Isn't this a case of embedding one clause into another?

*My decision was to leave my job.
*My decision was wise.

Waiting for comment, I remain appositively embedded in my post-nominal
modification!

Paul E. Doniger

----- Original Message -----
From: Glauner, Jeff <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 3:27 PM
Subject: Re: Infinitive phrase as adjective and as appositive


> You've come upon one of those fuzzy areas of grammar rules:  the
distinction
> between an infinitive as adjectival and the infinitive as nominative.  By
> revered and ancient law, appositives are considered nominative; and, in
most
> cases, that is a correct assessment.  But don't become a slave to such
> definitions.
>
> Your example is a good one.  "My decision to leave my job was wise."  The
> infinitive phrase seems to modify the noun, decision. Its position in the
> noun phrase postmodifier slot is also convincing. But notice what happens
> when you insert commas.  "My decision, to leave my job, was wise."
> Suddenly, we have a nominative infinitive phrase (renaming the noun,
> decision.)  The commas tell us that this is no longer the postmodifier
slot.
> Of course, the argument could be made that we shouldn't turn this phrase
> into an appositive, but what if this sentence is a contrast between two
> decisions (i.e., My decision, to leave my job, was wiser the alternative,
to
> hide under my desk). The appositive seems justified to me even if only to
> give the sentence balance. To someone else, it might seem wrong.
>
> The key here is for both your students to realize the grammar is not an
> exact science like arithmetic.  Congratulate them upon their analytical
> skills.  I have a feeling they understand the problem even if they don't
> have an absolute solution.  Tell them that the rules are paradigm, not
> imprisonment.  As paradigm, they help us discover and produce greater
> meaning.  As imprisonment, they make us think on bread and water.
>
>
> Jeff Glauner
> Associate Professor of English
> Park University, Box 1303
> 8700 River Park Drive
> Parkville MO 64152
> [log in to unmask]
> http://www.park.edu/jglauner/index.htm
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kischner, Michael [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 12:35 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Infinitive phrase as adjective and as appositive
>
>
> Does someone know a convincing way of distinguishing between the
infinitive
> phrase as adjectival ("The attempt to robe the bank failed") and as
> appositive ("His goal, to win the Presidency, was never realized").  The
> example  that my class got hung up on was "My decision to leave my job was
> wise."  I called the infinitive phrase there an adjectival.  The students
> seemed unsatisfied by my explanation that in their hearts they know I'm
> right.
>
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