Learning how to use infinitives correctly in English can be tricky for many learners. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the sentence ‘I want you to bring me two pieces of chalk’ to understand how the infinitive is used and how to translate it into Japanese. The key to understanding this sentence lies in the use of the infinitive ‘to bring,’ which follows the verb ‘want.’
1. Breaking Down the Sentence
In the sentence ‘I want you to bring me two pieces of chalk,’ the main verb ‘want’ is followed by the infinitive ‘to bring.’ In English, this is a common structure where the verb ‘want’ is used to express a desire or request, and the infinitive explains what the subject desires or wants to happen.
In this case, ‘you’ is the subject of the infinitive clause, ‘to bring me two pieces of chalk’ is what the speaker wants the listener to do. The sentence can be broken down as follows:
- Subject: I
- Verb: want
- Object of the verb: you
- Infinitive phrase: to bring me two pieces of chalk
2. Translating the Sentence to Japanese
When translating this sentence into Japanese, we need to preserve the structure while making sure the meaning is clear. The Japanese translation of ‘I want you to bring me two pieces of chalk’ could be: ‘私はあなたにチョークを2本持ってきてもらいたいです.’
Here, ‘あなたに’ represents ‘you’ (the person being asked to do the action), ‘持ってきてもらいたい’ represents ‘want you to bring,’ and ‘チョークを2本’ refers to ‘two pieces of chalk.’ Notice how the infinitive ‘to bring’ is translated as a form of ‘もらいたい’ in Japanese to express a desire for someone to do something.
3. The Role of Infinitives in English
In English, infinitives are commonly used to express a desire, intention, or request, especially when following verbs like ‘want,’ ‘need,’ ‘ask,’ and ‘tell.’ The structure often involves a main verb, followed by an infinitive (with ‘to’) that specifies the desired action. For example:
- ‘I want to go to the store.’
- ‘She needs to finish her homework.’
- ‘They asked me to help them.’
The infinitive ‘to’ connects the verb to the action and allows the sentence to express a specific goal or request.
4. Tips for Using Infinitives Correctly
When using infinitives, keep in mind that they often follow verbs of desire, necessity, or communication. Here are some tips for using infinitives in your sentences:
- Look for verbs that express a desire or request (e.g., want, need, like, prefer).
- Use the infinitive form of the verb after these main verbs to express what you want or expect to happen.
- Remember that the infinitive verb phrase will often describe the action being requested or desired, and it will follow the main verb.
5. Conclusion
Understanding how infinitives are used in English sentences, such as in ‘I want you to bring me two pieces of chalk,’ is key to mastering both the structure and meaning of the sentence. By practicing this sentence structure and understanding its application, you can improve your English fluency and make your sentences more precise and meaningful.
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