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Old 26-Jun-2007, 12:37
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Default Re: When "To" is used as a preposition rather than an infinitive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Niall Beag View Post
No, in that case it should be to establish. I can't explain why, but I'll think about it and get back to you if I can....
It's in the verb's subcategorization frame:
give + someone + something to do.
Active: The school should give teachers enough room to do something.

Passive: Teachers should be given enough room to do something.


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albertino, there is a way to test whether to functions as a preposition or a particle.

If to is short for towards, it's a preposition:
preposition
10 steps to establishing a fund
10 steps towards establish a fund
If to is short for in order to, it's a particle:
particle

Teachers should be given enough room in order to establish a collaborative mechanism.

Teachers should be given enough room to establish a collaborative mechanism.

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engee30, to establishing does indeed work here--at least in my dialect.
... teachers should be given enough room towards establishing a collaborative mechanism ...

... teachers should be given enough room to establishing a collaborative mechanism ...
But given that to is ambiguous in that position; i.e., to(wards); (in order) to, a good writer would have spelt/spelled out the word towards.

In sum, the particle lead infinitive to establish has my vote.
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