C Checkmate Member Joined Sep 9, 2014 Member Type Student or Learner Native Language Malay Home Country Malaysia Current Location Malaysia Nov 30, 2014 #1 "I want to cry." "I'm used to driving." How do I know the difference between "to" as the infinitive marker and "to" as a preposition?
"I want to cry." "I'm used to driving." How do I know the difference between "to" as the infinitive marker and "to" as a preposition?
MikeNewYork No Longer With Us (RIP) Joined Nov 13, 2002 Member Type Academic Native Language American English Home Country United States Current Location United States Nov 30, 2014 #2 These are both infinitive markers.
T TheParser VIP Member Joined Dec 8, 2009 Member Type Other Native Language English Home Country United States Current Location United States Nov 30, 2014 #3 Checkmate said: "I'm used to driving." Click to expand... ***** NOT A TEACHER ***** "Be used to can be followed by nouns or -ing forms (NOT infinitives)." -- Michael Swan in Practical English Usage (1995), entry 578 on page 605. Mr. Swan gives this example: "It was a long time before she was completely used to working with old people." Mr. Swan reminds us that "used" in this structure is an adjective. Therefore, I believe that we can reasonably conclude that "to" is a preposition in that sentence. Last edited: Nov 30, 2014
Checkmate said: "I'm used to driving." Click to expand... ***** NOT A TEACHER ***** "Be used to can be followed by nouns or -ing forms (NOT infinitives)." -- Michael Swan in Practical English Usage (1995), entry 578 on page 605. Mr. Swan gives this example: "It was a long time before she was completely used to working with old people." Mr. Swan reminds us that "used" in this structure is an adjective. Therefore, I believe that we can reasonably conclude that "to" is a preposition in that sentence.