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Originally Posted by X Mode Why would you not view "to understand" as an infinitive? |
Do you mean, "to understand
ing" isn't an infinitive? If so, I agree. It's not an infinitive.
"critical to" is an adjective + preposition pair. It means,
essential to. The preposition "to" takes a nominal as its object, e.g., noun phrase, like "the family's well-being" or a gerund, like "understanding".
EX: . . .
a second income that is critical to the family's well-being.
EX:
. . . is thus critical to understanding the mechanisms that stabilize . . . Quote:
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Originally Posted by X Mode There is a choice between an infinitive and a gerund here. |
In other words, the subject of the infinitive phrase "to understand" would be something like "for us"?
EX: ?"Identifying the composition of this system is thus critical [for us] to understand the mechanisms that stabilize..."
Sounds awkward, no?
