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Date: | Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:12:13 -0400 |
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Peter,
I would use construction grammar terminology and call it a "schema", a
set grammatical construction with variable slots.
too [adjective] to [verb]
The excess of adjective (state) precludes the action or activity.
Too sick to work. Too tired to care. Too lazy to pick up after himself.
You can go on indefinitely.
I don't think it is an adverb of purpose (Allison's suggestion) because
there is often no purpose involved.
Craig>
I'm wondering if someone on the list could help me with the analysis
> of the following:
>
> He was too drunk to drive.
>
> What is the function of the infinitive "to drive"?
>
> Peter Adams
>
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