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AlbertoTimakov Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

What construction is "there is sth to be said"

Hi guys!

I have a following sentence:

"But there is one thing to be said which makes the matter more explicable"

What construction is "there is sth to be said"? Is it like the modal verb "to be" or not?

does "is" bind to the "there" (for example, there is an apple on the table ) or "to be" (for example, I am to be meet with friends tonight) or both ones?
  

Top answer

I would say that "to be said" is a passive infinitive. "I have one thing to say" - > "There is one thing to be said". "there is" states the existence of something (as in your "there is an apple on the table").

— GPY

  • I would say that "to be said" is a passive infinitive.
  • "I have one thing to say" - > "There is one thing to be said".
  • "there is" states the existence of something (as in your "there is an apple on the table").
  • "I am to be meet with friends tonight" is ungrammatical.
  • " is correct.
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1 Answers
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I would say that "to be said" is a passive infinitive. "I have one thing to say" - > "There is one thing to be said".

"there is" states the existence of something (as in your "there is an apple on the table").

"I am to be meet with friends tonight" is ungrammatical. "I am to meet with ..." is correct.
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