sediments settle at the bottom <to><and> decrease…

sonics2005

sonics2005

Member
Changsha, Hunan
Mandarin-China
Those sediments settle at the bottom of reservoir ______ decrease the total amount of water that the reservoir can hold.
Dear friends, which one could be put into the blank, "to" or "and"? Which one makes sense?
In China, we always learn a lot of grammar rules. According to those rules, "to do sth." can serve as adverbial modifier of result or consequence. If we make sentences according to the rules，"to" seems all right. But I'm super confused. Is that only theoretically correct？
Please help me. Thanks 😁
 
    • Is this your own sentence? If not, you’ve presumably miscopied it (“bottom of reservoir” :cross:)?

    But I agree with Newt that and is better in that sentence. As he says, if you use the infinitive, it implies a purpose rather than being an “adverbial modifier of result or consequence” stating that sediment build-up has the effect of reducing the capacity of the reservoir.
     
    sonics2005 said:
    Thanks a lot. But can't the infinitive be used here to express the result? Like this sentence "Brazil defeated Italy to take first place in the 1994 World Soccer Cup."
    Click to expand...
    Yes, it can, especially in that kind of context. But taking first place is the desired result, not just a passive consequence.
     
    lingobingo said:
    Is this your own sentence? If not, you’ve presumably miscopied it (“bottom of reservoir” :cross:)?

    But I agree with Newt that and is better in that sentence. As he says, if you use the infinitive, it implies a purpose rather than being an “adverbial modifier of result or consequence” stating that sediment build-up has the effect of reducing the capacity of the reservoir.
    Click to expand...
    You are right. It should be Those sediments settle at the bottom of the reservoir ______ decrease the total amount of water that the reservoir can hold.
     
    I suppose so. But the question could instead be phrased adjectivally, using a relative clause modifying a noun rather than an infinitive modifying a verb.

    What did I do that offended you? Did I do something that offended you?
    What did I do to offend you? Did I do something to offend you?
     
    lingobingo said:
    I suppose so. But the question could instead be phrased adjectivally, using a relative clause modifying a noun rather than an infinitive modifying a verb.

    What did I do that offended you? Did I do something that offended you?
    What did I do to offend you? Did I do something to offend you?
    Click to expand...
    I see. Thank you for your patience. I appreciate that.
     
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