English Language & Usage Asked on September 17, 2020
The task is to open the brackets:
I don’t want these rumours (to spread) around.
As far as I can see, both “to spread” and “to be spread” are possible.
What sounds more natural to you?
Does “around” influence your choice of Active/Passive?
Grammar books say we tend to use Active constructions.
e.g. I have a lot of books to read.
Exceptions to this rule are said to be:
see (It remains to be seen)
and do (There was nothing to be done about it).
The choice of the Infinitive depends on the nature of the verb. In the sentence with 'spread' it is intransitive, so we use the Active Infinitive /i.e., rumours are spreading by themselves/. In the sentences with 'see, do', the verbs are transitive, so we use the Passive Infinitive/ i.e., something is seen or done/. The use of preposition 'around' doesn't influence the choice of the Infinitive here.
Answered by user307254 on September 17, 2020
Get help from others!
Recent Questions
Recent Answers
© 2024 TransWikia.com. All rights reserved. Sites we Love: PCI Database, UKBizDB, Menu Kuliner, Sharing RPP