Recently when I wanted to submit a research paper on a conference web site I saw something like this:
"In answer to many requests, it was decided to extended the paper submission."
And I'm wondering if it's correct English. Shouldn't it be written as:
"In answer to many requests, it was decided to extend the paper submission."
I know that if we want to say that we have more time to submit the paper, we can use other words: " The paper submission was extended". Then the "extended" word is used correctly. Am I right, or is the first sentence still grammatically correct? If so, why?
Best Answer
What you have there is just patently wrong. We're talking about the basics of English grammar here. You can't have the past tense form (or past participle for that matter) of a verb be part of the infinitive form of that verb. They're mutually exclusive, if you will. It should be to extend, of course. The reason why is because in English a verb that follows the main verb in a sentence or clause must be put in infinitive form. This rule breaks in certain, though very rare, circumstances. For example, most people instead of saying I'm gonna go to check on the dinner will say I'm gonna go check on the dinner. Notice, there is no to between go and check.
Yes, you're absolutely right. That's because was extended is something grammarians call a passive voice. It is formed by following any of the conjugated forms of the verb to be with the past participle of the verb that you're using.