0
Hans51 Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

"This is a beautiful experience to be able to do this."

"This is a beautiful experience to be able to do this."

Is the sentence correct? I think that This changes to It like "It is a beautiful experience to be able to do this" because "to be able to do this is a real subject and only it functions as a fake subject.

What do you native English speakers think? Thank you so much as usual.
  

Top answer

I largely agree with you. There is a sense in which the original sentence could be accepted, in which "to be able to do this" is understood as a explanation of what "beautiful experience" refers to. g.

— GPY

  • I largely agree with you.
  • There is a sense in which the original sentence could be accepted, in which "to be able to do this" is understood as a explanation of what "beautiful experience" refers to.
  • g.
  • "
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

9 Answers
0
I largely agree with you.

There is a sense in which the original sentence could be accepted, in which "to be able to do this" is understood as a explanation of what "beautiful experience" refers to. However, if this is intended then it would in my view be helpful to indicate so with punctuation, e.g. "This is a beautiful experience — to be able to do this."
0
0
Hans51"This is a beautiful experience to be able to do this."Is the sentence correct?
Even though the grammar is all right, I don't quite accept it. Even changing "This" to "It" doesn't help.

The phrase "to be able" refers to a state where there is potential for action. This is equated to an experience (a beautiful experience). Strictly spea
0
0
CalifJimEven though the grammar is all right,
What do you think it means then? Do you think it means the same as "This is a beautiful experience — to be able to do this"?
0
0
GPYWhat do you think it means then?
To be frank, I find it cryptic.
GPYDo you think it means the same as "This is a beautiful experience — to be able to do this"?
I don't quite understand this version either. Sorry.

CJ
0
0
CalifJimI don't quite understand this version either. Sorry.
Well, it's essentially the same as "This is a beautiful experience -- climbing this mountain" (or "This is a beautiful experience, climbing this mountain" if you prefer that).
0
0
GPYWell, it's essentially the same as "This is a beautiful experience -- climbing this mountain" (or "This is a beautiful experience, climbing this mountain" if you prefer that).
OK. Now I see it as equivalent to Climbing this mountain is a beautiful experience. Have I got that right?
___

But climbing a mountain is an experience and, in m
0
0
CalifJimOK. Now I see it as equivalent to Climbing this mountain is a beautiful experience. Have I got that right?
Yes, that's the intention.
CalifJimBut climbing a mountain is an experience and, in my opinion, being able to do something is not, so my dubious feeling about the original still stands.
In a very strict interpre
0
0
I agree with CJ. The sentence might be OK in conversation, which always contains fragments and missing words that are communicated by gestures and body language. I would interpret the original as:

"This is a beautiful experience; I am thrilled to be able to do this." (eg, a handicapped person mastering a new skill, a traveler in a foreign land.)
0
0
AlpheccaStarsI agree with CJ. The sentence might be OK in conversation, which always contains fragments and missing words that are communicated by gestures and body language. I would interpret the original as:
Just to be sure we are on the same page, I barely accept the original sentence. What I do accept, except under the very strictest scrutiny that would ha
0

Related Questions