Leah
Cleft Sentences with "what" 1)Resorts shouldn't take too many people. (should/impose/restrictions) Correct answer: What they should do is impose restrictions. (Cleft sentence without "to") 2)I'm sorry but the plane is going to be delayed. (can/offer/meal vouchers) Correct answer: What we can do is to offer you meal vouchers. Another example with "to" in a cleft sentence: What I'd really like is to lie by the pool. My question: I couldn't found a rule when I have to use " to + verb" in a cleft sentence. However cleft sentences are mostly indicated without a "to", like in the first example (Nr. 1) Can anyone answer my question? Thank you.
13. Aug. 2012 13:04
Antworten · 1
First, I think the second sentence is wrong. It should be, "What we can do is offer you meal vouchers." Whether to use "to + verb" or not depends on whether a verb or noun needs to come after "is." If a verb [i.e. action] needs to come after "is," don't use "to." EXAMPLE: What they should do is _________ [they need to do an action/verb] What they should do is impose restrictions. [impose = verb] If a noun [i.e. thing] needs to come after "is," use "to + verb." EXAMPLE: What I'd really like is _________ [noun] What I'd really like is a book. [book = noun] What I'd really like is a nap. [nap = noun] What I'd really like is to lie by the pool. [to lie = noun] REASON: "to + verb" is called an "infinitive." Infinitives are verbs that act like nouns.
18. August 2012
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