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Thread: descend to have / having?

  1. #1
    stares-at-stars is offline Newbie
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    Default descend to have / having?

    “Look who descended to have / having breakfast with us!”
    (Said about someone who normally rather keeps aloof.)

    Which one is correct?

  2. #2
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    Default Re: descend to have / having?

    Quote Originally Posted by stares-at-stars View Post
    “Look who descended to have / having breakfast with us!”
    (Said about someone who normally rather keeps aloof.)

    Which one is correct?
    It probably depends on the context.

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    Default Re: descend to have / having?

    It's "to have", as it follows a conjugated verb, the conjugated verb is not a verb that takes a gerund usually and "having" in this sense (heres where I'm guessing a bit) would possibly mean "who/what/that [be] having/has" – i.e. a participial clause (I think!).

    [Not a teacher]

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    SoothingDave is online now VIP Member
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    Default Re: descend to have / having?

    Deign | Define Deign at Dictionary.com

    "Look who deigned to have breakfast with us."

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    stares-at-stars is offline Newbie
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    Default Re: descend to have / having?

    Thanks, I'll try "to have".

  6. #6
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    Default Re: descend to have / having?

    Does no one else think that “Look who's descended to (the level of) having breakfast with us!” with "the level of" implied, is possible in speech?

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    SoothingDave is online now VIP Member
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    Default Re: descend to have / having?

    Quote Originally Posted by bhaisahab View Post
    Does no one else think that “Look who's descended to (the level of) having breakfast with us!” with "the level of" implied, is possible in speech?
    I think it's possible. I was pointing out that "deign" is the perfect word for this situation.
    bhaisahab likes this.

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