Infinitive marker to: Difference between revisions
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General characteristics: | General characteristics: | ||
Infinitival to precedes a base form verb. | |||
The distribution is like that of auxiliaries, but in infinitival clauses | * Infinitival ''to'' precedes a base form verb. | ||
* The distribution is like that of auxiliaries, but in infinitival clauses. It appears between the subject and the verb phrase: | |||
It is crucial [for John to show an interest]. | # It is crucial [for John ''to'' show an interest]. | ||
It is crucial that John should show an interest. | # It is crucial that John ''should'' show an interest. | ||
* Ellipsis | |||
I know I should [go to the dentist’s], but I just don’t want to. | # I know I should [go to the dentist’s], but I just don’t want ''to''. | ||
I don’t really want to [go to the dentist’s], but I know I should. | # I don’t really want to [go to the dentist’s], but I know I ''should''. | ||
Latest revision as of 12:36, 21 April 2017
General characteristics:
- Infinitival to precedes a base form verb.
- The distribution is like that of auxiliaries, but in infinitival clauses. It appears between the subject and the verb phrase:
- It is crucial [for John to show an interest].
- It is crucial that John should show an interest.
- Ellipsis
- I know I should [go to the dentist’s], but I just don’t want to.
- I don’t really want to [go to the dentist’s], but I know I should.