJimNote the relationships below.things to do (things to be done) (to do things) / books to read (books to be read) (to read books) / letters to write (letters to be written) (to write letters)

Could you please explain what relationship did you mean here?

Maybe it is better to consider a few examples:

1a) I have a lot of work to do.
1b) I have a lot of work to be done.
Would you agree that their meaning is slightly different? Namely, does 1a) mean that the work has to be done by me, while in 1b) the work can be done by somebody else?

2a) There are many things to do.
2b) There are many things to be done.
Here I am inclined to say that they mean the same, but I am not sure.

CalifJim · Answer

Reegiswhat relationship

Just the general relationships between active and passive infinitives and the corresponding verb and its object.

Reegis1a) I have a lot of work to do.1b) I have a lot of work to be done.Would you agree that their meaning is slightly different? Namely, does 1a) mean that the work has to be done by me, while in 1b) the work can be done by somebody else?

True, because you can borrow the main clause subject "I" as the subject of the doer of the work. In fact, the form with the passive infinitive sounds awkward because of this, and a careful writer would not use it.

Reegis2a) There are many things to do.2b) There are many things to be done.Here I am inclined to say that they mean the same, but I am not sure.

True, because "there" can't serve as the agent of the doing.

CJ

Reegis · Answer

CalifJima careful writer would not use it.

Well, there are many things in English that I need to learn yet, but I like to do my best and to write carefully, so I will not use it:)

CalifJimTrue, because "there" can't serve as the agent of the doing.

Can a careful writer use either of them?

CalifJim · Answer

ReegisCan a careful writer use either of them?

Yes, but the active infinitive is the one that is almost always chosen.

CJ

Reegis · Answer

I see, thanks!

Sth to be done/ sth to do

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