What Type of Grammar is This? Is There a Formula?

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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Nester
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What Type of Grammar is This? Is There a Formula?

Post by Nester »

Hi,

I was reading a magazine article and I saw these sentences. I don't understand the pattern and I don't feel confident using it. What kind of grammar is it?

1. I didn't take these photos thinking would share them with the world.
2. Diana has spent the past 12 years photographing people around the world.

Can I say "take these photos to think" or "Diana has spent the past 12 years to photograph"?

Thank you :)
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Alan
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Re: What Type of Grammar is This? Is There a Formula?

Post by Alan »

Well, your first sentence needs amending to

I didn't take these photos thinking (that) I would share them with the world.

That said, we are dealing with two quite different constructions here.

In the first example we have a present participle, 'thinking' , which simply refers back to the subject 'I'.

The second, on the other hand, exemplifies the construction 'spend (time) doing smth.', in which a gerund (doing) - and not an infinitive! - is required.

I hope that answers your query.
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