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Is the expression “To think you would stoop so low” often misused?
How frequently is the expression “when it comes to” used in spoken English?When you are going to know indirectly / politely the name of the person you're meeting or talking toWhat is the meaning of the expression 'nice to wheat you'?Is it natural to write “You must read the book, as must your brother”?What exactly the expression “make an argument” means?Would you mind if I + past simple/base form (When you want to ask for permission to say something in the class)Is there an idiom for a situation in which you get all the closed windows of your mind open?What do you call the market for a certain job?
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
I found the following sentence in a fanfiction:
To think you would stoop so low as to become that girl's second
husband.
I am thinking it's wrongly used, because the sentence is incomplete. What should the second part of the sentence look like? I am thinking there are multiple answers to this, could you give me a few example of how to complete this sentence. I am seeing people use the expression in a similar manner, but I feel it would only be correct if they put an ellipsis (...) after it.
idiomatic-language
asked 2 hours ago
blackbirdblackbird
930319
add a comment |
I found the following sentence in a fanfiction:
To think you would stoop so low as to become that girl's second
husband.
I am thinking it's wrongly used, because the sentence is incomplete. What should the second part of the sentence look like? I am thinking there are multiple answers to this, could you give me a few example of how to complete this sentence. I am seeing people use the expression in a similar manner, but I feel it would only be correct if they put an ellipsis (...) after it.
idiomatic-language
asked 2 hours ago
blackbirdblackbird
930319
add a comment |
I found the following sentence in a fanfiction:
To think you would stoop so low as to become that girl's second
husband.
I am thinking it's wrongly used, because the sentence is incomplete. What should the second part of the sentence look like? I am thinking there are multiple answers to this, could you give me a few example of how to complete this sentence. I am seeing people use the expression in a similar manner, but I feel it would only be correct if they put an ellipsis (...) after it.
idiomatic-language
asked 2 hours ago
blackbirdblackbird
930319
I found the following sentence in a fanfiction:
To think you would stoop so low as to become that girl's second
husband.
I am thinking it's wrongly used, because the sentence is incomplete. What should the second part of the sentence look like? I am thinking there are multiple answers to this, could you give me a few example of how to complete this sentence. I am seeing people use the expression in a similar manner, but I feel it would only be correct if they put an ellipsis (...) after it.
idiomatic-language
idiomatic-language
asked 2 hours ago
blackbirdblackbird
930319
asked 2 hours ago
blackbirdblackbird
930319
asked 2 hours ago
blackbirdblackbird
930319
asked 2 hours ago
blackbirdblackbird
930319
asked 2 hours ago
blackbirdblackbird
930319
930319
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Indeed, this is an incomplete sentence (or sentence fragment); typically, choppy or incomplete sentences are used for "special effect" in fictional writing and need not abide by the formal rules of English grammar.
The ellipsis is a punctuation mark used informally in works of fiction to draw out or elongate the emotional impact of a sentence, and, unless it is used to leave words out of a quotation, it is unacceptable in formal writing.
Here is one way to complete such a fragment: "It infuriates me to think you would stoop so low as to become that girl's second husband."
Essentially, if you view the sentence as a combination of a cause part (the initiation) and an effect part (the consequence), then the effect part goes at the beginning of the sentence, whereas the sentence fragment you have provided in the original post functions as the cause part, consequently going at the end of the sentence.
answered 2 hours ago
Aryansh ShrivastavaAryansh Shrivastava
763
New contributor
Aryansh Shrivastava is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
You haven't analyzed the sentence...."To think I would answer this question so as to get points. "
– Lambie
1 hour ago
@Lambie You are incorrect; the "sentence" in the original post is indeed a fragment. The overall phrase "to think [that]..." functions as an infinitive verb rendered to be a phrase with no definitive subject, so you cannot simply put a period at the end and call it a sentence.
– Aryansh Shrivastava
1 hour ago
as to in AmE means: so that you became.
– Lambie
1 hour ago
@Lambie Indeed, "as to" does mean "so that you became," but the problem with having the fragment in the original post as a sentence is caused by the "To think that" at the beginning. The phrase led by "To think that" functions as its own sort of noun; essentially, you can replace it by the grammatically equivalent phrase "The idea of thinking that...." In other words, if you are right about it being a complete sentence, the overall sentence would simply consist of one noun and then a period.
– Aryansh Shrivastava
1 hour ago
That's a radical interpretation. :)
– Lambie
1 hour ago
|
show 1 more comment
To think in this context is an idiomatic expression used to express surprise or dismay and thus is not constrained by typical grammar rules about infinitives as subjects.
As a whole, its meaning is along the lines of
"It's surprising that..." or
"It's shameful that..."
It doesn't mean "Thinking that..." as it would in a sentence like
"To think [that] the moon is made of cheese is incorrect."
answered 1 hour ago
KatyKaty
3,7931124
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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active
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2 Answers
2
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Indeed, this is an incomplete sentence (or sentence fragment); typically, choppy or incomplete sentences are used for "special effect" in fictional writing and need not abide by the formal rules of English grammar.
The ellipsis is a punctuation mark used informally in works of fiction to draw out or elongate the emotional impact of a sentence, and, unless it is used to leave words out of a quotation, it is unacceptable in formal writing.
Here is one way to complete such a fragment: "It infuriates me to think you would stoop so low as to become that girl's second husband."
Essentially, if you view the sentence as a combination of a cause part (the initiation) and an effect part (the consequence), then the effect part goes at the beginning of the sentence, whereas the sentence fragment you have provided in the original post functions as the cause part, consequently going at the end of the sentence.
answered 2 hours ago
Aryansh ShrivastavaAryansh Shrivastava
763
New contributor
Aryansh Shrivastava is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
You haven't analyzed the sentence...."To think I would answer this question so as to get points. "
– Lambie
1 hour ago
@Lambie You are incorrect; the "sentence" in the original post is indeed a fragment. The overall phrase "to think [that]..." functions as an infinitive verb rendered to be a phrase with no definitive subject, so you cannot simply put a period at the end and call it a sentence.
– Aryansh Shrivastava
1 hour ago
as to in AmE means: so that you became.
– Lambie
1 hour ago
@Lambie Indeed, "as to" does mean "so that you became," but the problem with having the fragment in the original post as a sentence is caused by the "To think that" at the beginning. The phrase led by "To think that" functions as its own sort of noun; essentially, you can replace it by the grammatically equivalent phrase "The idea of thinking that...." In other words, if you are right about it being a complete sentence, the overall sentence would simply consist of one noun and then a period.
– Aryansh Shrivastava
1 hour ago
That's a radical interpretation. :)
– Lambie
1 hour ago
|
show 1 more comment
Indeed, this is an incomplete sentence (or sentence fragment); typically, choppy or incomplete sentences are used for "special effect" in fictional writing and need not abide by the formal rules of English grammar.
The ellipsis is a punctuation mark used informally in works of fiction to draw out or elongate the emotional impact of a sentence, and, unless it is used to leave words out of a quotation, it is unacceptable in formal writing.
Here is one way to complete such a fragment: "It infuriates me to think you would stoop so low as to become that girl's second husband."
Essentially, if you view the sentence as a combination of a cause part (the initiation) and an effect part (the consequence), then the effect part goes at the beginning of the sentence, whereas the sentence fragment you have provided in the original post functions as the cause part, consequently going at the end of the sentence.
answered 2 hours ago
Aryansh ShrivastavaAryansh Shrivastava
763
New contributor
Aryansh Shrivastava is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
You haven't analyzed the sentence...."To think I would answer this question so as to get points. "
– Lambie
1 hour ago
@Lambie You are incorrect; the "sentence" in the original post is indeed a fragment. The overall phrase "to think [that]..." functions as an infinitive verb rendered to be a phrase with no definitive subject, so you cannot simply put a period at the end and call it a sentence.
– Aryansh Shrivastava
1 hour ago
as to in AmE means: so that you became.
– Lambie
1 hour ago
@Lambie Indeed, "as to" does mean "so that you became," but the problem with having the fragment in the original post as a sentence is caused by the "To think that" at the beginning. The phrase led by "To think that" functions as its own sort of noun; essentially, you can replace it by the grammatically equivalent phrase "The idea of thinking that...." In other words, if you are right about it being a complete sentence, the overall sentence would simply consist of one noun and then a period.
– Aryansh Shrivastava
1 hour ago
That's a radical interpretation. :)
– Lambie
1 hour ago
|
show 1 more comment
Indeed, this is an incomplete sentence (or sentence fragment); typically, choppy or incomplete sentences are used for "special effect" in fictional writing and need not abide by the formal rules of English grammar.
The ellipsis is a punctuation mark used informally in works of fiction to draw out or elongate the emotional impact of a sentence, and, unless it is used to leave words out of a quotation, it is unacceptable in formal writing.
Here is one way to complete such a fragment: "It infuriates me to think you would stoop so low as to become that girl's second husband."
Essentially, if you view the sentence as a combination of a cause part (the initiation) and an effect part (the consequence), then the effect part goes at the beginning of the sentence, whereas the sentence fragment you have provided in the original post functions as the cause part, consequently going at the end of the sentence.
answered 2 hours ago
Aryansh ShrivastavaAryansh Shrivastava
763
New contributor
Aryansh Shrivastava is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Indeed, this is an incomplete sentence (or sentence fragment); typically, choppy or incomplete sentences are used for "special effect" in fictional writing and need not abide by the formal rules of English grammar.
The ellipsis is a punctuation mark used informally in works of fiction to draw out or elongate the emotional impact of a sentence, and, unless it is used to leave words out of a quotation, it is unacceptable in formal writing.
Here is one way to complete such a fragment: "It infuriates me to think you would stoop so low as to become that girl's second husband."
Essentially, if you view the sentence as a combination of a cause part (the initiation) and an effect part (the consequence), then the effect part goes at the beginning of the sentence, whereas the sentence fragment you have provided in the original post functions as the cause part, consequently going at the end of the sentence.
answered 2 hours ago
Aryansh ShrivastavaAryansh Shrivastava
763
New contributor
Aryansh Shrivastava is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 hours ago
answered 2 hours ago
Aryansh ShrivastavaAryansh Shrivastava
763
New contributor
Aryansh Shrivastava is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 hours ago
Aryansh ShrivastavaAryansh Shrivastava
763
answered 2 hours ago
Aryansh ShrivastavaAryansh Shrivastava
763
763
New contributor
Aryansh Shrivastava is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Aryansh Shrivastava is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
You haven't analyzed the sentence...."To think I would answer this question so as to get points. "
– Lambie
1 hour ago
@Lambie You are incorrect; the "sentence" in the original post is indeed a fragment. The overall phrase "to think [that]..." functions as an infinitive verb rendered to be a phrase with no definitive subject, so you cannot simply put a period at the end and call it a sentence.
– Aryansh Shrivastava
1 hour ago
as to in AmE means: so that you became.
– Lambie
1 hour ago
@Lambie Indeed, "as to" does mean "so that you became," but the problem with having the fragment in the original post as a sentence is caused by the "To think that" at the beginning. The phrase led by "To think that" functions as its own sort of noun; essentially, you can replace it by the grammatically equivalent phrase "The idea of thinking that...." In other words, if you are right about it being a complete sentence, the overall sentence would simply consist of one noun and then a period.
– Aryansh Shrivastava
1 hour ago
That's a radical interpretation. :)
– Lambie
1 hour ago
|
show 1 more comment
You haven't analyzed the sentence...."To think I would answer this question so as to get points. "
– Lambie
1 hour ago
@Lambie You are incorrect; the "sentence" in the original post is indeed a fragment. The overall phrase "to think [that]..." functions as an infinitive verb rendered to be a phrase with no definitive subject, so you cannot simply put a period at the end and call it a sentence.
– Aryansh Shrivastava
1 hour ago
as to in AmE means: so that you became.
– Lambie
1 hour ago
@Lambie Indeed, "as to" does mean "so that you became," but the problem with having the fragment in the original post as a sentence is caused by the "To think that" at the beginning. The phrase led by "To think that" functions as its own sort of noun; essentially, you can replace it by the grammatically equivalent phrase "The idea of thinking that...." In other words, if you are right about it being a complete sentence, the overall sentence would simply consist of one noun and then a period.
– Aryansh Shrivastava
1 hour ago
That's a radical interpretation. :)
– Lambie
1 hour ago
You haven't analyzed the sentence...."To think I would answer this question so as to get points. "
– Lambie
1 hour ago
You haven't analyzed the sentence...."To think I would answer this question so as to get points. "
– Lambie
1 hour ago
@Lambie You are incorrect; the "sentence" in the original post is indeed a fragment. The overall phrase "to think [that]..." functions as an infinitive verb rendered to be a phrase with no definitive subject, so you cannot simply put a period at the end and call it a sentence.
– Aryansh Shrivastava
1 hour ago
@Lambie You are incorrect; the "sentence" in the original post is indeed a fragment. The overall phrase "to think [that]..." functions as an infinitive verb rendered to be a phrase with no definitive subject, so you cannot simply put a period at the end and call it a sentence.
– Aryansh Shrivastava
1 hour ago
as to in AmE means: so that you became.
– Lambie
1 hour ago
as to in AmE means: so that you became.
– Lambie
1 hour ago
@Lambie Indeed, "as to" does mean "so that you became," but the problem with having the fragment in the original post as a sentence is caused by the "To think that" at the beginning. The phrase led by "To think that" functions as its own sort of noun; essentially, you can replace it by the grammatically equivalent phrase "The idea of thinking that...." In other words, if you are right about it being a complete sentence, the overall sentence would simply consist of one noun and then a period.
– Aryansh Shrivastava
1 hour ago
@Lambie Indeed, "as to" does mean "so that you became," but the problem with having the fragment in the original post as a sentence is caused by the "To think that" at the beginning. The phrase led by "To think that" functions as its own sort of noun; essentially, you can replace it by the grammatically equivalent phrase "The idea of thinking that...." In other words, if you are right about it being a complete sentence, the overall sentence would simply consist of one noun and then a period.
– Aryansh Shrivastava
1 hour ago
That's a radical interpretation. :)
– Lambie
1 hour ago
That's a radical interpretation. :)
– Lambie
1 hour ago
|
show 1 more comment
To think in this context is an idiomatic expression used to express surprise or dismay and thus is not constrained by typical grammar rules about infinitives as subjects.
As a whole, its meaning is along the lines of
"It's surprising that..." or
"It's shameful that..."
It doesn't mean "Thinking that..." as it would in a sentence like
"To think [that] the moon is made of cheese is incorrect."
answered 1 hour ago
KatyKaty
3,7931124
add a comment |
To think in this context is an idiomatic expression used to express surprise or dismay and thus is not constrained by typical grammar rules about infinitives as subjects.
As a whole, its meaning is along the lines of
"It's surprising that..." or
"It's shameful that..."
It doesn't mean "Thinking that..." as it would in a sentence like
"To think [that] the moon is made of cheese is incorrect."
answered 1 hour ago
KatyKaty
3,7931124
add a comment |
To think in this context is an idiomatic expression used to express surprise or dismay and thus is not constrained by typical grammar rules about infinitives as subjects.
As a whole, its meaning is along the lines of
"It's surprising that..." or
"It's shameful that..."
It doesn't mean "Thinking that..." as it would in a sentence like
"To think [that] the moon is made of cheese is incorrect."
answered 1 hour ago
KatyKaty
3,7931124
To think in this context is an idiomatic expression used to express surprise or dismay and thus is not constrained by typical grammar rules about infinitives as subjects.
As a whole, its meaning is along the lines of
"It's surprising that..." or
"It's shameful that..."
It doesn't mean "Thinking that..." as it would in a sentence like
"To think [that] the moon is made of cheese is incorrect."
answered 1 hour ago
KatyKaty
3,7931124
edited 48 mins ago
answered 1 hour ago
KatyKaty
3,7931124
answered 1 hour ago
KatyKaty
3,7931124
answered 1 hour ago
KatyKaty
3,7931124
3,7931124
add a comment |
add a comment |
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