[Grammar] would like made

Hi,

I have come across sentences like this:

"Please indicate what arrangements you would like made for the homework at that time."

I am wondering what structure "would like made" is.

Thanks.

'You would like arrangements made.'
'Made' is a past participle modifying the noun 'arrangements', which is the object of the verb 'like'.

Not a teacher.

Welcome to the forum, samchris.

Think of it as '...what arrangements you would like there to be' or '...what arrangements you would like me to make'.

'Please indicate what arrangements you would like to be made for the homework at that time.'
Would the meaning remain unchanged if 'to be' was added?

Not a teacher.

Matthew Wai said:

Would the meaning remain unchanged if 'to be' was added?

Click to expand...

Yes, that's what it means. Hence 'arrangements' is not the object of 'like' as you said in #2. You are right this time.

Do you mean 'something' is not the object of 'like' in 'someone would like something (to be) made'?

Thanks for the reply.

How do I know "to be" is omitted? Under what circumstances can I omit "to be" then?

Is there a name for this grammar structure?

samchris said:

How do I know "to be" is omitted? Under what circumstances can I omit "to be" then?
Is there a name for this grammar structure?

Click to expand...

You don't know. It will come with experience.
It's called ellipsis. (Not to be confused with '...' which is also called ellipsis)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellipsis_(linguistics)
I seem to be posting this page a lot lately.

Matthew Wai said:

Do you mean 'something' is not the object of 'like' in 'someone would like something (to be) made'?

Click to expand...

I take your point. But:
To me, the object of "Someone would like something to be made" is "something to be made". It might be true that Someone would like something, and that's why they are asking for it to be made. But the sentence doesn't say that.
How about, "Jack wants the rubbish thrown out"? Does Jack want the rubbish? No. 'Rubbish' is not the object of 'wants'.
The actual grammatical object depends on the way the sentence is structured though, and there are some difficult sentences with ellipses which disguise the true object of the verb.

Compare:

• She thought that the contract had ended. (Step 1. Find the verb = thought)
  (Step 2. Ask What? = that the contract had ended)
  (Therefore, the direct object is that the contract had ended.)

http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/direct_object.htm

• 
  
  

Raymott said:

You don't know. It will come with experience.
It's called ellipsis. (Not to be confused with '...' which is also called ellipsis)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellipsis_(linguistics)
I seem to be posting this page a lot lately.

Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply Raymott.

Do you know if there are any grammar books discussing this particular grammar structure - that is "would like something to be done" with "to be" elided?

Matthew Wai said:

'Please indicate what arrangements you would like to be made for the homework at that time.'
Would the meaning remain unchanged if 'to be' was added?

Not a teacher.

Click to expand...

You're exactly right. Or "... you would like us to make...."

They're all correct and natural and mean the same thing.

samchris said:

Under what circumstances can I omit "to be" then?

Click to expand...

I think 'to be' can be omitted from 'I want you to be happy' and 'You seem to be happy', but I am not a teacher.

Raymott said:

Hence 'arrangements' is not the object of 'like' as you said in #2.

Click to expand...

Put simply, the object should be the noun phrase instead of the noun alone. Am I right or wrong?

Matthew Wai said:

Put simply, the object should be the noun phrase instead of the noun alone. Am I right or wrong?

Click to expand...

In this case, as far as I can judge, the object is a non-finite clause.

Not a teacher.