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Park sang joon Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
To-infinitive expressing the result of a main clause
1. The prisoners were transported to Siberia, many to suffer extremely from the sub-zero temperatures.
1-1. The prisoners were transported to Siberia, for many to suffer extremely from the sub-zero temperatures.
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2. Each year thousands of books are published, many of them to attract momentary attention only to disappear gradually from the shelves and the minds of readers - a few to remain in circulation as long as books are read. Even among "best sellers" only a few have ~
2-1. Each year thousands of books are published and many of them to attract momentary attention are only to disappear gradually from the shelves and the minds of readers and a few are to remain in circulation as long as books are read. Even among "best sellers" only a few have ~
2-2. Each year thousands of books are published, many of them to attract momentary attention (being) only to disappear gradually from the shelves and the minds of readers - a few (being) to remain in circulation as long as books are read. Even among "best sellers" only a few have ~
2-3. Each year thousands of books are published, many of them to attract momentary attention only to disappear gradually from the shelves and the minds of readers - a few to remain in circulation as long as books are read. Even among "best sellers" only a few have ~
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To-infinitive has the four major usages, a purpose, a result, the cause of a feeling, and a conditional.
At the end of a sentence, to-infinitive by followed a comma usually expresses a result whereas at the start of a sentence, to-infinitive following a comma usually express a purpose.
For example: "They entered the room, to find the window broken."
So it's highly probable that #1 expresses the result, but I can't only understand why "for" preceding the subject of "to suffer" is omitted, because when the subject of to-infinitive is different from the subject of the main clause, to-infinitive needs the subject of it along with "for" preceding the subject.
As a result, I'd like to believe #1 expresses the result without "for" for some reason.
#2 has more complex structure than do #1 and I think "only to disappear" and "to remain" express the destiny, but I think "to attract" is a simple adjectival phrase modifying "many of them."
And to-infinitive hasn't the usage "destiny' whereas "be to" has the usage "destiny" along with the other usages.
I know #2-2 is ungrammatical, so please note that 2-2 is residue which appears during the transformation process.
Up to here, what do you think about my interpretation of #1 and #2?
1-1. The prisoners were transported to Siberia, for many to suffer extremely from the sub-zero temperatures.
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2. Each year thousands of books are published, many of them to attract momentary attention only to disappear gradually from the shelves and the minds of readers - a few to remain in circulation as long as books are read. Even among "best sellers" only a few have ~
2-1. Each year thousands of books are published and many of them to attract momentary attention are only to disappear gradually from the shelves and the minds of readers and a few are to remain in circulation as long as books are read. Even among "best sellers" only a few have ~
2-2. Each year thousands of books are published, many of them to attract momentary attention (being) only to disappear gradually from the shelves and the minds of readers - a few (being) to remain in circulation as long as books are read. Even among "best sellers" only a few have ~
2-3. Each year thousands of books are published, many of them to attract momentary attention only to disappear gradually from the shelves and the minds of readers - a few to remain in circulation as long as books are read. Even among "best sellers" only a few have ~
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To-infinitive has the four major usages, a purpose, a result, the cause of a feeling, and a conditional.
At the end of a sentence, to-infinitive by followed a comma usually expresses a result whereas at the start of a sentence, to-infinitive following a comma usually express a purpose.
For example: "They entered the room, to find the window broken."
So it's highly probable that #1 expresses the result, but I can't only understand why "for" preceding the subject of "to suffer" is omitted, because when the subject of to-infinitive is different from the subject of the main clause, to-infinitive needs the subject of it along with "for" preceding the subject.
As a result, I'd like to believe #1 expresses the result without "for" for some reason.
#2 has more complex structure than do #1 and I think "only to disappear" and "to remain" express the destiny, but I think "to attract" is a simple adjectival phrase modifying "many of them."
And to-infinitive hasn't the usage "destiny' whereas "be to" has the usage "destiny" along with the other usages.
I know #2-2 is ungrammatical, so please note that 2-2 is residue which appears during the transformation process.
Up to here, what do you think about my interpretation of #1 and #2?
Top answer
1 and 1-1 are understandable, but the wording is not quite right (and in 1-1 the word "for" means that their captors intended them to freeze). They should be something like: The prisoners were transported to Siberia, and many were to suffer severely from the sub-zero temperatures. The adverb "extremely" is not be used like you used it.
- 1 and 1-1 are understandable, but the wording is not quite right (and in 1-1 the word "for" means that their captors intended them to freeze).
- They should be something like: The prisoners were transported to Siberia, and many were to suffer severely from the sub-zero temperatures.
- The adverb "extremely" is not be used like you used it.
- 2, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 are understandable but the wording is not quite right.
- They should be something like: Each year thousands of books are published, many of them attracting momentary attention, only to disappear gradually from the shelves and the minds of readers, a few remaining in circulation as long as they're selling.
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8 Answers
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1 and 1-1 are understandable, but the wording is not quite right (and in 1-1 the word "for" means that their captors intended them to freeze). They should be something like: The prisoners were transported to Siberia, and many were to suffer severely from the sub-zero temperatures. The adverb "extremely" is not be used like you used it.
2, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 are understandable but the
2, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 are understandable but the
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Thank you, No Name One, for your sincere concern and valuable answer. 
I'd like to know the way of expressing to-infinitive
I'd like to know the way of expressing to-infinitive
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A "to" infinitive phrase can put in any sentence, but the context and usage has to fit. The following are correct, for example:
The prisoners were transported to Siberia to work in the salt mines there. They were to suffer severely from the harsh working conditions and the extreme cold.
An author of a new book hopes to attract many readers with his work.
The prisoners were transported to Siberia to work in the salt mines there. They were to suffer severely from the harsh working conditions and the extreme cold.
An author of a new book hopes to attract many readers with his work.
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Thank you, no name one, very much for your continuing to answer.
1) The prisoners were transported to Siberia, most of them to work in the salt mines there.
2) The prisoners were transported to Siberia, for most of them to work in the salt mines there.
So shouldn't I use either #1 or #2?
I'd much like to express to-infinitive phrase indicating the result the subject of wh
1) The prisoners were transported to Siberia, most of them to work in the salt mines there.
2) The prisoners were transported to Siberia, for most of them to work in the salt mines there.
So shouldn't I use either #1 or #2?
I'd much like to express to-infinitive phrase indicating the result the subject of wh
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These new sentences are understandable but not quite right. You're trying to put a "to" infinitive phrase into a context and usage where it's not right
If you're going to use a "to" infinitive phrase in these sentences, it would have to be in something like the following:
The prisoners were transported to Siberia with the intention of putting them to work in the salt mines there
If you're going to use a "to" infinitive phrase in these sentences, it would have to be in something like the following:
The prisoners were transported to Siberia with the intention of putting them to work in the salt mines there
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Thank you, No Name One, for your continuing support.
Now, I see what you mean.
1) Native speakers scarcely use to-infinitive indicating a result when the subject of to-infinitive different form the subject of the main clause.
2) And never use "for" preceding the subject of to-infinitive indicating a result.
How about the followings.
1) The prisoners were tran
Now, I see what you mean.
1) Native speakers scarcely use to-infinitive indicating a result when the subject of to-infinitive different form the subject of the main clause.
2) And never use "for" preceding the subject of to-infinitive indicating a result.
How about the followings.
1) The prisoners were tran
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1. This is not right. "The prisoners were transported to Siberia" cannot be followed, in this context, by "most of them to work..." To express this idea you'd have to say something like: "The prisoners were transported to Siberia. Most of them ended up working in the salt mines there."
2. This is not right. "The prisoners were transported to Siberia" cannot be followed, in this con
2. This is not right. "The prisoners were transported to Siberia" cannot be followed, in this con
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Thank you, No Name One, for your continuing support.
Then, can't I use to-infinitive indicating a result when the subject of a
Then, can't I use to-infinitive indicating a result when the subject of a
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