Adjective Usage

[Grinkl]

Hi teachers!

I want to know the differences between v~ing(Present Participle) and to v(Infinitive) when they are used as an Adjective role to modify Noun.


ex) This book will consist of several stories (containing/to contain) a lot of funny anecdotes.

I don't know exactly what is the difference between "containing" and
"to contain" in the above sentence.


Many detailed explanations would be much appreciated.

Regards~.

 

[Wuisi]

Hi,
I'm afraid you can't use 'to contain' in your example. You can use to-infinitive after a noun to express 'purpose'. ...'several stories to be read in front of the fireplace'. (I'm not a teacher, so let's see what they tell you).
Regards.

 

[Tdol]

'To contain' would suggest that the book will not contain the stories at the time ofpublication.

 

[Grinkl]

Hi,
I'm afraid you can't use 'to contain' in your example. You can use to-infinitive after a noun to express 'purpose'. ...'several stories to be read in front of the fireplace'. (I'm not a teacher, so let's see what they tell you).
Regards.

Thank you for your opinion. Let's see what other explanations are.

 

[Grinkl]

'To contain' would suggest that the book will not contain the stories at the time ofpublication.

Thanks! but to be honest, I'm still confused. You mean "To contain" can imply
that the book will not contain a lot of funny anecdotes at the time of publication.?

 

[Tdol]

Maybe better, it means that the stories as they stand at the moment do not contain them, which is improbable- 'containing' describes the current situation of the stories and 'to contain' would describe the future.

 

[Grinkl]

Maybe better, it means that the stories as they stand at the moment do not contain them, which is improbable- 'containing' describes the current situation of the stories and 'to contain' would describe the future.

I got it. Thank you very much for your explanation!