against time to overcome

Share on Facebook

New2grammar

#514734 Sat, 17 May 08 08:59 AM

"Saving lives is still the top priority," Chinese President Hu Jintao said Friday, as he arrived in the quake zone. Hu described the current situation as "the most crucial phase" of the rescue effort. "We must race against time to overcome all difficulties."

Why is 'to' used? It doesn't make much sense to me. I would use 'and'.

Thanks in advance!

New2grammar

Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006

Veteran Member (7,676)

Who wants to go sailing around the world with me?

Mister Micawber

#514742 Sat, 17 May 08 09:13 AM

.
to = in order to

Mister Micawber

Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004

Yokohama

Veteran Member (22,185)

'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

New2grammar

#514748 Sat, 17 May 08 09:28 AM

MM, I'm very satified with your answers to all my posts except this one.
Thanks a lot. I know you don't normally post twice in a thread and don't even know if you check the thread again.
I guess, I'll have to figure this out on my own. That's fair.

I really appreciate your replies to all my posts.

New2grammar

Tanit

#514787 Sat, 17 May 08 11:48 AM

Hi N2G,

May I ask you why you're not satisfied with the answer? That's exactly how I read it.
This usage of the infinitive is called "infinitive of purpose" and answers the question "why?"

"We must race against time to overcome all difficulties."
    Why must we race against time?
    (In order to) overcome all difficulties

Compare:
    I went to that shop to buy a skirt.
    I had to read that sentence twice to understand it.

What would happen if you used "and"? This would change the meaning of the sentence, linking "overcome" to "must":
"We must race against time and overcome all difficulties."
    What must we do?
        no. 1: we must race against time
        no. 2: we must overcome all difficulties
However, does this make sense? Hmm, I'm not quite sure and leave the question to others.

Tanit

Joined on Mon, Jul 31 2006

In the middle of the Mediterranean Sea

Senior Member (2,215)

A man can do only what he can do. But if he does that each day he can sleep at night and do it again the next day. (A. Schweitzer)

Marius Hancu

#514789 Sat, 17 May 08 11:54 AM

MM is right. Just learn this meaning.

Marius Hancu

Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006

Montreal, Canada

Veteran Member (11,673)

New2grammar

#514797 Sat, 17 May 08 12:10 PM

Tanit, I see 'race against time' and 'overcome all difficulties' as two somewhat different tasks, maybe they are a bit overlapped or at most 50%. If you race against time, you'll probably accomplish overcoming SOME or MOST difficulties, not ALL. Using 'to' makes the sentence sounds like the act of racing against time will achieve "overcome ALL difficulties". I think most likely I have confused myself and maybe you too.

New2grammar

Tanit

#514828 Sat, 17 May 08 01:29 PM

Hi,
Stay reassured. Smile

You haven't confused me at all.

Tanit