active/passive infinitive

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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active/passive infinitive

Post by azz »

a. When we went into the kitchen, the salad was already on the table to eat.
b. When we went into the kitchen, the salad was already on the table to be eaten.


c. ​All the documents are on e managers desk to review.
d. All the documents are on the managers desk to be reviewed.


Are all these sentences correct?

Does using the passive change anything in any way?

Many thanks
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Alan
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Re: active/passive infinitive

Post by Alan »

None is particularly well phrased.

a. When we went into the kitchen, the salad was already on the table to eat.
--> Requires the insertion of an active agent, e.g. "...FOR US to eat".


b. When we went into the kitchen, the salad was already on the table to be eaten.
More natural, e.g. "When we went into the kitchen, the salad was already on the table, READY to be eaten."


c. ​All the documents are on e managers desk to review.
--> (as in (a)) e.g. "...FOR HIM to review".

d. All the documents are on the managers desk to be reviewed.
--> e.g. "READY to be reviewed".
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