To do what they can

Question

It should change nothing in their resolve to do what they can.Is what they can a noun phrase in the sentence above?Is what they can a complement of the verb "do"?Is the verb "do" both a predicator and complement in the non-finite clause to do what they can?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

anonymous
It should change nothing in their resolve to do what they can.

Is what they can a noun phrase in the sentence above? Yes.
Is what they can a complement of the verb "do"? Yes.
Is the verb "do" both a predicator Yes. and complement No. in the non-finite clause to do what they can?

"do" is not a complement in that non-finite clause. "do" and "what they can" cannot complement each other!

However, the whole non-finite clause is a complement of the verb "resolve".

If you're asking if "do what they can" is the complement of "to", then you may have an argument. Some theoreticians call "to" a subordinator. In this analytical system, everything after "to" would be a complement.

I did not think that this was your question, however.

CJ

Fold navy 285 · Answer

anonymousIs the verb "do" both a predicator and complement in the non-finite clause to do what they can?

to do what they can (do)

Could it be that?

Is the can still an auxiliary when put without the infinitive complement in that clause?

To do what they can

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