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Sgofpl Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

To be

Hello teachers,

In the sentence: Work has to be done.

What is the role of "to be" here.

Thanks
  

Top answer

Have to is a semi-auxiliary (a modal idiom) and be is a bare infinitive object/verb complement. I have to go. Do you really have to?

— Mister Micawber

  • Have to is a semi-auxiliary (a modal idiom) and be is a bare infinitive object/verb complement.
  • I have to go.
  • Do you really have to?
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2 Answers
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Have to is a semi-auxiliary (a modal idiom) and be is a bare infinitive object/verb complement.

I have to go.
Do you really have to?
0
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The role of to be is to form the passive of do.

Someone does the work.
The work is done.

Someone seems to do the work.
The work seems to be done.

Someone has to do the work.
The work has to be done.

CJ
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