Tagged Questions
8
votes
2answers
128 views
Dare + have done
Here is an example from an old book. I know it’s old but it can’t be simply discarded, I hope.
"I never dare have spoken — never dare have told you that my love for you was killing me"
So, I ...
-3
votes
1answer
131 views
When do we use “to” as an infinitive marker? [closed]
In these two sentences:
I look forward to get.
I look forward to getting it.
Why is the first sentence incorrect? When do we use to as an infinitive marker?
3
votes
4answers
438 views
When is “to” a preposition and when the infinitive marker?
I want to see you.
I look forward to seeing you.
How can one say "to" in the first sentence is an infinitive marker and in the second sentence a preposition when we are given just the ...
3
votes
1answer
139 views
What do you call “to be to” constructions and are they proper/good English?
Consider the following examples:
You have to be really patient if you are to go shopping in the afternoon.
It must be active if it is to record the film.
What is the construction in bold ...
3
votes
2answers
423 views
Usage of “to be done” [closed]
The following is a transcript of the well-known recorded lecture by Prof. Michael Sandel of Harvard University (the cited portion starts at 43:36):
The only argument this painter makes is that the ...
7
votes
3answers
489 views
Help identifying an error type “tried to help me learning”
I have a friend from Russia who is trying to learn English and recently used the sentence "He tried to help me learning..." (implied: the English language)
It is obviously wrong and I corrected it ...
4
votes
1answer
257 views
Is using split infinitive allowed in formal English? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Are split infinitives grammatically incorrect, or are they valid constructs?
Is it allowed to use split infinitives in formal English? I look into Wikipedia but it is ...
1
vote
2answers
446 views
Should we use “not to” or “to not”? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Order of “not” with infinitive
It's OK to make mistakes; it's not OK not to learn from them.
What kind of grammar structure is this? Could I use "to ...
1
vote
0answers
116 views
“Try not to” vs “try to not” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Order of “not” with infinitive
When negating verbs that are commonly followed by the infinitive, is there a difference in meaning between placing the "not" ...
8
votes
0answers
400 views
Infinitive without “to”? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the correct way to use infinitive after the verb “help”: with or without “to”?
Today I found this headline on bbc.co.uk
How one ...
13
votes
3answers
957 views
“He recommended that they are separated” - is this valid?
I've seen and heard this kind of construction several times now and it always bugs me. When someone recommends something, surely the verb used in the subclause should be infinitive, so:
He ...
4
votes
3answers
234 views
'To swiftly go' or 'to go swiftly'? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Are split infinitives grammatically incorrect, or are they valid constructs?
One of my friends once told me 'to go' is considered a whole word and no word should be put ...
8
votes
2answers
13k views
How to use “to + V-ing”?
I saw some scenarios that used the structure "to + V-ing", such as the following:
Looking forward to hearing.
Disposed to using few words.
I would like to apply what I learned in school to helping ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Infinitives with “ought not”
Most of the references I can find about the word “ought” indicate that even when negating it, you should use an infinitive: “You ought not to go there.”
That sounds quite bad ...
12
votes
4answers
260 views
“Be” as an action rather than a state
I've heard, on rare occasion, a subtle differentiation between be as a state (to passively embody) and be as an action (to actively embody). The latter form often occurs in parallel with do to add ...
9
votes
3answers
9k views
“I like to do (be) something” vs “I like doing (being) something”
This is what I read in an answer to a previous question:
Verbs Followed by Either Gerund or Infinitive
Sometimes the meaning changes according to the verb used.
<…>
(dis)like
...
1
vote
2answers
445 views
To use “to” or not to? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Gerund or infinitive: When to use which?
You like to read books.
You like reading books.
The second second sentence seems to be better than the first. Why is ...
4
votes
4answers
2k views
What is an “infinitive”?
I've heard that a verb usually follows the 'infinitive' but how does one define an 'infinitive'?
1
vote
1answer
509 views
Can a verb in the -ing form take a direct object?
Here is the example:
We condemn such behavior that can risk damaging a company’s brand and reputation.
I think, the 'a company's brand reputation' is the object of 'damaging'. And the whole ...
0
votes
2answers
372 views
Which is the verb of the 'that' clause?
here is the sentence:
We condemn such behavior that can risk damaging a company’s brand and reputation
risk or damage, which is the verb？
I remember that two verb ( one verb after another) must use ...
2
votes
3answers
500 views
13
votes
1answer
2k views
When should a verb be followed by a gerund instead of an infinitive?
Some verbs are followed by ing, e.g. I enjoy swimming. We can't say I enjoy to swim. Likewise, some verbs are followed by to, e.g. I decided to make a plan.
Which particular verbs are followed by ...
