Scott,

With undergraduates, I just call the infinitive phrases in those examples subject complements, parallel to the adjectival subject complements in “He appeared upset” or “He seemed happy.” That hammers the sentences into the nice, familiar “S link-V SC” mold. I tell the students that that’s a labeling dodge, though — it’s a cost-benefit tradeoff between simplicity and accuracy.

— Bill Spruiell



From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> on behalf of Scott Woods <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
Reply-To: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
Date: Monday, August 17, 2015 at 1:28 AM
To: "[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>
Subject: linking with infinitive question

Dear List,

How would you characterize the verbs in the following sentences?

    He appeared to demand my speedy entrance.

    He seemed to think that we were friends.

Thanks,

Scott Woods




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