ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: committed to

New2grammar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:01:53 GMT

I sort of understand why you would like to exclude the infinite 'to'. I can sort of feel the difference. I guess it's just a matter of definitions.

Thanks, Avangi for looking it up.

Re: committed to

Avangi — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 01:54:29 GMT

New2grammar
Cool Breeze
all prepositions require a gerund

CB, I'm a little surprised to hear this.

She came to see me. (Is see a gerund?)

In this sentence, "to see" is an infinitive. I have been arguing that in this case "to" is not a preposition and is therefore exempted from CB's rule.

Yankee has kindly advised me that while BrE sources call the "to" an "infinitive marker," AmE sources consider it to still be a preposition. My apologies to New2grammar.

This leaves us in the awkward position of not allowing the "bare infinitive" to follow it's marker, "to," which is of course absurd. Thanks for hanging in on this, New2!

Re: committed to

Avangi — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:13:47 GMT

I apologize. This will really test your sense of humor.

Re: committed to

New2grammar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:12:49 GMT

It looks like a preposition, and it walks like a preposition, and it quacks like a preposition, but,

that's so funny. LOL!!
Avangi, I would like to know how you define preposition? I would like to see things through your eyes.

Re: committed to

New2grammar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:07:36 GMT

Avangi
what is "to"?

??? It's a preposition.

Re: committed to

Avangi — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:05:11 GMT

New2grammar
She came to see me.

Oh, (sigh) what is "to"?

It looks like a preposition, and it walks like a preposition, and it quacks like a preposition, but, _______________

Re: committed to

New2grammar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:58:47 GMT

What? Really? Check out this site
http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/preposit.html

Re: committed to

Avangi — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:55:32 GMT

You're gonna kick yourself: "to" is not a preposition!

Re: committed to

New2grammar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:22:14 GMT

Cool Breeze
all prepositions require a gerund

CB, I'm a little surprised to hear this.

She came to see me. (Is see a gerund?)

Re: committed to

Liveinjapan — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:31:26 GMT

Thanks everyone!

Re: committed to

Avangi — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:04:13 GMT

Many thanks, CB. (I always thought it was an African American spiritual.)

Long live political correctness!

Re: committed to

Cool Breeze — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:53:25 GMT

Avangi

So if you wish to use the infinitive as an object, it seems to me you'd need a second "to." He's committed to to leave by four o'clock. Perhaps that's why we choose the present participle (gerund): He's committed to leaving by four o'clock.

I have no idea what the official word is on this.

Hi all

The official word is simple: all prepositions require a gerund, and as one of Avangi's sentences demonstrates, to is a preposition after committed:

He is committed to leaving by four o'clock.

I look forward to seeing him.

He is used/accustomed to getting up early.

In informal English, the infinitive is often used but I have yet to see a grammarian who considers the infinitive correct. Of course English wouldn't be English if there were no exceptions to this gerund rule, like this Negro spiritual: Swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home...

Cheers

Re: committed to

Avangi — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:36:50 GMT

Hi LiJ, This is an interesting question. My dictionary doesn't offer a separate adjective listing.
You can use it as a stand-alone. Are you with us on this? (reply) Yes, I'm committed.

I think your web examples are incorrect. When it has an object, I believe "to" is required. He's committed to affirmative action. "To" is a preposition, right?

So if you wish to use the infinitive as an object, it seems to me you'd need a second "to." He's committed to to leave by four o'clock. Perhaps that's why we choose the present participle (gerund): He's committed to leaving by four o'clock.

I have no idea what the official word is on this.

Best wishes, - A.

Re: committed to

Liveinjapan — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:04:13 GMT

Thank you all.

I found a few to-infinitive forms on the net, but I believe we should use ing forms as learners.

on *.co.uk

Re: committed to

lazytomb — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:46:21 GMT

be commited to +Ving not inf