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English Grammar


"to decide" instead of "will decide"

supernul
User since 2008
Posts: 6

24 Feb. 2010

"I feel that Willy will decide to retire only after......"
Is it right to write "I feel Willy to decide to retire only after..."
In american magazines say Time, News Week, the futur is often exchanged with infinitive: for example "Obama to switch boiled eggs with fried ones for breakfast"

6 comments

  • User since 2006
    Posts: 2715

    25 Feb. 2010

    I think future using infinitive form you are conjuring up, Superyou, is in fact “to BE to + infinitive”. That suits for a near future. Like “to be about to + infinitive”.
    You could say
    I feel Willy IS to decide to retire only after...”
    This morning Obama is to switch boiled eggs with fried ones.
    There are fears that many Moroccan minarets are to collapse in the next years. (untrue)
    The Gymglish team are to decide to go on strike within the week.
    (to be checked)
  • User since 2006
    Posts: 2715

    26 Feb. 2010

    As I was busy jotting down an answer to Superhim yesterday I fell my own doppelganger over my shoulder. I looked up at him.
    me: What's up?
    doppelganger: (pouted)
    me: What's wrong, doppleganger?
    doppelganger: Why an -ing form as Superhe conjures a topic?
    me: Gotcha!
    doppelganger: You may double-check your notes before sending.
    me: I am to double-check anything from now on, I promise. Sorry, doppleganger. Sorry, Superyou. Sorry, onlookers.
  • User since 2006
    Posts: 2715

    27 Feb. 2010

    CS to Mak's doppelganger:
    ... as Superhe conjures UP a topic.
  • User since 2006
    Posts: 2715

    28 Feb. 2010

    Hi, Sandy, I forwarded your critical remark to my doppleganger and started to tell him off:
    me: See, doppleganger, what Sandy sent me about your boob.
    doppleganger: Just a slip of the pen.
    me: Unforgivable after telling me that you were to double-check everything.
    doppleganger: (struck dumb with shyness)
    me: So, I give you the bounce, dear.
    The doppleganger right away vanished like a spook.
    So, Sandy, there is no one to worry about from now on. Peace out.
  • User since 2008
    Posts: 499

    28 Feb. 2010

    Wos, I didn't know that "doppelganger" is an English
    term, maimed and deprived from the German "Doppelgänger", like "angst" (which is still intact) and "iceberg" (half-adapted) and "kindergarten" or "appellplatz" (sorry for the last lowbrow example). I'm not entiteld to make fun of such a serious topic, I'm not Quentin Tarantino.
  • User since 2008
    Posts: 499

    28 Feb. 2010

    It's more appropriate to say "...to make light of such a serious topic". I looked it up, because I had seconds thoughts about my choice of words.

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