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Paul Evdokimov Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

The infinitive phrase as a subject

Hi there,

I came across this sentence:

'To benefit from the available possibilities requires you to look at the situation from a changed perspective.'

Is 'the infinitive phrase + require + object + infinitive' indeed a good choice to convey this piece of obscure advice?!?
  

Top answer

Paul Evdokimov Is 'the infinitive phrase + require + object + infinitive' indeed a good choice to convey this piece of obscure advice? Not in my opinion. But even when transformed into the gerund form more commonly used in the subject position, it still doesn't read well.

— CalifJim

  • Paul Evdokimov Is 'the infinitive phrase + require + object + infinitive' indeed a good choice to convey this piece of obscure advice?
  • Not in my opinion.
  • But even when transformed into the gerund form more commonly used in the subject position, it still doesn't read well.
  • [Benefiting / To benefit] ...
  • requires ...
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4 Answers
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Paul EvdokimovIs 'the infinitive phrase + require + object + infinitive' indeed a good choice to convey this piece of obscure advice?
Not in my opinion. But even when transformed into the gerund form more commonly used in the subject position, it still doesn't read well. [Benefiting / To benefit] ... requires ...?

Of course, it's trying to sa
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Paul Evdokimov'To benefit from the available possibilities requires you to look at the situation from a changed perspective.'
The vagueness of the statement is in the clause requires you to look at the situation from a changed perspective.

What is that changed perspective?
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AnonymousWhat is that changed perspective?
It means 'from another point of view'. You'd better ask the author though.
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Paul EvdokimovIt means 'from another point of view'. You'd better ask the author though.
Yeah, in my opinion, the whole statement is a sort of gibberish.
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