To being

Question

Hello!I have a doubt.I think I am right if I say that the following sentence is grammatically correct:    " He identifies four principles to be a succesful guide".I also thing this one is correct:    " He identifies four principles for being a succesful guide".But what about the one I have recently come across with?:    " He identifies four principles to being a succesful guide".Is it not against grammar principles?. Is it correct because "being" works almosts as a noun(like in "human being")?. If it is correct( I am afraid it is, hehe), could I use any verb on such kind of structure?.Thank you very much in advance. p.s. I can´t use the functions on the top; they don´t work..( to underline, change color, etc.); the emoticon was copied and pasted:)Regards

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

for learningI think I am right if I say that the following sentence is grammatically correct:
" He identifies four principles to be a successful guide".
I also thing this one is correct:
" He identifies four principles for being a successful guide".

principles for being is the usual combination. "principles" normally goes with "for". The other one ("principles to") seems a little strange to my ear, though not impossible, because it can be understood thus:

He identifies four principles (which need to be observed in order) to be a successful guide.

for learningBut what about the one I have recently come across ~~with~~?:
" He identifies four principles to being a successful guide".

Again, "principles to" seems a little strange, but "to being" is fine. (It has nothing to do with "human being", by the way.) "to" is a preposition here, and all verbs have to be in the -ing form after a preposition. You could substitute "associated with" thus:

He identifies four principles associated with being a successful guide.

Don't confuse the preposition "to" with the infinitive marker "to". (Easier said than done.)

See and follow the links there for further details about "to" + "-ing".

CJ

Ruslana · Answer

for learningp.s. I can´t use the functions on the top; they don´t work..( to underline, change color, etc.); the emoticon was copied and pasted:)

I've replied here so that this thread doesn't go offtopic.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks.

I guess it will take me quite a long to get familiar to this use of "to" as a preposition.

Grammar Glitch · Answer

I think the best choice is HE IDENTIFIES FOUR PRINCIPLES ASSOCIATED WITH BEING A SUCCESSFUL GUIDE.

That is definitely the smoothest English usage for this idea.

To being

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