"Infinitives" and the meanings it yields

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Kilimanjaro

#477186 Fri, 15 Feb 08 09:47 AM

What conclusions can we draw from the following two sentences written in bold?

1. The next train to arrive was from York.

A) The next train that was going to arrive was from York
B) The next train that had arrived/arrived was from York
C) The next train that would have arrived was from York
D) The next train that would arrive was from York

2. The next train to have arrived was from York.

A) The next train that was going to arrive was from York
B) The next train that had arrived/arrived was from York
C) The next train that would have arrived was from York
D) The next train that would arrive was from York

Kilimanjaro

Joined on Sat, Dec 3 2005

İzmir

Full Member (273)

Cool Breeze

#477210 Fri, 15 Feb 08 12:00 PM

1. The next train to arrive was from York.

= The next train that arrived was from York.

I would avoid a perfect infinitive (to have arrived) in that sentence.

Cool Breeze

Joined on Fri, Apr 7 2006

Helsinki, Finland

Senior Member (2,990)

The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.- Mark Twain

Kilimanjaro

#477287 Fri, 15 Feb 08 05:02 PM

Hello Cool Breeze,

Thank you for your comment.However, I don't see a good reason why we should avoid perfect infinitive. I also think that, whether "perfect infinitive" or "to infinitive", one may well sense a future reference in both cases.

Kilimanjaro

CalifJim

#477344 Fri, 15 Feb 08 08:49 PM

1. can be either A or B. The infinitive, of course, has no tense marker, so the next train to arrive is either the next train that was expected to arrive or the next train that did arrive.

2. is C, to my ear. the next train to have arrived is the next train that was to have arrived or that was supposed to have arrived or that was expected to have arrived. This case has a strong counterfactual feel to it. We're not sure the train has arrived at all. It was to have arrived, but it didn't.

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (17,692)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

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