This article explores the meaning and grammatical structure of the phrase ‘under pressure to allow’ in the sentence: ‘As the demand for energy increases around the world, governments are under pressure to allow new areas of land to be explored for oil.’ We will break down the grammar and provide a clear explanation of the phrase’s use in context.
What Does ‘Under Pressure to Allow’ Mean?
In this sentence, ‘under pressure to allow’ means that governments are being influenced or urged to permit something, in this case, the exploration of new areas for oil. ‘Under pressure’ indicates that there is external force or influence (often from other groups or organizations) pushing the governments to make a decision. The phrase ‘to allow’ is an infinitive verb that explains what action is being pressured for: the granting of permission to explore new land for oil.
Understanding the Grammar: ‘To Allow’ as an Infinitive
‘To allow’ is an infinitive verb, which in this context functions as part of the object of the preposition ‘under pressure.’ The sentence ‘governments are under pressure to allow’ means that the governments are being urged to take action, which is represented by the infinitive ‘to allow.’ The use of the infinitive verb here is to explain what exactly the governments are being pressured to do, in this case, to permit oil exploration in new land areas.
Is ‘Pressure’ the Subject of ‘To Allow’?
No, ‘pressure’ is not the subject of the verb ‘to allow.’ In this sentence, ‘pressure’ functions as a noun object of the preposition ‘under.’ The action of ‘allowing’ is what the governments are being pressured to do, but the governments themselves are the implied subject performing the action.
Can ‘Before I Submit It’ Be Changed to ‘Before Submitting It’?
Yes, ‘before I submit it’ can be rephrased as ‘before submitting it.’ Both versions are grammatically correct, but there is a slight difference in style. The phrase ‘before submitting it’ uses a gerund (‘submitting’), which is often more formal and concise in written English. ‘Before I submit it’ is more conversational and personal, as it explicitly mentions the subject (‘I’). Both forms convey the same meaning, but the choice depends on the tone and style of the writing.
Conclusion: Grammatical Clarifications
In summary, the phrase ‘under pressure to allow’ in this sentence highlights how governments are being urged or influenced to take action. The use of the infinitive ‘to allow’ explains the specific action they are being pressured to perform. Understanding this grammar structure helps clarify the sentence’s meaning, and both versions of ‘before submitting it’ are acceptable, with the gerund form offering a more formal style.
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