[Grammar] would like made

[samchris]

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.

 

[Matthew Wai]

'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.

 

[Rover_KE]

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'.

 

[Matthew Wai]

'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.

 

[Raymott]

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

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

 

[Matthew Wai]

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

 

[samchris]

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?

 

[Raymott]

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?

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.

 

[Raymott]

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

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

• 
  
  

 

[samchris]

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.

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?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

'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.

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

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

 

[Matthew Wai]

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

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.

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

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

 

[Weaver67]

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

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

Not a teacher.