to infinitive, as adjective or adverb?

[atssarbia]

" we are planing the program to help the poor."

In the above, does 'to help' modify the program or is it used as a adverbial phrase that means 'the purpose of the subject'?

which is correct?

 

[2006]

" we are planing the program to help the poor."

In the above, does 'to help' modify the program or is it used as a adverbial phrase that means 'the purpose of the subject'? I am not sure what you mean here. The subject of the sentence is 'We".

There are two possible meanings.

1...What are you planning?
We are planning the program to help the poor. (most likely meaning)

2...Why are you planning the program?
We are planning the program to help the poor.

I hope the above is clear.

2006

 

[Perkamen]

" we are planing the program to help the poor."

In the above, does 'to help' modify the program or is it used as a adverbial phrase that means 'the purpose of the subject'?

which is correct?

The sentence is open to two readings:

1.
'to help the poor' answers the question 'Why?'. It is an adjunct of contingency: clearly an adverbial element.

What are we planning? The program. 'program' is the direct object. Why are we planning the program? To help the poor.

2. What are we planning? The program that helps the poor; the program to help the poor. The infinitive in this case serves as a complement for the direct object.

To recap:

1. We [are planning] [the program] [to help the poor].
2. We [are planning] [the program to help the poor].

Can you see the difference via my use of squared brackets?

In #1, 'to help the poor' modifies the verb (are planning).
In #2, 'to help the poor' complements the direct object and functions adjectivally.

Hope this helps.