The usage of worth? This sentence are common usage. 'This book is worth reading'. But can we use 'worth' with To-infinitives? 'This book is worth to read.' If not, would you please explain why this is improper usage?
by 
Anonymous
ANSWERS: 2
-
Wow, that is a REALLY good question. +2 "Worth" is a preposition meaning "good or important enough to justify (what is specified)". You stick it in front of the word you are modifying. In the first case, you are modifying "reading". What you're saying is, "This book is [good or important enough to justify] reading." In the second example, "This book is {blank} to read", the word you want is the adjective form, which is "worthwhile". Something worth reading is *worthwhile* to read. The usage in the question is incorrect because "worth" is not an adjective. The core of the second statement is not "worth to read" but "The book is worth", neither of which makes any sense. I hope this was helpful!
-
You can use another adjective 'worthy'. "This book is worthy to read."
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC