Study materials
After the first, the last or the only, a relative clause is reduced not to -ing but to to.
She was the first to arrive.
She came first.
I need a book to read on the train.
I need a book I can read on the train.
The next issue to be discussed is the budget.
The next issue that will be discussed is the budget.
The article explains the infinitive after the first, the last and the only, the infinitive for what needs to or can be done, the passive infinitive, and reduced phrases after there is.
Three ways to reduce a relative clause
A relative clause with who, which or that can be reduced in three ways. Which form to use depends on the link between the noun and the action.
| Form | When | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ing | the noun does the action | the man waiting outside |
| third form | something was done to the noun | the report sent yesterday |
| to | after the first, the only, or for what needs doing | the first to arrive, a book to read |
The first two are explained in detail in the topic Reduced Relative Constructions. This topic is about the third.
To after the first, the last and the only
After the first, the second, the last, the next, the only and a superlative, a relative clause is reduced to to with the base form.
the first person who arrived → the first person to arrive
the only one who noticed → the only one to notice
the youngest player who has ever scored → the youngest player ever to score
Here to works even for a completed past action: She was the last to leave. -ing is not used after the first or the last.
What needs to or can be done
To is also used for what needs to or can be done.
a lot of work to do
work that needs to be done
nothing to eat
no food you could eat
something cold to drink
a cold drink
Ukrainian often uses a construction meaning in order to here, or a bare verb. English uses to with the base form, not for: nothing to eat, not nothing for eat.
The passive infinitive
If someone else will do the action to the noun, to be with the third form is used.
the next person to speak
He will speak himself.
the next issue to be discussed
Others will discuss it.
the road to be repaired next year
The passive infinitive rescues a clause with must or will that cannot be reduced to the third form: the road which must be repaired becomes the road to be repaired.
After a lot of, something or nothing the active to do is common even when someone else will do the action: a lot of work to do. A lot of work to be done is also correct.
After there is
The infinitive is also common after there is and there are. It shows that something needs to or can be done.
There's nothing to worry about.
There is no reason to worry.
There are a few things to check before we leave.
A few things need checking before we leave.
There's still a lot to be done.
A lot still needs doing.
If the noun after there is does something itself or had something done to it, use -ing or the third form: There are three people waiting for you. The topic Reduced Relative Constructions explains this.
Common mistakes
The first mistake is -ing after the first or the last.
She was the first arriving. → She was the first to arrive.
The first is followed by to.
The second mistake is an active infinitive with a named doer.
the next issue to discuss by the board → the next issue to be discussed by the board
By the board shows that others will discuss the issue.
The third mistake is for instead of to.
There's nothing for eat in the fridge. → There's nothing to eat in the fridge.
To goes before the verb.
The first mistake shows in the word before the phrase. After the first, the last, the only and a superlative comes to. The second shows when you ask who does the action. If someone else does it, especially when named with by, you need to be plus the third form. The third shows before the verb. For does not go there, to does.