Want something+past participle or Want something to be+past participle

Question

I want my grave to be buried in this graveyard

I want my grave buried in this graveyard.

Also why can't I say I want my grave to bury in this graveyard

(I guess it's probably because things can themselves do nothing. Or is there an example where I can use this expression:

I want something to+present simple)

Englishmaven · Accepted Answer

Graves are not buried. People and animals are buried in graves. That is why your first two sentences are wrong.

*I want my grave to be buried in this graveyard

*I want my grave buried in this graveyard.

I want my grave in this graveyard.

I want to be buried in this graveyard.

Also why can't I say I want my grave to bury in this graveyard?

(I guess it's probably because things can themselves do nothing.

That is the reason. A grave cannot do the burying at all. It is a place.

Or is there an example where I can use this expression:

I want something to+present simple) It isn't the present simple; it is the infinitive.

I want to bury my dog in this animal graveyard.

I want you to bury my dog in this animal graveyard.

I want you to bury me in this graveyard.

GPY · Answer

gaylord336I want my grave to be buried in this graveyard
I want my grave buried in this graveyard.

These examples are wrong. A person can be "buried", and a grave can be "dug", but a grave cannot be "buried". The grammatical pattern "I want X (to be) V-ed" is, however, correct. E.g. you can say: "I want my grandfather (to be) buried in this graveyard."

gaylord336Also why can't I say I want my grave to bury in this graveyard

A grave cannot "bury".

gaylord336I guess it's probably because things can themselves do nothing. Or is there an example where I can use this expression: I want something to + ~~present simple~~ infinitive.

Most often we use this pattern in relation to a person ("I want someone to ..."), but examples with things are also possible. E.g. "I want the door to open inwards", "I want my computer to run faster", "I want the rain to stop". Sometimes, as with the "door" example, there is an implication that a person must make the thing happen, rather than it happening spontaneously. The "rain" example is a spontaneous case, however.

(Cross-posted.)

Want something+past participle or Want something to be+past participle

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