Infinitive

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

Moderator: Alan

Locked
Lone
Rising Star
Rising Star
Posts: 92
Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2005 3:47 pm

Infinitive

Post by Lone »

'Descriptive writing's main purpose is to describe.'

Is the above sentence grammatically correct? The dictionary says the word 'describe' is a transitive verb, and it should take an object. Should the above sentence be changed to 'Descriptive writing's main purpose is to describe SOMETHING'?'

Please advise.

Many thanks!
User avatar
Alan
Teacher/Moderator
Teacher/Moderator
Posts: 15204
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 7:56 pm
Status: Teacher of English
Location: Japan

Re: Infinitive

Post by Alan »

The objects of transitive verbs can frequently be left implicit, and this is one such case.

The meaning, of course, is 'describe things/people'.
Locked