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Son James Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Whether "to infinitive" as adjective can modify a subject ?
Q. Library members _____ to use the computers on the first floor should register at the front desk
a) wanting
b) to want
The correct answer is a)waiting. Since I have not seen the subject modified "by to infinitive", I chose a) also.
But I'm still thinking "to want" can be used,because there is an adjective role of to infinitive which modifies a subject.
Please tell me why I can't use " to infinitive" to modify a subject.
Library members want to use the computers ---> Library members to want to use the computers.
In this case, to want is to infinitive as an adjective and to use the computers is a noun phrase. Please teach me why it can't be like that.
a) wanting
b) to want
The correct answer is a)waiting. Since I have not seen the subject modified "by to infinitive", I chose a) also.
But I'm still thinking "to want" can be used,because there is an adjective role of to infinitive which modifies a subject.
Please tell me why I can't use " to infinitive" to modify a subject.
Library members want to use the computers ---> Library members to want to use the computers.
In this case, to want is to infinitive as an adjective and to use the computers is a noun phrase. Please teach me why it can't be like that.
Top answer
---> Library members to want to use the computers. Almost all of your questions here at Ef, Son James, will most probably be answered the same way: 'Because we do not construct English like that'. When you do it (presumably in line with your native language), it sounds meaningless.
- ---> Library members to want to use the computers.
- Almost all of your questions here at Ef, Son James, will most probably be answered the same way: 'Because we do not construct English like that'.
- When you do it (presumably in line with your native language), it sounds meaningless.
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4 Answers
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Son JamesPlease tell me why I can't use " to infinitive" to modify a subject.---> Library members to want to use the computers.Almost all of your questions here at Ef, Son James, will most probably be answered the same way: 'Because we do not construct English like that'. When you do it (presumably in line with your native language), it sounds meaningless
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The grammarians I have studied consider wanting a relative clause equivalent in your sentence: Library members who/that want to use the computers on the first floor should register at the front desk.
As the relative clause is in the active voice, the present participle (wanting) is normally used instead of the relative pronoun (that/which) and the finite verb (want).
As the relative clause is in the active voice, the present participle (wanting) is normally used instead of the relative pronoun (that/which) and the finite verb (want).
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This reply is not for you, Mr. Cool Breeze. For the other Mr.
Thank you for your advice. I already kept your point before. From a long time ago I have tried to abandon the way I understand English in grammar and translation of my mother language but it has not been easy job like that. I learned that "to infinitive" as adjective can modify a noun but in that case, it couldn't. That's why I ask
Thank you for your advice. I already kept your point before. From a long time ago I have tried to abandon the way I understand English in grammar and translation of my mother language but it has not been easy job like that. I learned that "to infinitive" as adjective can modify a noun but in that case, it couldn't. That's why I ask
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Thank you so much for your kind explanation,Mr.Cool Breeze! I will remember I couldn't use "to infinitive" as a role of adjective for subject except for ordinal cases. Thanks again.
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