** Reply to note from Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar <[log in to unmask]> Mon, 4 Jun 2001 14:27:23 -0500 Here's another take on those pesky infinitives: My decision which was for me to leave my job was a wise one. My decision, which was for me to leave my job, was a wise one. As you can see, I'm understanding these infinites as relative constructions which can then be reduced (ellipts again, Michael) by (1) wh/be deletion and the for-to transformation. We end up with my decision, to leave my job, was a wise one. My decision to leave my job was a wise one. I have a bit of trouble considering the comma marked version an appositive since I don't feel "To leave my job, my decision," is equivalent to "My decision, to leave my job . . ." The first sounds like something a person would say when trying to make it clear he or she was not fired. The second does not carry that sense. __________________________ David E. Sawyer, PhD Chair, Department of English North Hennepin Community College Treasurer, Assembly For the Teaching of English Grammar [log in to unmask] [O](763) 424-0832; [H](612) 929-3713 To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/