Explanation: Hi; it does appear to be just literal. I'll post some links :)
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 7 mins (2008-01-27 14:16:55 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Regular control constructions allow passivization, with the verbal complement or an expletive as a passive subject (cf. 10-11). Control pseudocoordinations ... www.hku.hk/linguist/research/Ab_lodrup.htm
in which certain verbs can precede their verbal complement rather than follow ... selects the verbal complement zu verkaufen, and the accusative object das ... www.springerlink.com/index/M03T52006M76663N.pdf
