Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Hello, teachers!!

(1) English is too difficult to master in a short time.
(2) English is too difficult to be mastered in a short time.
----->
It is easy for me to understand (1), but I am not sure about (2). How and when do you separate (1) and (2)?

Thank you in advance.

[buddhaheart]

(1) English is too difficult to master (~ to become an expert in; to become a master of; to become skilful at) in a short time.

(2) English is too difficult to be mastered (understood perfectly; good at) in a short time.

�Master� in the 1st sentence is a verb or more precisely an infinitive; it�s an adjective in the 2nd.

[learner12]

Dear buddhaheart:

Thank you so much for your wonderful explanations.

Have a nice weekend.