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Questions tagged [to-be-deletion]

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2 answers
453 views

What's the difference between "think it helpful" and "think it's helpful"? [duplicate]

Is the following a valid sentence? I think it helpful to mention the caveats in the document. If so, how is the meaning different from this: I think it's helpful to mention the caveats in the ...
jmach's user avatar
  • 21
5 votes
1 answer
712 views

There seems (to be) a [doubt etc]. There seems (to be) little [doubt]

There seems to be a problem. There seems a problem. In this type of construction, the version with to be, such as (1), is much more productive than the one without, such as (2). See this Ngram: ...
JK2's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
137 views

"To be" in front of adjective? [duplicate]

Do we need "to be"(or a form of 'to be') before adjectives? For example: I want my hair black. I want my hair to be black. This is ready to publish. This is ready to be published. I ...
Guri's user avatar
  • 73
6 votes
3 answers
252 views

What is the purpose of 'to be' in this sentence and is it grammatically incorrect if it is omitted?

It (Parasite) is the first-ever South Korean film to be nominated for an Oscar. A student of mine asked me why there is 'to be' in this sentence. What is the purpose of 'to be' in this sentence and ...
Leo Shin's user avatar
2 votes
4 answers
1k views

What type of grammar construction is "She thinks herself (to be) able to..."?

She thinks herself able to best him in this argument. She thinks that she is able to best him in this argument. She thinks herself to be able to best him in this argument. Are the first and the ...
user74345's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
150 views

Clause in sentence

John found it surprising that Wayne played the tuba. That Wayne played the tuba is the clause, but what kind is it? I am completely stuck on this and can't figure it out.
Andie's user avatar
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4 votes
4 answers
1k views

Use of "elide" --common or esoteric? [closed]

Is the word "elide" a word commonly used by English speakers, or is it a more esoteric word used in law or crossword puzzles?
Phil's user avatar
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12 votes
4 answers
21k views

Differences between Verb + to be + adjective and Verb + adjective

What are the differences between these two sentences? These two guys seem to be inseparable. These two guys seem inseparable. I can intuitively say that the latter one is grammatically wrong. Could ...
Baskaya's user avatar
  • 245
6 votes
2 answers
5k views

Omitting "is", like in "I think it strange"

What is the grammar behind the construction "I think it strange/necessary that ...", and when can and cannot this apparent omission of the copula be used? Do we always need the "that" clause? Also, ...
Lee's user avatar
  • 476