Which is the correct answer ?

Question

Hi to all of you. This is my first post. I am preparing for the ALCE (Advanced Level of Americal English) examinations and I have the following query.

There is little likelihood of the negotiations____the desired result.
a. to bring b. bringing
c. will bring d. have brought

Which is the correct answer? A or B and why?
Thank you in advance!

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Welcome to the Forum. This is my first post. I am preparing for the ALCE (Advanced Level of Americal English) examinations and I have the following query.

There is little likelihood of the negotiations____the desired result.
a. to bring b. bringing
c. will bring d. have brought

Which is the correct answer? A or B and why? B.

You might look at 'bringing the desired result' as an adjectival phrase modifying 'him'. However, I prefer to interpret it as follows.

There is little likelihood of his calling. 'Calling' here is a gerund.

Sometimes we write this as There is little likelihood of him calling. This is basically the same structure as in your example.

'To bring' does not fit with either of these approaches.

Let us know if we can help you with any other questions, too.

Best wishes, Clive

Stefanos · Answer

Thank you for your replay.

If we use the A answer which is the defference of meaning?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

There is little likelihood of the negotiations to bring the desired result.

It wouldn't be correct grammar, so it's hard to see any clear meaning in this.

Clive

Bird Of Paradise · Answer

Clive
You might look at 'bringing the desired result' as an adjectival phrase modifying 'him'.

I can't see him in that sentence.

Intelligent Freak · Answer

Bird Of Paradise
Clive
You might look at 'bringing the desired result' as an adjectival phrase modifying 'him'.

I can't see him in that sentence.

There is little likelihood of the negotiations bringing (him) the desired result. The "him" in this sentence is only implied. It's just like this sentence:

Call me. Even if I don't mention the "You", the sentence implies that I am asking "You" to call me.

(You) Call me.

Ciao,

IF [A]

Bird Of Paradise · Answer

Thanks for clarification, Intelligent Freak .

Intelligent Freak · Answer

Most welcome my dear.

Ciao,

IF [A]

Clive · Answer

Hi guys,

I said You might look at 'bringing the desired result' as an adjectival phrase modifying 'him'.

Bird of Paradise replied I can't see him in that sentence.

Let me now try to clarify my meaning.

I typed 'him' because I got a bit mixed up between my example and the original example . Sorry. What I was trying to say was this.

There is little likelihood of his calling. 'Calling' here is a gerund. 'His' is a possessive.

There is little likelihood of the negotiations' bringing the desired result. 'Bringing' here is a gerund. ' The negotiations' ' is a possessive. Some people would argue that this is the way that the original example you gave should have been punctutaed.

Sometimes we write my example as There is little likelihood of him calling. You might look at 'calling' as an adjective modifying 'him'.

There is little likelihood of the negotiations bringing the desired result. In your example, without the apostophe, you might look at 'bringing the desired result' as an adjectival phrase modifying 'negotiations'.

I'm not sure if I have now made this any clearer. Please post again if you have any more questions or comments about this.

Best wishes, Clive

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