Практическая г р а м м а т и к а

ИНФИНИТИВ

English G r a mma r Practi ce:

T HE I N F I N I T I V E
Учебное пособие для студентов специальности
«Современные иностранные языки»
учреждений, обеспечивающих получение высшего образования

2-е издание, исправленное и дополненное

Минск
Лексис
2013
УДК 811.111/367(075.8)
ББК 81.2Англ-923
П69

Авторы:
старший преподаватель кафедры ТиПАР МГЛУ М. Е. Бендецкая,
старший преподаватель кафедры ТиПАР МГЛУ Т. В. Рахунок,
старший преподаватель кафедры ТиПАР МГЛУ Н. В. Федосеева,
преподаватель кафедры ТиПАР МГЛУ С. А. Лысенко,
преподаватель кафедры ТиПАР МГЛУ Ю. В. Кривко

Бендецкая, М. Е.
П69 Практическая грамматика: Инфинитив = English Grammar Practice: The Infinitive : учебное
пособие / М. Е. Бендецкая [и др.] — 2-е изд. — Минск : Лексис, 2013. — 136 с.
ISBN 978-985-6932-30-7.

Цель данного пособия - развитие и совершенствование грамматических знаний, навыков и умений студентов,
предусмотренных типовой учебной программой для ВУЗов по специальности «Современные иностранные языки» в рам­
ках изучения темы «Инфинитив».
Пособие состоит из взаимосвязанных «разделов описательного и практического характера. Предназначено для
студентов языковых ВУЗов й факультетов, изучающих английский язык на продвинутом уровне, а также может быть
использовано широким кругом лиц, изучающих английский язык на курсах или самостоятельно.
УДК 811.111’367(075.8)
ББК 81.2Англ-923

ISBN 978-985-69-30-7 © Оформление. ООО "Лексис", 2013

 The Morphological Categories of the infinitive 3

THE INFINITIVE
To be, or not to be: that is the question...
William Shakespeare

The infinitive is a non-finite form of the verb which names a process in a most general way. It is treated
as the initial form of the verb and represents it in dictionaries. The infinitive is also defined as the most
basic form of the verb: be, do, know. It gives a name to an event, describes a state or a fact irrespective
of a person, number, a factual moment of speaking and mood. The infinitive has the properties of the
noun and the verb. In other words, it has a double nature, verbal and nominal.

verbal characteristics nominal characteristics

morphological • Infinitives have the category of time correlation.
categories • Infinitives have the category of aspect.
• Infinitives of transitive verbs have the category of
voice.
syntactic • Infinitives can be modified by adverbials. Infinitives can be used
features • Infinitives can take prepositional objects. as subjects, predicatives,
• Infinitives of transitive verbs can take direct objects. objects.1

THE MORPHOLOGICAL CATEGORIES OF THE INFINITIVE

The six forms of the infinitive reveal its morphological categories.

ACTIVE PASSIVE
NON-PERFECT COMMON (to) do (to) be done
NON-PERFECT CONTINUOUS (to) be doing -----
PERFECT COMMON (to) have done (to) have been done
PERFECT CONTINUOUS (to) have been doing -----

THE CATEGORY OF TIME CORRELATION

Unlike finite forms of the verb infinitives have no tense category; they usually do not refer the action
to the present, past or future2. The examples below show that the infinitive does not have direct time
reference. The time of the action is indicated by the finite verb.

It is exciting
It was exciting to study languages.
It will be exciting

For details and examples see THE INFINITIVE AS A SUBJECT, THE INFINITIVE AS A PREDICATIVE and THE INFINITIVE AS
AN OBJECT.
For cases when the infinitive refers an action to a particular time see THE INFINITIVE AS PART OF A COMPOUND
VERBAL MODAL PREDICATE.
4 English Grammar Practice

The time reference of the infinitive is relative: it can be understood only through its reference to
the time of the finite verb. Infinitives express the time of the action as prior to, simultaneous with
or posterior to the action expressed by the finite verb. The relative time reference is expressed
through the category of time correlation which reveals itself in the opposition of non-perfect and
perfect forms.

NON-PERFECT PERFECT
(to) do (to) have done
(to) be doing (to) have been doing
(to) be done (to) have been done

NON-PERFECT INFINITIVES
The actions of non-perfect infinitives may
1. take place at the same time with the actions of the finite verb. In other words, the actions of non­
perfect infinitives and those of finite verbs are simultaneous.

to see us.
He was happy to be doing it without any help.
to be shown the new picture.

2. follow the actions of the finite verbs. Such infinitives denote posterior actions; they show
succession.
He is studying to become a dentist one day.
I did everything to be invited to the coming event.

3. precede the actions of the finite verb. In such contexts actions of the infinitive and the finite verb closely
follow each other and there is no time lapse between the events. The infinitive describing a prior action
follows a verb denoting an emotional state: astonish, like, relieve, shock, surprise, wonder, etc.
I was surprised to learn that he was no longer in London.
He was shocked to be scolded for something he had never done.

PERFECT INFINITIVES
1. The actions of perfect infinitives precede the actions of the finite verbs. In other words, perfect
infinitives denote actions that were carried out prior to those expressed by the finite verbs.

He claims to have written the essay.

He claimed to have been writing the essay for days.
He will claim to have been given the task earlier that month.
The Morphological Categories of the infinitive 5
2. Perfect infinitives can be used to denote actions which were not carried out. They follow the past
tense-forms of the verbs expect, mean, intend, hope, etc. The same idea can be expressed by
non-perfect infinitives used after finite verbs in the past perfect tense.
I hoped to have written the essay by noon. = I had hoped to write the essay by noon.

THE CATEGORY OF ASPECT

The category of aspect is revealed in the opposition of the common and continuous aspect forms
that express the manner in which the action is performed. A common infinitive normally does not
describe the character of the action. A continuous infinitive expresses a longer action in progress.
IMPORTANT! The passive voice has no aspect opposition.

COMMON CONTINUOUS
Active (to) do (to) be doing
(to) have done (to) have been doing
Passive (to) be done -------
(to) have been done -----

Non-perfect continuous infinitives denote actions in progress which are simultaneous with those of
the finite verbs.

It is fun
It was fun to be staving with you at the campsite.
It will be fun

Perfect continuous infinitives are used to express actions that precede those of the finite verbs. Their
continuous forms stress that the actions have lasted for some time.

They pretend
They pretended to have been waiting for hours.
They will pretend

! Non-perfect common infinitives are often called indefinite.

 6________________________________________________________________________English Grammar Practice

THE CATEGORY OF VOICE

The opposition of the active and passive forms reveals the category of voice.
| Only transitive verbs have passive voice forms. They are found in the common aspect exclusively.

ACTIVE PASSIVE
Common (to) do (to) be done
(to) have done (to) have been done
Continuous (to) be doing
(to) have been doing

Active infinitives denote that the action is performed by the subject; passive infinitives show that the
subject is acted upon. Compare:
I still do not know which is better, to love or to be loved?
He could not have managed the job; it could not have been done yet.

Active |nd passive infinitives can have a similar passive meaning. In such cases the infinitive is active
in form but passive in meaning.3 Speakers use active forms when they think about the person or the
object that performs the action rather than the action itself.
There are two essays to write/to be written.
I am not to blame / to be blamed.
She is easy to deal with /to be dealt with.

! If the subject of the sentence is the person who does the action, active infinitives are used to
denote passive actions.
He had an essay to write. (NOT lie-had an essay to be written)
I have something to tell you. ('NOT I have something to tell you:)

3 For details see: THE INFINITIVE AS A PREDICATIVE and THE INFINITIVE AS AN ATTRIBUTE.
The Morphological Categories of the Infinitive 7

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Complete the charts.

ACTIVE PASSIVE COMMON CONTINUOUS

to catch to have been talking
to be lit to have risen
to have made to be leaving
to have been tried to ski
to strike to be tying

NON-PERFECT PERFECT
to hold
to be selling
to have been spending
to be spoken of
to have shrunk
to burst

Build the form of the infinitive according to the description.

The Indefinite Infinitive Passive — drive, wear, raise, lay.

The Perfect Continuous Infinitive — deal, lie, stay.
The Continuous Infinitive — study, buy, feel.
The Perfect Infinitive Passive — build, hang, hurt.
The Perfect Infinitive Active — arise, fall, shine, sit, win.

State the form of the infinitive and explain why it is used.

1. It is pure luck to have been born into this family.

2. Gold and love are hard to hide.
3. He bought an alarm clock not to oversleep.
4. Judging from the books and papers on the writing-table he must have been working
since they left him in the morning.
5. He seemed to be weighing something in his mind.
6. People don't like to be told what to do.
7. She seems to have grown taller.
8. It ought to have been done long ago; at least before their leaving London.
8 English Grammar Practice

9. I meant to have helped him, no offence was meant.

10. When in Paris, we went to a wonderful restaurant to enjoy an open-air meal.
11. I don't know what Mark's doing. He may be studying in his room.
12. He pretended to have forgotten her name.
13. The Rolex company are the first to have developed the idea of a modern watch.
14. He claims to have worked here before.
15. They seem to have been fighting all their lives.
16. He's a slow worker! I could have done the job twice in the time he's taken.
17. An intelligence test sometimes shows a man how smart he would have been not to have
taken it.

Ex. 4 Underline the correct forms.

1. Helen can't have been trying /to have tried to call us all day. The phone hasn't rung once.
2. I like fo give/to be given presents to friends, but even more I like to give/to be given
gifts.
3. He was sorry not to notice/not to have noticed the fax on the secretary's table.
4. The third key remained fo have been tested/to be tested.
5. That woman is still sitting. She seems to be waiting/to have been waiting over an hour.
6. I intended to have been reminded/ to have reminded you of it earlier.
7. Jack appears to overtake/ to have overtaken John on the last lap. — Yes, let's go and
congratulate him!
8. How can she work/be working in the garden now? It is already dark.
9. This meeting, Edwina realized, must have planned/ have been planned several hours
ago.
10. The man seemed to study/to be studying me and I felt uneasy in his presence.
11. Progress might be/have been all right once, but it has gone on too long.
12. Many buildings were reported fo have damaged/to have been damaged by the fire.
13. I'd rather walk/have walked a little before going to bed later tonight.
14. If happiness could buy / be bought, few of us could pay / be paid the price.

Ex. 5 Fill in the correct forms of the infinitives.

1. Everybody is going (to give) a rise.

2. How fortunate he is (to travel) all over the world and (to see) so much of it.
3. He kept late hours last night, he may still (to sleep).
4. She seems (to work) at her course paper since spring and says she has still a lot (to do).
5. She must (to be) very beautiful years ago.
6. The manuscript appears (to write) in Greek.
7. This book is likely (to publish) and (to appear) on sale pretty soon.
8. He was seen (to disappear) in the distance.
The Morphological Categories of the Infinitive 9
9. The book was believed (to lose) until the librarian found it during the inventory. It turned
out (to misplace).
10. It was (to be) a non-stop flight, but the plane had to make a forced landing.
11. I'd sooner (to stay) at home than see this play.
12. Office affairs are easy (to begin) and difficult (to finish).
13. In the morning he was nowhere (to see).
14. Half of the modern medicines could well (to throw) out of the window except that the
birds might (to eat) them.
15. She seemed (to pay) no attention to what was going round her.

Translate into English.

1. Я рад, что дал вам эту книгу.

2. Я рад, что мне дали эту книгу.
3. Мы хотим проинформировать вас об этом.
4. Мы хотим, чтобы нас проинформировали об этом.
5. Мы рады, что встретили его на станции.
6. Мы рады, что нас встретили на станции.
7. Они очень довольны, что их пригласили на конференцию.
8. Они очень довольны, что пригласили вас на конференцию.
9. Я не думал прерывать ее.
10. Я не предполагал, что меня прервут.
11. Мне неловко, что я причинил вам столько беспокойства.
12. Он будет счастлив, что повидался с вами.
13. Он, казалось, подыскивал нужные слова.
14. Ему повезло, что он побывал в такой интересной поездке.
15. Он терпеть не может, когда над ним шутят.
16. Дети любят, когда им рассказывают сказки.
17. Вы, кажется, уже давно здесь сидите.
18. Посмотрите на него! Он, очевидно, решает какую-то важную задачу.
19. Вряд ли они запомнили мой адрес.
20. Не может быть, чтобы он сидел в читальном зале с самого утра. Наверное, он уже
ушел.
10 English Grammar Practice

THE BARE INFINITIVE AND THE TO-INFINITIVE

The marker TO is generally put before the infinitive. Still, there are cases when the so-called bare
infinitives - infinitives without TO -a re used.
Ш We use bare infinitives
1. after auxiliary verbs.
I will come to see you.
He didn't come on time.

2. after most modal verbs except ought to, have to, be to. Compare:
Need you have paid so much ? — I needn't have done it.
You don't need to leave yet, do you ? — /need to get some sleep.

How dare you say, that? — I dared not deceive you.

He didn't dare to sav what he thought.

3. after the expressions had better, would rather/ sooner (than), cannot (choose) but.
You had better stay where you are.
I would rather be sleeping now.

4. after verbs denoting sense perception hear, see, watch, observe, notice, feel in the active voice.
After these verbs in the passive voice infinitives retain their marker TO. Compare:
They saw the boy borrow my bicycle.
The boy was seen to borrow my bicycle.

IMPORTANT! The infinitive to be after feel is used with the marker TO.
I felt it to be the truth.

5. after the verb let.

Let me go,!

6. after the verb make in the active voice in the meaning 'to force = заставлять'. Compare:
What makes you say so?
He was made to retype the passage.

7. after the verb have in the meanings 'to allow, tell or arrange for somebody to do something =
допускать, велеть, заставлять'
I will not have you argue with your Mom.
= Я не потреплю, чтобы ты спорил с мамой.
The Morphological Categories of the Infinitive: 11
8. to introduce questions, suggestions in infinitive sentences beginning with why (not).
Why pay more?
Why not stay with us?

Ш The marker TO is optional

1. after the verb help. BUT! Infinitives in the negative forms retain the marker TO after the verb help.
Compare:
She helped me (to) do it.
She helped me not to do it.
2. after the expressions what smb / something does is, all somebody / something did was, the least
/most we can do and the like.
What a fire-door does is (to) delay the spread offire.
All I did was (to) give him a little push.
The most they could do was (to) leave immediately.

3. after the perfect form of know (- experience= замечать, видеть)

I have known it (to) snow in July before.
I haven't known her (to) weep before.

INFINITIVES AFTER CONJUNCTIONS

When infinitives are joined by and, as, as well as, but, except, like, or, rather than, than the marker
TO of the second infinitive is often dropped.
I want you to iron or do the rooms upstairs.
I intended to sit in the garden and write letters.
It is easier to do the dishes myself than ask you to do it.
It is as easy to smile as frown.
I have to feed the animals as well as look after the children.
Why don't you do something useful like water the flowers?
Rather than wait any more, I decided to go home.
After but and except in such phrases as do anything but / except; do nothing but / except; do
everything but/ except; do much but/except bare infinitives are used.
He does nothing but complain.
Could you do anything but ask questions?
My dog does everything except speak.
We don't do much in the evening except watch television.

! When joined asyndetically (without any conjunctions), infinitives retain their markers.
He came to see me, to eniov the quiet country life, to get away from it all.
12 English Grammar Practice

INFINITIVES REPRESENTED BY THE MARKER TO

To avoid repetition, an infinitive is sometimes represented by its marker TO.
Do you live in Paris? - No, but I used to.
= Вы живете в Париже? - Нет, но раньше жил.
This is chiefly done:
• after verbs ask to, dare to, desire to, dream to, expect to, forget to, hate to, hope to, intend to,
like to, love to, mean to, need to, plan to, promise to, refuse to, try to, want to, wish to.
Mark Twain said: "Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to."

• after modal verbs ought to, have to;

Nobody wants to assist him, but I ought to / have to.
• after phrases: be able to, be afraid to, be allowed to, be determined to, be glad to, be going to, be
made to, have the occasion to, have the right to, used to, would hate to, would like / love toJ etc,
He tried to swim across the stream but was not able to.
He did not feel like doing his room, but he was made to-
Would you like to come with us? - Yes, I would love to.

SPLIT INFINITIVES
The markerTO may be separated from the infinitive by an adverb. Split infinitives used to be considered
bad style, but now they are acceptable to give a special emphasis to the verb.
She does not want to even see me, to spy nothing of going out.
It would take years to really master the subject.
Fhe Morphological Categories of the Infinitive 13

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Ex. 7 ■ Supply the missing marker TO.

1. He never let himself be angry.

2. 1have look after the children as well as feed the animals.
3. You'd better not say what you think.
4. You may as well tell us the truth.
5. 1used live in a caravan.
6. Where would you like have lunch?
7. You must take care not offend her.
8. 1don't want them think you in the wrong.
9. The least we can do is try and understand this idea.
10. Mrs. Carey rose help her lay the cloth.
11. People sometimes hurt you, but it is not because they mean.
12. It heartened Mary hear him speak so lightly.
13. Lisa felt herself grow red to the tips of her toes.
14. He was seen sneak quietly in the room.
15. Jack couldn't get his car start.
16. It's easier do it yourself than explain to somebody else how do it.
17. Live all you can. It's a mistake not.

Ex. 8 y j Use the required form of the infinitive in brackets. Insert the marker 70 where necessary.
A.
1. Let's (not stay out) long.
2. I could not but (admit) that he was right.
3. How dare you (open) my letters!
4. He was heard (knock) on the door twice.
5. Could you help me (carry) this bag?
6. You oughtn't (show) your feelings.
7.. I'd rather (go) for a walk in the rain than (do) nothing at all.
8. Susan must (oversleep), because it's 10 am and she's not in theoffice yet.
9. I'm sorry, I should (let) you (know) about it long ago.
10. I heard the door (open) and saw a shadow (move) across the floor.
11. Need we really (leave) so early?
12. I have never known him (speak) so rudely before.
13. There is nothing (do) but (wait) till somebody comes (let) us out.
14. She had the child (drink) a glass of warm milk.
15. The kidnappers told the parents (not inform) the police, and the parents didn't dare
(disobey).
16. Will we need (show) our passports?
17. "If you've got nothing to say," I said, "why (try) (say) it? Why not (have) a little rest?"
14 English Grammar Practice

B.
1. There was one announcement (make).
2. She hoped (accomplish) the task by the end of the week, but she failed.
3. All I wanted (do) was (cut) the formalities short.
4. I'm sorry (disappoint) you but I can't let you (have) any money till the end of the month.
5. You are (not mention) this to anyone.
6. I think he must (suffer) from injury now.
7. He is expected (arrive) in a few days.
8. I haven't done much for you. You might (ask) much more at that time.
9. It's very interesting (hear) you (say) that.
10. She noticed that he seemed (look) at the sideboard and with her engaging smile leaned
forward.
11. She liked (like), (think) worthy of confidence.

Change the sentences as shown.

Model: I couldn't understand the timetable, (wasn't able)

/ wasn't able to understand the timetable.
1. It's important to eat enough. (You should)
2. I'd like to go sailing this summer. (I might)
3. She'll probably get married in June. (She expects)
4. I said I would help her. (I agreed)
5. It's necessary to make careful plans. (We must)
6. Perhaps he's ill. (He seems)
7. I want to change my job. (I wish I could)
8. I may come and see you next week. (I hope)
9. You don't need to apologize. (You needn't)
10. They will open a new branch in London. (They have decided)
11. I will certainly pay you on Saturday. (I promise)
12. I couldn't find the ticket office. (I didn't manage)
13. I prefer to go by myself. (I would rather)
14. She said she wouldn't see him again. (She refused)
15. I can play chess. (I've learnt)
The Morphological Categories of the Infinitive 15

Join the beginning and end of the sentences using the marker TO where necessary.

1. The coffee isn't strong enough a. leave the ship.

2. 1have never known him b. make a brilliant career.
3. The captain was the last c. work on a farm.
4. You must d. have time to pack.
5. The murderer is said e. put on the cornflakes?
6. 1am ready to do anything but f. have telephoned you, but 1forgot.
7. Why don't you do something useful like g pay for a drink himself.
8. He got up very early in order (TO) h. be hiding in the woods near your house.
9. 1was too terrified i. move.
10. Is there any milk j- have annoyed your sister yesterday.
11. 1meant k. lend me your umbrella?
12. Would you be so kind as 1. climb Everest without oxygen?
13. Her ambition is m. marry a penniless man.
14. She would rather die than n keep us awake.
15. Who was the first person 0 . clean the flat?

Щ Find and correct the errors if there are any.

1. Did you feel the earth move?

2. She liked this kind of thing. Some people pretended not.
3. This skirt needs be cleaned.
4. You look tired. Why not to take a holiday?
5. Could you help me to unload the car?
6. Are you and Gillian getting married? — We hope.
7. You ought have spared her feelings.
8. We had nothing to do except to look at the cinema posters.
9. The teacher had us to learn a long poem by heart.
10. They were heard to ask the policeman for directions.
11. Robert seems have been working on the same project for ages.
12. I was made look stupid at yesterday's meeting.
13. Writers write not because they have to but because they wish.
14. The visitors were allowed take pictures in the gallery.
15. The white yacht was seen leave the harbor and disappear in the distance.
16. This expensive medicine is not be found anywhere.
17. I couldn't but to take the abandoned kitten home.
18. We like machines that think but are afraid of people who try.
16 English Grammar Practice

Translate the parts given in brackets into English.

1. (Мне пришлось) put off my trip till next summer.
2. (Вам бы лучше) warn them against going there alone.
3. (Позволь мне) take this decision on my own.
4. (Им ничего не оставалось как) agree to their daughter's wedding.
5. The child (заставили) tidy his room up.
6. Are you interested in going to University? — (Да, мне бы хотелось.)
7. You (следует) respect elderly people.
8. (Почему бы не) get a take-away meal tonight for a change?
9. She (должна была позвонить) me two hours ago. Something terrible (должно быть,
случилось).
10. (Я не могла не заметить) her new hair colour and trendy clothes.
11. He (предпочел бы поехать) to ski in the Alps last winter than (лететь) to the Maldives.
12. I noticed George (вздохнул с облегчением) after he read the letter.
13. I would sooner recycle our rubbish (чем покупать) non-recyclable goods.
14. Why can't you go with us? — (Мне не разрешают.)
15. George (помог мне) investigate the matter.
16. I (пожалуй) have a cup of camomile tea before going to bed.
17. Would you be so helpful as (чтобы поднести) this heavy bag for me?

Translate the sentences into English. Pay attention to the marker TO.

1. Разреши Марку помочь мне написать сочинение.

2. Вы, должно быть, приняли его за кого-то другого.
3. Тебе бы лучше не вмешиваться в это дело.
4. Я почувствовал, как мое сердце дрогнуло.
5. Боюсь, я не смогу прийти. Но я постараюсь.
6. Почему бы не устроить вечеринку в его честь?
7. Было слышно, как ребенок разбил что-то в детской.
8. Вам, возможно, придется прийти завтра.
9. Им ничего не оставалось делать, как ждать утреннего поезда.
10. Ты не подписал свой тест. — Да, я забыл.
11. Я не могу заставить себя попробовать это блюдо.
12. Он предпочел бы вчера промолчать.
13. Она заметила, как симпатичный незнакомец подмигнул ей.
14. Как ты смеешь называть меня обманщиком?
15. Я не слышал, как ты вошла в комнату.
16. Зачем притворяться, что тебе все равно?
17. Одеяло нужно постирать сегодня.
18. Почему ты с ним не танцевала? — Он меня не попросил.
 The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 17

THE SYNTACTIC FUNCTIONS OF THE INFINITIVE

In linguistics, syntactic functions refer to constituents in a sentence - subjects, predicates, objects,
attributes, etc. - and relationships between them. The ways in which infinitives function in sentences
reflect their verbal and nominal characteristics. '
Ш Syntactically, the verbal character of the infinitive is expressed in its combinability.
(a) Infinitives can be modified by adverbials.

I am afraid I cannot drive faster.

We are not prepared to wait any longer.

(b) infinitives can take prepositional objects.

He was taught to l o ^ afterhlmself.

(c) Infinitives of transitive verbs can take direct objects.

He seemed to know everything.

ffl Infinitives manifest their nominal character when they are used as subjects, predicatives, objects4.
To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven, [a subject]
Our aim is to succeed, [a predicative]
Was Arabic very difficult to learn? [part of a predicative]
I promise to wait, [an object]

Ш Infinitives can perform their syntactic functions alone or in combination with other words. They
may form:
• infinitive phrases that operate as one syntactic whole. Thus, we find phrasal subjects, phrasal
predicatives, phrasal objects, phrasal attributes and phrasal adverbials. A phrasal part of
the sentence can also be expressed by a conjuctive infinitive phrase, often referred to as a
wh-phrases. This phrase is introduced by a conjuctive pronoun or adverb: who, what, where,
when, whether, how (long/ much) and tne like.
To study languages has been his long cherished dream, [a phrasal subject]
Where to ao was a mistery. [a phrasal subject]
A victory you can get over the enemy is to beat him at politeness, [a phrasal predicative]
The problem was what to tell Alice and where to ao. [a phrasal predicative]
Never advise anyone to ao to war or to marry, [a phrasal object]
He didn't know what to sav. [a phrasal object]
4 For details see THE INFINITIVE AS A SUBJECT, THE INFINITIVE ASA Predicate and THE INFINITIVE AS A OBJECT.
18 English Grammar Practice

The best way to predict the future is to invent it. [a phrasal attribute]
Cats are intended to teach us. [a phrasal adverbial]

• predicative complexes that operate as one syntactic whole. We find complex subjects, complex
predicates, complex objects, complex attributes and complex adverbials. Predicative constructions
with the infinitives are discussed at greater length later in this book.5
For a woman to know everything about her children is natural, [a complex subject]
This problem is not for me to solve, [a complex predicate]
Everybody saw Janet leave, didn't they? [a complex object]
There is so much for a visitor to see in Prague, [a complex attribute]
He stepped aside for me to pass, [a complex adverbial]

THE INFINITIVE AS A SUBJECT

To love and be loved is to fe e l the sun from both sides.

David Viscott
It is possible to store the m ind with a million fa cts and
still be entirely uneducated.
Alec Bourne
Ш Infinitive subjects follow two patterns. In pattern 1 the infinitive subject is placed first. Starting a
sentence with a to-infinitive is more common in formal, written English.
To compromise appears advisable.
= Идти на компромиссы кажется разумным.

То have made the same mistake was unforgivable.

= To, что была сделана та же ошибка, было непростительно.
Pattern 2 is characteristic of everyday language. The infinitive subject is introduced by a formal
subject IT. Semantically, the subject that is moved to the end of the sentence is slightly more
accentuated. It here is known as the introductory IT.
It appears advisable to compromise.
= Идти на компромиссы кажется разумным.

It was unforgivable to have made the same mistake.

= To, что было сделана та же ошибка, было непростительно.

It was nice of her to take care of mv flowers.

= Cee стороны было мило заботиться о моих цветах.

5 For details see PREDICATIVE COMPLEXES WITH THE INFINITIVE.

The Syntactic Functions of the infinitive 19
IMPORTANT! Interrogative sentences follow pattern 2.
Would it be safe to camp here?
= Было ли бы безопасно разбить здесь лагерь?

Ш Any form of the infinitive can be used to express the subject.

It was my intention to show her the change in our city.
It was a pleasure to be listening to you.
It seemed incredible to have completed so much within such a short time.
It must be nice to have been rowing for hours.
It was surprising to be recognized after years of absence.
It was a shock for him to have been questioned in such a way.

ffl If there are two or more homogeneous infinitive subjects in a sentence, all of them keep the
marker TO.
It was difficult to do nothing about it. to tell nobody of it and to foraet it all.

Ш Structurally, the infinitive subjects can be

• simple - expressed by a single infinitive.
To understand is to forgive.

• phrasal - expressed by (a) an infinitive phrase or (b) a conjunctive infinitive phrase.

(a) To ask him aaain was impossible.
(b) Where to ao was a mystery.

• complex - expressed by a predicative construction with an infinitive. 6

For him to earn bread was a problem.
She was heard to olav the guitar in the garden

Ш The predicate of an infinitive subject takes the form of the third person singular.
To talk to him bores us.
To be recognized was a joy.

6 Complex subjects are discussed at greater length later in the book. For a more detailed analysis see THE FOR-TO-
INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTION and THE SUBJECTIVE INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTION.
20 English Grammar Practice

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Translate into Russian and comment on the form of the infinitives.

A.
1. To go out alone in the middle of the night is risky.
2. It is strange to see you alone.
3. It would be wrong to be showing these letters around.
4. It's nice of him to be interested in my affairs.
5. To die is nothing; but it is terrible not to live.
6. To have given up after such hard work seems a shame.
7. To find them in so short a time would have beennext to impossible.
8. The girl was only four but it delighted us to be talking with her.
9. 'It's a shame to have woken you up/ said Sally stepping in.
10. 'That would be a good idea/ she said. 'It's so clever of you to have thought of it.'
11. It was exciting to be discovering new things every day.
12. Everybody liked Sally. It was a treat to be talking to her and to be charmed by her smile.
13. To have met Billie there was bad enough, but to have been noticed by Ann was even
worse.
14. Mike related the story for the sixteenth time. It was a pleasure to have found a listener
and to be listened to.

B.
1. It is strange to be known so universally and yet to be so lonely.
2. It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
3. It is tedious to be thinking about it all the time.
4. When guns speak it is too late to argue.
5. To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer.
6. It sounds strange to have been living in a town for ten years and not to be able to find
the right street.
7. It is difficult to make predictions, especially about the future.
8. It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
9. Is it so small a thing to have enjoyed the sun, to have loved, to have thought, to have
hoped?
10. It is possible to fail in many ways...while to succeed is possible only in one way.
11. Whether they give or refuse, it delights people just the same to have been asked.
12. Oh, it is excellent to have a giant's strength; but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant.
13. It is a good rule in life never to apologize. The right sort of people do not want apologies,
and the wrong sort do not deserve them.
14. It is absurd to divide people into good or bad. People are either charming or tedious.
15. Sleep is lovely, death is better still, not to have been bom is the miracle.
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 21

Match the parts of the sentences.

1. It is a great ability a) to be accused of a murder you didn't commit.

2. It takes two b) to be able to conceal one's ability.
3. It's a lady's privilege c) to be superstitious.
4. It is useless d) to change her mind.
5. It is bad luck e) to flog a dead horse.
6. It is easy f) to make a quarrel.
7. It feels strange g) to be brave from a safe distance.
8. It's terrible h) to be called the Queen.

Ex. 16 Paraphrase sentences according to the examples given.

Model: I can't believe what he says, (hard) -> It is hard to believe what he says.
1. I couldn't refuse his invitation. (impossible)
2. We were taken to the Zoo. (fun)
3. Translating this text may present difficulties, (difficult)
4. Everybody was surprised to see her again, (surprise)
5. I was delighted when we had made it up finally, (delightful)
6. Don't phone Bob. He is sleeping already, (too late)
7. Whenever you have to look after children, you feel tired, (tiring)
8. We were horrified when we had our first quarrel, (horrible)
9. When we were soaring like birds in the white sky, we felt excited, (exciting)
10. I was annoyed when I had lost my key again, (annoying)
11. Worrying where the children might be is nightmarish, (nightmare)
12. When we took off our wet boots, we felt relieved, (relief)
13. It's no use discussing it. (useless)
14. If you break a mirror, you will be unlucky, (bad luck)
15. I dread being alone in such a place, (dreadful)

Ex. 17 Combine the sentences so as to use infinitives as subjects.

Model: She helped us. It was so kind. It was kind of her to help us.
He came withoutflowers. What a mistake! -> It was a mistake to have come withoutflowers.
1. Don't eat too much. It is an unhealthy habit.
2. I forgot everything I knew. It's a disaster!
3. We were crossing the river on a tiny boat. It was dangerous.
4. They left the bicycles outside. It is so silly of them!
5. Why did he make that remark? It was so rude!
6. You should go by train. Trains are safer than airplanes.
22 English Grammar Practice

7. Why did we believe them? We were so silly.

8. He didn't contribute anything. It is so selfish.
9. Why don't you want to accept their offer? It would be foolish.
10. You say you found the house empty? — Yes, it was so odd.
11. We were sitting there silently for an hour. It seemed so natural.
12. You have to work on Sundays? — It's almost a crime!
13. He pulled strings to get Mrs Worting dismissed. It is so mean of him.
14. He recognized me after all these years. What a joy!
15. Why are you wasting your time like that? It doesn't do you any good.
16. He was making strange remarks through the interview. It was unbecoming of him.

Ex. 18 Change the sentences using the continuous infinitive, the passive and perfect forms
of the infinitive. Use the words in bold type as prompts.

Models: I was pleased that I was introduced to you.

pleasure -> It was a pleasure to be introduced to you.
I have been working with you for five years.
honour -> It's an honour to have been working with you for five years.

1.
I felt delight when I was finally noticed.
delightful ........................................................................................................
2. You feel awful when you are judged so negatively.
feels..................................................................................................................
3. I have been invited to their party. I am truly surprised.
is.......................................................................................................................
4. He has been living in fear for such a long time.
awful................................................................................................................
5. So, you have been given a second chance... You may consider yourself lucky,
great luck.........................................................................................................
6. We were caught in a trap. Believe me, it's terrible.
caught...............................................................................................................
7. Everybody has forgotten me. It is so convenient.
been..................................................................................................................
8. I have been having this splitting headache for two days. I can't bear it any more,
unbearable.......................................................................................................
9. This thought haunted me for years. It is a strange feeling.
have..................................................................................................................
10. She has been through hard times, and now nobody offers her any help. It's unthinkable!
offered..............................................................................................................
11. We were wandering in the forest for two days. It was a nightmare!
be......................................................................................................................
12. It can't be chickenpox! Is it possible that their diagnosis is wrong?
misdiagnosed with..........................................................................................
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive___________________________________________________________ 23

13. We lost to a worthy rival. It is not a failure.

lost...........................................

I Complete the following using infinitives as subjects.

1. It's a silly superstition.... 8. It's a rigid must....

2. It's beyond my powers.... 9. It's no picnic....
3. It's out of the question.... 10. It's not cricket....
4. It pays... . 11. It's sheer madness....
5. It's no big deal.... 12. It's unfeminine....
6. It's no laughing matter.... 13. It's something....
7. It's a man-sized job... . 14. It's very shabby of you.

Ex. 20 Translate the sentences using the phrases from exercise 19.
1. Быть во главе большого коллектива что-то да значит.
2. И речи быть не может о том, чтобы продать дом.
3. Нечестно пытаться получить повышение таким способом.
4. Нужно обязательно помогать друзьям в беде.
5. Бояться черных кошек — глупые предрассудки.
6. Получить выговор — не повод для смеха.
7. Помыть машину особого труда не представляет.
8. Просто сумасшествие гулять босиком в такую погоду.
9. С твоей стороны очень некрасиво было не пригласить их в дом.
10. Снести эту стену по плечу только мужчине.
11. Ты считаешь, что женщине не пристало заниматься боксом?
12. Я не в силах этого понять.
13. Всегда имеет смысл планировать заранее.
14. Не так-то просто вести машину всю ночь.

Ex. 21 | Translate the fragments given in brackets using infinitives as subjects.

1. When the stomach is full, (легко говорить о диете).

2. (Лучше знать) some of the questions than alf of the answers.
3. (Было ужасно вставать с постели) in that kind of "sleep-in" weather.
4. (Лучше спросить дорогу) than go astray.
5. (Глупо наказывать соседей) by fire when you live next door.
6. (Бесполезно винить) the looking glass if your face is awry.
7. (Выгодно казаться глупым) if one is wise.
8. (Понимать, что нужно делать, и не делать этого) is lack of courage.
24 English Grammar Practice

9. (Невозможно перемещаться) fasterthan the speed of light, and certainly not desirable,
as one's hat keeps blowing off.
10. (Тяжело создать хороший фильм) when every twelve minutes it is interrupted by
twelve dancing rabbits singing about toilet paper.
11. (Никогда не бывает слишком поздно отказаться от) our prejudices.
12. (Воспринимать его всерьез и следовать его советам) was absurd.
13. (Невозможно наслаждаться) idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do.
14. (Лучше молчать и считаться глупцом) than to speak out and remove all doubt.
15. Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, (пора остановиться и
обдумать это).
16. (Вечно планировать) to make a better life but never to find time for it is like putting off
eating and drinking and sleeping until you're dead.

Щ Translate the sentences using infinitives as subjects.

1. Учиться никогда не поздно.

2. Проще простить врага, чем друга.
3. Приятно, что я оказался вам полезен.
4. Восстановить дворец стоило бы больших денег.
5. Было бы неправильно не предупредить их.
6. Идти в кино было слишком поздно.
7. Бесполезно было пытаться сделать это за один день.
8. Быть другом требует времени.
9. Моей обязанностью было готовить чай по утрам и вечерам.
10. Так приятно, когда тебе, наконец, дали отпуск.
11. Тяжело жить с людьми, которых любишь, и не давать им советы.
12. Ничего не делать — это одно из самых сложных занятий.
13. Давать советы всегда глупо, но еще глупее давать полезные советы.
14. В настоящем жить сложно, а в прошлом — невозможно.
15. Полезно, когда вам напоминают о ваших достижениях.
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 25

THE INFINITIVE AS PART OF A PREDICATE

To continue our discussion, study the diagram below.

The predicate is the second main part of the sentence and its organizing centre. Structurally, it can
be either simple or compound. The latter consists of two parts: the structural and the notional. The
structural part carries grammatical information - the person, number, tense, voice, mood, modality
of the predicate. It is expressed by a finite verb - a link verb, phasal verb, modal verb or modal
expression. The notional part is the bearer of lexical meaning.
The infinitive can be used as the notional part of compound nominal and compound verbal predicates.

THE INFINITIVE AS A PREDICATIVE

The first duty of love is to listen

Paul Tillich

Every child is an artist. The problem is how

to remain an artist once he grows up.
Pablo Picasso

compound nominal predicate = link verb + PREDICATIVE

My son's ambition is.

26 English Grammar Practice

Ш The predicative is the notional part of a compound nominal predicate. It denotes an action or a state
of the subject. Predicatives are mainly expressed by non-perfect infinitives, both active and passive.
Her dream is to love and to be loved.
= Ее мечта - любить и быть любимой.
Ш Structurally, the infinitive predicatives can be
• simple - expressed by a single infinitive.
His plan was to return.
• phrasal - expressed by (a) an infinitive phrase or (b) a conjunctive infinitive phrase.
(a) His plan is to keen the affair secret.
(b) The problem was what to tell Alice and where to go.

• complex - expressed by a for-to-infinitive construction.7

His plan was for us to join the group.
Ш The subject of the compound nominal predicate with an infinitive predicative can be expressed by:
certain nouns.
action custom happiness need reason
advice desire hope object risk
aim difficulty idea order role
ambition duty ideal plan rule
attempt experience instruction principle task
business function job problem thing
consequence habit method purpose wish, etc.

His rule was never to return.

My duty is to serve meals.
2. words all, the most, the least with an attributive clause attached to them.
A ll/ the most / the least we can do is to aet out of here.
3. a single infinitive, infinitive phrase or infinitive construction.
To see is to believe.
To see her was to admire.
For Johanna to see the baby was to suffer again her loss.

4. a clause.
What Napoleon wanted to do was to fiaht the whole world.
What he has done is to spoil the whole thing.

7 For details see THE FOR-TO-INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTION

The Syntactic Functions o f the Infinitive 27

THE INFINITIVE AS PART OF A PREDICATIVE

A ll truths are easy to understand when they are

discovered; the point is to discover them.
Galileo Galilei
f fl The infinitive can be used as part of a predicative. It is mainly the non-perfect active infinitive. Let
us look at the example.
She is easy to deal with.
= С ней легко иметь дело.

is easy to deal with

a compound nominal predicate

is
a link verb
71 easy to deal with
a predicative

p easy ^ ^ to deal with

part of a predicative

Ш The infinitive used as part of a predicative follow

• adjectives: convenient, difficult, easy, enjoyable, good, hard, impossible, pleasant, ready, quick,
(un)safe, slow, etc.
My granny is pleasant to talk to but hard to please.
= С моей бабушкой приятно говорить, но ей трудно угодить.

• nouns: delight, fun, joy, problem, prompt, etc.

Such problems are fun to solve.
= Такие задачи решать одно удовольствие.

ffl In this function, the infinitives are active in form but passive in meaning.
Japanese is difficult to learn.
= Японский трудно учить.
His theory is impossible to understand.
= Его теорию невозможно понять.

NOTE, study the following examples to see the difference between the infinitive as a predicative
and the infinitive as part of a predicative. Compare:
My goal is to speak English fluently, [a predicative]
= Моя цель - бегло говорить по-английски.
My goal is easy to achieve, [part of a predicative]
= Мою цель легко достичь.
28 English Grammar Practice

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Translate into Russian and comment on the use of the infinitives.

A.
1. His only dream was to buy a house.
2. He will be difficult to persuade.
3. All he did was to print his name.
4. It is easy to deal with her.
5. She is easy to deal with.
6. It took me an hour to get there.
7. His first sign of returning strength was to ask for brandy.
8. The problem was howto tell him about it.
9. He is a delight to listen to.
10. The part of Hamlet is difficult to cast.
11. The parade was a joy to watch.
12. The pudding is easy to make.
13. The difficulty was where to cross the river.
14. It's awfully good of you to have come here.
15. A small car would be cheap to run.

B.
1. Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.
2. All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover
them.
3. The most important thing is to be whatever you are without shame.
4. A man's silence will be wonderful to listen to.
5. The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make
one.
6. It takes a long time to become a personality.
7. The best thing is to look natural, but it takes make-up to look natural.
8. To be upset over what you don't have is to waste what you do have.
9. Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
10. It is easy to be wise after the event.
11. What most people need to learn in life is how to love people and use things instead of
using people and loving things.
12. It's dangerous to generalize from a limited number of examples.
13. To read a book for the first time was to make the acquaintance of a new friend; to read
it a second time was to meet an old one.
14. Life is easier than you'd think; all that is necessary is to accept the impossible, do without
the indispensable, and bear the intolerable.
15. To believe is to know you believe, and to know you believe is not to believe.
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 29

Ex. 24 Make up sentences, using the following infinitives with the adjectives from the table
below.

to deal with
funny to remember
Our cat interesting to understand
l/You/She/He/We/They hard to carry
My boyfriend (un)pleasant to see
Our neighbours difficult to hear
Their house nice to forget
The film easy to persuade
Your words (un)comfortable to argue with
The sofa (in)convenient to sit on
The argument amusing to follow
The rule useful to look at
The suitcase charming to talk to
His advice restful to account for
This problem fun to avoid
joy to watch
problem to agree to
delight to please
to answer
to find

Paraphrase the following sentences according to the model.

Model: It is hard to please him. -> He is hard to please.

1. It is not difficult to remember the rule.
2. It's very comfortable to sit in my Grandfather's armchair.
3. It was difficult to get along with him.
4. It's not very easy to translate this passage.
5. It is pleasant to look at the girl, but not at all pleasant to talk to her.
6. It was unpleasant to watch their quarrel.
7. It's always funny to listen to his stories.
8. It would be useful to follow Uncle Jack's advice.
9. It is difficult to explain his behaviour.
10. It is rather hard to read his handwriting.
11. It is very pleasant to listen to him.
12. It is hard to polish a diamond.
13. It is very comfortable to work at this desk.
14. It was very amusing to watch the scene.
15. It was easy to follow the track.
30 English Grammar Practice

Щ Paraphrase the following sentences starting with the words given.

1. He aims to become a top chef by the age of 30.

His aim __________________________________________________________
2. Discussing problems with a friend can be helpful.
It_______________________________________________________________
3. I have come to congratulate you and to wish you every success.
What I have come for______________________________________________
4. There was no necessity to re-do it.
It _______________________________________________________________
5. He wrote abstracts of articles on the subject of research. That was his job.
His job ____________________________________________
6. Worrying and fussing was useless.
To worry_________________________________________________ __
7. Younger siblings want to establish their own identity. That is their main priority.
The main priority o f________________________________________________
8. All they wanted was to make themselves understood.
To m ake_________________________________________________________
9. You should take a long rest. This is the only thing that could do you good.
The only thing___________________________________________________ _
10. The question is not easy to answer.
It_______________________________________________________________
11. I must ask you a few questions on the matter. It is my duty.
It's my duty_______________________________________________________
12. You are to check up the results of the observations. It's your next task.
Your next task____________________________________________
13. The sculpture was completely ruined. The restoration was impossible.
It_______________________________________________________________
14. I didn't want to offend you. That was the last thing I meant.
The last thing____________________________________________________ _
15. We have to cut costs. It's the only way to survive.
The only w ay_____________________________________________________
The Syntactic Functions of the infinitive 31

Complete the sentences using the infinitives from the right column as subjects or
predicatives.

1. He left. for him now was a torture. a) to repair

2. My next plan was to the house, avoiding Wells if b) to go on
possible. c) to hear
3. It was impossible the bicycle. d) to try
4. My advice to you is a coach tour. e) to speak
5. It took us twelve days the island. f) to tell
6. The onlv thing she could do was the truth. g) to wait
7. At this moment required more effort than she could h) to return
make. i) to search
8. The greatest thing is our heads up. j) to keep
9. It is such a comfort vou sav so, doctor.
10. There was no water nearby and the only thing was
to find it somewhere.

Complete the following using infinitives as subjects, predicatives or parts of predicatives.

1. She is pleasant_________________ .
2. The main problem is.
3. would be unjust.
4. My hobby is.
5. The book was difficult
6. Our plan was_______
7. _________________was very pleasant.
8. The sentence is easy__________and useful.
9. The best way to master a foreign language is.
10. _________________is the only thing to do.
11. The next thing to be done is _____________
12. would be much more useful.
13. His only wish is .
14. What he says is pleasant____ but hard
15. Our only chance to see him is
16. is not an easy matter.
17. Our aim was________________
18. All she cooks is nice__________ and delicious
19. This problem will not be difficult.
20 . The first thing he did was______
21 . The boy is hard______________
22 . What I want is _______________
23. Our next step was____________
32 English Grammar Practice

Find and correct the mistakes if there are any.

1. Is your friend easy to deal with?

2. All I want to do is to help you.
3. Her neighbour was difficult to have talked to.
4. The best thing to do now is to be seen what turn things will take.
5. The most exciting experience he had ever had was to see himself in a film for the first
time.
6. It really hurts me to be going away.
7. Bad habits are easily to acquire and hardly to break.
8. The house was charming to look at, but rather inconvenient to live.
9. It was very kind of you to have helped me change the wheel.
10. The Gadfly was difficult to be convinced.
11. It would be very hard to be found out his true identity.
12. Not to act sooner is his greatest regret.
13. This phenomenon is difficult to explain it.

Ex. 30 Translate the fragments in brackets into English.

1. My way of joking (говорить) the truth. It is the funniest joke in the world.
2. The most he could do at the moment (было дать) me a cup of tea.
3. The reason of his success (будет легко понять).
4. The quickest way of ending a war (проиграть) it.
5. His behaviour (нелегко одобрить).
6. 1belonged to neither groups, and to speak was (принимать) sides.
7. The date of the letter (было невозможно разобрать).
8. To be great (быть непонятым).
9. Her attitude to her duties (будет нелегко смириться).
10. All we are asking for (это чтобы нам дали шанс).
11. Gemma was (приятно смотреть) and (интересно разговаривать).
12. Exotic animals (проблематично ухаживать).
13. (Глупо говорить) that the company is not interested in making money.
14. The least we could do (было попытаться понять) their idea.
15. His greatest claim to fame (состоит в том, что его выбрали) for the last Olympic squad.
16. The next move (будет проконсультироваться) an experienced lawyer.
17. It's impossible (делать обобщения) about what men and women are like.
18. One way to make reading pleasurable (было бы найти) books that your children will
love to read.
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 33

Translate the sentences into English using infinitives as subjects, predicatives or parts
of predicatives.

1. С ней было трудно иметь дело.

2. Это правило нетрудно объяснить.
3. Её настроение легко понять.
4. Единственное, чего ему бы хотелось, — это найти место, где можно пообедать.
5. Ему трудно угодить.
6. Наш план заключался в том, чтобы закончить работу до начала года.
7. Такую роль очень интересно играть.
8. Теперь остается только поместить объявление в газету.
9. В этом доме было удобно жить.
10. Эти инструкции легко выполнимы.
11. Пользоваться телефоном для справок значит экономить время.
12. Это стихотворение легко было выучить наизусть.
13. Проблема была в том, куда пойти учиться.
14. Было бы лучше убедить его работать, чем принуждать его.
15. На него было не очень приятно смотреть.
16. Главное в том, как заставить его поверить нам и послушаться нашего совета.
17. В пьесе слишком много сцен: ее нелегко поставить.
18. Тщетно было пытаться это сделать за один день.
19. Мой вопрос состоит в следующем: когда приступать к работе.
20. Первое, что необходимо было сделать — это посоветоваться с друзьями.
21. Его задача заключалась в том, как объяснить причину отсутствия.
34 English Grammar Practice

THE INFINITIVE AS PART OF A COMPOUND VERBAL PREDICATE

A compound verbal predicate consists of the structural and notional parts. The type of the structural
element determines the kind of the predicate.

THE INFINITIVE AS PART OF A COMPOUND VERBAL MODAL PREDICATE

If you have to keep som ething secret, it's because you

should not be doing it in the first place!
David Nicholls

ffl In compound verbal modal predicates the structural part can be expressed by:
• modal verbs can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, ought to, will, would, need, dare, to
be to, to have to.
We needn't have hurried.
= Он зря спешил.

• modal expressions had better, would rather, would sooner.

He would sooner die than betray his friends.
= Он скорее умрет, чем предаст своих друзей.

Щ After modal expressions and most modal verbs (except ought to, have to, be to) we use bare
infinitives. Compare:
Need you have paid so much? - I needn't have done it.
You don't need to leave yet, do y o u ? -I need to get some sleep.
How dare you say. that? - 1dared not deceive vou.
He didn't dare tosav what he thought.

Щ Any form of the infinitive can be used as part of a compound verbal modal predicate.
I can knit.
Can she be knitting another pullover?
My great-grandmother could have knitted a better pullover for me.
She can't have been knitting all the way from New York to San Diego.
These tiny mittens can be knitted in no time at all.
But for your naughty kitten the scarf could have been knitted.
The Syntactic Functions o f the Infinitive 35
Q There are two types of time reference in compound modal predicates. The type of time reference
in compound verbal modal predicates depends on the meaning of the modal verb.

1. Certain modal verbs have tense forms in some of their meanings. Consequently, in these
meanings the form of the modal verb determines the time reference of the predicate.
I could not read at the age offive.
= Я не умела читать в пятилетнем возрасте.
Не said he miaht come on Christmas Eve.
= Он сказал, что, возможно, приедет в канун Рождества.

It will have to be done as soon as possible.

= Придется это сделать как можно скорее.

2. In some cases the form of the infinitive determines the time reference of the compound verbal
modal predicate.
• Non-perfect infinitives within compound verbal modal predicates may refer actions to the
present, future or no particular time.
The monument should be seen from afar.
= Этот памятник должен быть виден издалека.

You can come to see us next weekend.

= Ты можешь приехать повидаться с нами в следующие выходные.

• Perfect infinitives within compound verbal modal predicates may refer actions to the past.
He mav have arrived last Thursday.
= Он, возможно, приехал в прошлый четверг.

The book should have been written when you travelled in the North.
= Должно быть, книга была написана, когда вы путешествовали по северу.

Jess must have been learning Spanish for at least a year.

= Джесс, наверное, уже учит испанский по крайнее мере год.
36 English Grammar Practice

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Щ Translate into Russian and comment on the use of the infinitives.

A.
1. I have to meet Tom in ten minutes. I'd better go now or I'll be late.
2. It should have been great to see him again after so many years.
3. To smoke like that must be dangerous.
4. That can't have been Nick that you saw.
5. It's a pity you didn't ask because I could have helped you.
6. Everyone was angry because Sam wouldn't turn off the television.
7. I'd rather have pasta than potatoes.
8. "Well," said Lemvine. "I must be going now."
9. He can't have said that; he is such an agreeable person.
10. My plan was to find Roger first thing in the morning, but he was nowhere to be found.
11. I'd rather have gone to the cinema last night. I didn't like the performance we watched.
12. There are times when the traffic here can be very heavy.
13. We've almost run out of petrol. We'd better stop at the next petrol station to fill up.
14. I suppose Bill might have lost his way.
15. Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.

B.
1. Every minute you are thinking of evil, you might have been thinking of good instead.
2. A lifetime of happiness! No man alive could bear it: it would be hell on earth.
3. Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. Onemust never, for whatever
reason, turn his back on life.
4. It's never too late to be who you might have been.
5. I rejoined the others in the small fisherman's cottage and there I had to break the sad
news.
6. — I won't do it! — Yes, you will!
7. The worst thing you can possibly do is worrying and thinking about what you could have
done.

Open the brackets paying attention to the form of the infinitive.

1. I don't want (to go) swimming. I'd rather (to play) tennis.
2. I am not sure what Mike is doing right now. He might (to sit) at home.
3. We are enjoying our holiday, though the weather could (to be) better.
4. A good home must (to make), not (to buy).
5. You shouldn't (to take) that book. You know it's wrong to steal.
6. It must (to snow) heavily, have a look, the ground and all the trees are white.
7. This problem might (to deal with) long time ago. Why should I remind you that?
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 37
8. The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot (to see) or even (to touch). They
must (to feel) within the heart.
9. We could (to buy) a small yacht with what we spent on our dog and all the things he
destroyed. Then again, how many yachts wait by the door all day for your return?

Paraphrase the following sentences using modal verbs or modal expressions.

A.
1. It's forbidden to park on the pavements.
2. I recommend going to Brighton for a week.
3. Do you want me to turn off the oven, or not?
4. I would prefer to eat in than eat out tonight.
5. Is it possible that she has wrongly interpreted your words?
6. He looks very pleased, probably his work has been approved of.
7. It wasn't compulsory to wear school uniform at my school.
8. He isn't capable of speaking quietly!
9. I don't believe that you have lost your keys again!
10. It's \ " ;ible that this text was difficult to translate.
11. Our ;o much was a waste of time.
12. It is important for you to finish by 5.
13. It's possible that the decision will be announced next week.
14. You had better leave before Jack gets back.

B.
1. It isn't a good idea to exercise on a full stomach.
2. Perhaps they didn't notice the tyre was flat.
3. The police refused to do anything about my noisy neighbours.
4. In all probability he didn't like the holiday spent together with Aunt Augusta.
5. Although you are in charge, it doesn't give you the right to be rude.
6. It would have been possible for Helen to give us a lift.
7. They hoped to have spent the summer together but that wasn't destined to be.
8. All that was possible for us to do was to write to him.
9. I expect this beach will be deserted.
10. Don't worry, everything will be arranged as you want, I promise you.
11. It was agreed that Jim would make a speech at the meeting but he had fallen ill, so Tom
was obliged to speak instead.
12. Evidently he didn't know her telephone number. He would have given her a call.
13. Oh, I'll make you regret your words.
14. It would be better if you didn't bring Mary to the party.
15. Jim keeps giving me presents.
38 English Grammar Practice

Complete the following sentences using modal verbs and the appropriate forms of the
infinitives.

1. One thing is for sure, someone_______________________ (to know) about it.

2. There were plenty of tickets left for the concert. W e__________________ (to buy)
them in advance.
3. Pay no attention to what Martin said. He (to be) serious.
4. It's your own fault, you______________________ (not to go) to bed so late.
5. I spent last week at the beach because I _______________ (not to go) to school.
6. George______________________ (to like) it there if he has stayed there for so long.
7. I _______________ (to buy) that car, but Idecided to look at a few others.
8. The heating comes on automatically. You____________________ (not to turn) it on.
9. Not a living being____________________ (to be seen).
10. What about this meat?________________I ____________ (to roast) it o r________
(to stew) it?
11. I begged David to accept some money but he (to hear) of it.
12. Look at these fences! The people here_________________(to be) very unfriendly.
13. You______________ (to be) right, but I still don't agree with you.
14. Don't take a risk like that again! We_______________________ (to lose) because
of you yesterday.
15. The best thing w e____________________(to do) is to tell everybody.
16. He put the moneyin his pocket, and kindly told me, 'Don't make yourself uneasy.
I'll take care of it. It_________________________ (to be) all right'.
17. Mrs. Pearce: What_________________________ (to become) of the girl?______
she (to be paid) anything?

[^ K 7 jV | Correct the mistakes in the following sentences if there are any.

1. You mustn't have forgotten it already!

2. He couldn't but agree to marry Jane in order to please his mother.
3. Fortunately I needn't have gone to the bank in person.
4. It can have been taken months to redecorate the house if the father hadn't hired the
workers to help.
5. He couldn't help laughing when he saw a girl with her father's boots on.
6. You should wear a helmet when you ride your bike — it's the law!
7. I'd sooner not to tell anyone.
8. Something must have happened. He was to come at 8.
9. You must have woken up earlier — you missed the bus!
10. I am sorry I disturbed you — I ought to phone before I came.
11. I would better go to the bank this afternoon.
12. Harry may have won the match with a bit more effort.
13. Eventually I could find the way with the help of a map.
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 39
14. I am afraid you oughtn't to use this phone — I'm expecting an important call.
15. I'd rather had told you the truth earlier.
16. You mustn't help me now if you don't want to.

37 Translate into English the parts given in brackets.

1. You don't look very well. (Тебе бы лучше не ходить) _ to

work today.
2. You (должно быть, многое повидали) in vour life
though you are much younger.
3. We (не нужно было ходить) to the library. We had all the
necessary books.
4. I'm tired. (Пожалуй, я никуда не пойду) this
evening, if you don't mind.
5. We (зря вышли из дому) so early. The train will arrive only
in an hour.
6. They (должны были встретиться) at the rail wav
station at 6 pm.
7. 1wonder what he (может делать здесь) so late? —
He (возможно, ждет) _for Mary.
8. Unfortunately, she (ничего не оставалось делать, как) _
leave.
9. It (наверняка, разозлит его) to hear about it.
10. This (должно было случиться) _ . His absent-mindedness is
widely known.
11. This matter (придется заняться) right awav.
12. Не (частенько сидел часами) reading, paving no
attention to what was going on around him.
13. 1(должен был приготовить) this report bvThursdav
but 1had no time.
14. If he came to our place another time, we (бы и говорить с ним не стали)

15. You (могли с таким же успехом сделать) it bv

yourself.

Ц Translate the sentences into English using modal verbs and modal expressions.

1. Когда должен начаться концерт? — В 7 часов.

2. С какой стати я буду ему первая звонить?
3. Неужели он действительно отказался вам помочь?
4. Лжецу следовало бы иметь хорошую память.
40 English Grammar Practice

5. Замок никак не закрывается! Ты мог бы починить его, в конце концов!

6. Может пойти дождь. Лучше взять с собой зонтик.
7. Боюсь, что вам придется согласиться на их условия.
8. Не может быть, чтобы он придумал это сам.
9. Эту книгу, возможно, нелегко найти.
10. Я обещаю, что все будет сделано. Не нужно беспокоиться.
11. Я бы предпочла, чтобы ты пришла пораньше. Я хочу поговорить с тобой.
12. Такую роль, должно быть, очень интересно играть.
13. Ты никуда не пойдешь, пока не сделаешь уроки!
14. Наверное, он испугал вас своими угрозами.
15. Ах, если бы только я могла предвидеть это!
16. Если бы мы не вмешались, они, может быть, поссорились бы.
17. Вам следовало бы принять во внимание все подробности, когда вы обсуждали этот
вопрос.
18. Право же, вы могли бы подумать о других!
19. Конечно, я бы предпочла, чтобы ты вчера не забыл послать телеграмму.
20. Вы не захотели последовать моему совету — теперь пеняйте на себя.
21. Доктор велел ей лежать, но она и слышать об этом не хотела.
22. Собрание назначено на 5 часов. Его невозможно перенести.
23. Не может быть, что тебе понадобился час, чтобы добраться сюда.
 The Syntactic Functions of the infinitive 41

THE INFINITIVE AS PART OF A COMPOUND VERBAL

ASPECT PREDICATE

Whoever ceases to be a student has never been a student.

George lies
Q The infinitive can be used as part of a compound verbal aspect predicate - some
authors prefer the term compound verbal phasal predicate. In compound verbal aspect
predicates the structural part is expressed by verbs denoting various stages of an action
or state, i.e. its beginning, continuation, repetition and ending. These verbs are called
aspect or phasal verbs: begin, start, com e (= begin), com m ence, u se d to, continue,
go on (= start doing something after completing something else), cease.
He began to read the paper without any enthusiasm.
= Он начал читать газету без всякого энтузиазма.

I came to understand what he had meant to say.

= Я начал понимать, что он намеривался сказать.

NOTE. Both used + to infinitive (compound verbal aspect predicate) and would + infinitive (com­
pound verbal modal predicate) can describe repeated actions and events in the oast or
past habits which are now finished. But only used to can refer to past states. There is an
idea that circumstances have changed. Compare:

I used to / would ao through twenty cigarettes a day.

= Я раньше выкуривал двадцать сигарет в день.

I used to be a heavy smoker.

= Я раньше был заядлым курильщиком.
I used to have an old Rolls-Royce.
= У меня раньше был старый ролле ройс.

ffl Note the questions and negative forms with used + to infinitive employed in different styles.

formal style informal style

1used not to like opera, but now 1do. Did vou use to Dlav football at school?
Used vou to oiav football at school? 1didn't use to like ooera in those vears.

You used not to like him. did vou? You did not use to like him. did vou?
42 English Grammar Practice

THE INFINITIVE AS PART OF A COMPOUND VERBAL PREDICATE

We have come to a debatable point in our discussion. Let us look at the example.
She was heard to sing a lovely tune.
= Слышали, как он напевала красивую мелодию.
Some grammarians believe that 'she' is the subject of the sentence, and 'was heard to sing' is a
compound verbal predicate of a special type which is not found in the Russian language. It is also
called a compound verbal predicate of double orientation. Consequently, 'to sing' is viewed as part
of a compound verbal predicate.
a lovely tune.

Others suppose that 'she ... to sing' is a subjective infinitive construction. Syntactically, 'She ... to
sing' is regarded to be a complex subject of the sentence in which 'was heard' is the predicate.
She was heard to sing a lovely tune.

This phenomenon is discussed in detail later in this book.8 It is open to interpretation. You are free to
support either point of view.

8 For detailed treatment and practice see THE SUBJECTIVE INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTION
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 43

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Ex. 39 Translate into Russian and comment on the use of the infinitives.

A.
1. He began to describe the picture.
2. We used to spend a lot of time in the club.
3. It started to snow.
4. Did he continue to work with this company?
5. When they were younger, they would go to football matches every Sunday.
6. We'd rather take a train.
7. The toilets were few and hard to find.
8. It will take time to find him.
9. She finished cleaning the house and went on to cook dinner.
10. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
11. My next plan was to leave the house.
12. I came to realize that I was wrong.

B.
1. Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.
2. Vacation used to be a luxury, however, in today's world, it has become a necessity.
3. I wish money grew on trees. But it takes hard work to make it.
4. Just as you began to feel that you could make good use of time, there was no time left
to you.
5. To love at all is to be vulnerable.
6. When you cease to dream you cease to live.
7. The best recipe for happiness is to avoid too lengthy meditations on the past.
8. You will never win if you never start to try.
9. The car is not safe to drive.
10. The dream was always running ahead of me. To catch up, to live for a moment in unison
with it was the miracle.
11. I came to realize that it takes a couple secondsto say Hellobut forever to sayGoodbye.
12. If all my friends were to jump off a bridge, Iwouldn't jump with them. I'd be at the
bottom catching them.
13. A successful man continues to look for work after he has found a job.
14. Life's great happiness is to be convinced we are loved.
15. Middle age is when your broad mind and narrow waist start to change places.
16. The ideal friendship is to feel as one while remaining two.
44 English Grammar Practice

Match the beginning and ending of sentences paying attention to aspect verbs.
Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. How can you continue to a. run next months.

2. 1have come to b. get up early when he worked on a farm.
3. The new modern trains will commence to c. make bicycles of this kind.
4. It started to d. become a doctor.
5. He used to e. work with all that noise going on?
6. After her teaching career she went on to f. think you would never come.
7. 1was beginning to g- pour with rain all of a sudden.
8. The factory has ceased to h. realize that 1am making a mistake.

Ex. 41 Complete the sentences with WOULD or USED TO. Where either form is possible, use
them both. Where there is a word in brackets, put it in the correct position.

1. In the long summer holidays, w e go out somewhere with a picnic

every day.
2. When I was a newly-trained teacher, I __________________ work till late every night
preparing classes.
3. They_________________ be happy together but they are not now.
4. When they came to London, they_____________ (never) travel anywhere on the tube.
5. When I had a car, I ___________________ drive everywhere, but now I'm much fitter
because I always walk or cycle.
6. During my last year at university, I ______________ go to the library to start work at 9
o'clock every morning.
7. When we shared a flat together, w e often stay up talking late
into the night.
8. When Amy was a baby, people_________________ (often) come up to me and tell me
how beautiful she was.
9. He___________________ be overweight but he's much slimmer now.
10. When I was at school, I _______________ (never) do my weekend homework until
Sunday evening.
11. I _______________work in the same department as your sister.
12. When I was a teenager, I ______________ (often) spend the whole evening just
listening to music.
13. She__________________ have a lot of friends in London when she was a student of
School of Business.
14. He___________________ go for a run every day.
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 45

Correct the mistakes if there are any.

1. He continued to have been working in the library for an hour or so.

2. I can't help to think that I'm doing the wrong thing.
3. Don't you dare come back home late!
4. His hope was to have won in the lottery.
5. I'm starting getting tired of your insulting remarks.
6. This piece of wood is not easy to carve.
7. The plants began to be growing after the much-needed rain.
8. This melody is nice to be danced to.
9. Do you know why Jeremy ceased to have come to our monthly meetings?
10. After she talked to her friends she came to have seen the problem in a new light.

Translate into English and state the functions of the infinitives.

1. Когда-то это кафе было очень популярным.

2. Только сейчас я начинаю понимать, что он не тот, кому можно доверять.
3. После его слов она начала хохотать.
4. Сказать, что я не согласен, значит не сказать ничего.
5. Слова этой песни легко запомнить.
6. Она долго лежала и плакала.
7. Вскоре я перестал быть полезным им.
8. Моя работа заключается в том, чтобы относиться ко всем клиентам одинаково.
9. Невозможно не влюбиться в эти живописные пейзажи.
10. Раньше Роберт ездил верхом каждый день.
11. Кевину понадобилось 10 лет, чтобы понять, что он любит ее.
12. Все, что ты можешь сделать, это подчиниться его приказу.
13. Требуется много труда, терпения и удачи, чтобы добиться успеха.
14. Самое малое, что я могу для него сделать, это дать ему еще один шанс.
15. Ему причиняло боль думать о своем прошлом.
16. Он непрерывно поглядывал на часы.
17. То, что он не выиграл олимпийскую медаль, приводило его в отчаяние.
46 English Grammar Practice

THE INFINITIVE AS AN OBJECT

Be honourable yourself if you want to associate with

v honourable people.
Welsh proverb

Class is knowing what to say, when to say and when

to stop.
Somebody wise

The object is a secondary part of the sentence which completes or restricts the meaning of the
predicate.

Ш Any form of the infinitive can be used as an object.

to show her the change in our city.
to be listening to you.
to have completed so much.
We were happy
to have been rowing for hours.
to be recognized after years of absence.
to have been treated in such a way.

ffl Infinitives as objects are placed after predicates of various types. The infinitive objects are found
after verbs or set phrases (patterns 1, 2) or predicative adjectives / participles II (pattern 3).

PATTERN 1 monotransitive verb / set phrase + infinitive

► Monotransitive verbs take one object. Some of them are:

agree consent hate neglect resolve
aim demand hesitate offer swear
arrange deserve hope omit tend
attempt determine like plan threaten
bother endeavour long prepare not trouble
care (= like) expect love pretend try
choose (= prefer) fail manage proceed undertake
claim fear mean promise volunteer
condescend guarantee need refuse vow, etc.

Have you arranged to meet them?

=Договорились ли вы, чтобы их встретили?

We guarantee to deliver vour goods within a week.

= Мы гарантируем, что ваши товары будут доставлены в течение недели.
The Syntactic Functions o f the Infinitive 47
The kids offered to do the dishes.
= Дети предложили вымыть посуду.

You should take care to close the lid securely.

= Позаботься, чтобы крышка была надежно закрыта.

► The set phrases that take infinitive objects are: take care, take the trouble, can (not) afford,
cannot bear, etc.
She didn't even take the trouble to find out how to spell mv name.
= Она даже не потрудилась узнать, как правильно пишется мое имя.

Не made sure to lock the door.

= Он позаботился о том, чтобы запереть дверь на замок.

► Most monotransitive verbs and set phrases take a non-perfect infinitive object. However, some
verbs listed above may also occur with perfect infinitive forms.
(1) Perfect infinitives after the verbs claim, hate, swear express actions that precede the action
of the finite verb.
She claims to have seen him before.
= Она утверждает, что раньше видела его.
(2) Perfect infinitives used after the past forms of the verbs attempt, expect, hope, intend, mean,
plan, try express actions which were not fulfilled.

I hoped to have found him at home, but he had left.

= Я надеялся, что застану его дома, но он уже ушел.

Не intended to have reached the coast, but the boat was carried away by the stream.
= Он намеревался достигнуть берега, но лодку унесло течением.

I meant to have done it. but the time was not right.
= Я намеревалась сделать это, но время было выбрано неправильно.

PATTERN 2 ditransitive verb + noun / pronoun + infinitive

► Ditransitive verbs take two objects. Some of them are:

advise enable implore oblige require

bribe encourage induce permit tell
command entitle instruct persuade tempt
compel forbid invite recommend urge
direct impel leave remind warn, etc.
48 English Grammar Practice

True marriage requires the couple to show trust and lovaltv.

= Истинный брак требует, чтобы пара проявляла доверие и преданность.

We've tried to persuade him to come.

= Мы пробовали убедить его придти.

► Some verbs - ask, beg, help, prefer, wait, etc. - can take either one or two objects. Compare:
Eric asked me to marry him. / / 1asked to see the manager.
She begged him not to ao. // He begged to be told the truth.

PATTERN 3 predicative adjective / participle + infinitive

Predicative adjectives or participles come after link verbs - be, seem, feel, get, turn, become, etc.
We were eager to join them.
= Мы горели желанием присоединиться к ним.

We are determined to set off at dawn.

= Мы намерены отправиться на рассвете.

1. Non-perfect infinitives can be used as objects after be afraid, be angry, be anxious, be apt, be
bound, be careful, be curious, be determined, be eager, be entitled, be fit, be free, be impatient,
be inclined, be interested, be keen, be liable, be powerless, be prepared, be quick, be ready, be
reluctant, be resolved, be sad, be set, be slow, be worthy, etc.
You are free to choose vour hobbv.
= Вы свободны в выборе своего хобби.

I am afraid we are powerless to do anything.

= Боюсь, что мы бессильны что-либо сделать.

2. Both perfect and non-perfect infinitives can be used as objects after be amused, be annoyed, be
ashamed, be astonished, be delighted, be distressed, be frightened, be furious, be glad, be happy,
be horrified, be pleased, be proud, be puzzled, be relieved, be scared, be sorry, be surprised, be
thankful, be touched, etc.
Non-perfect forms are used to show that the actions closely follow each other. The perfect forms
show that there is a gap of time between the action and the resulting state.
Hi, Kathy! I am glad to see vou.
= Привет, Кэти! Я рад тебя видеть.

I was sorry to have started school at the aae of six.

= Я сожалел, что пошел в школу в шестилетнем возрасте.
 The Syntactic Functions o f the Infinitive 49

NOTE 1. To discriminate between the infinitive object and the infinitive used as part of a
predicative it should be borne in mind that the latter is active in form and passive in
meaning. Compare:

He isjjMd to see you. [The infinitive is used as an object.]

= Он рад вас видеть.

He . [The infinitive is used as part of a predicative]

= Ему трудно угодить.

INFINITIVE OBJECTS INTRODUCED BY IT

PATTERN 4 verb + IT + adjective / noun + infinitive

The infinitive object can be preceded by the introductory IT used in combination with adjectives or
nouns. The verbs that take an infinitive object only when it is preceded by an introductory it are:
believe, consider, feel, find, have, make, presume, reckon, think, etc.
They consider it natural to help each other.
= Я считаю естественным помогать друг другу.

Не thought it difficult to believe her.

= Он полагал, что ей трудно верить.

Note the following phrases with introductory IT.

I call it good luck to spend a Saturday evening with you.
= Я считаю удачей, когда удается провести субботний вечер с вами.

I feel it ту duty to stay with you.

= Я считая своей обязанностью оставаться с вами.

I had it in ту power to help them.

= В моих силах было помочь им.

I made it a rule to take regular walks.

= Я взял за правило совершать регулярные прогулки.

Ш Structurally, infinitive objects can be

simple - expressed by a single infinitive.
I promise to wait.

phrasal - expressed by an infinitive phrase or a conjunctive infinitive phrase.

I was alarmed to see him there as I did not know what to sav.
50 English Grammar Practice

NOTE 2. The verbs know, show, wonder can take only a conjunctive infinitive phrase

He did not know where to ao.

I wonder whether to report this incident to the police.

The verbs advise, arrange, decide, forget, learn and remember the expression make
up one's mind can take either an infinitive or an infinitive conjunctive phrase. Compare:

I'm afraid, Jake foraot to do it. _

Jake forgot how to do it.

! The verb teach can take two objects one of which can be expressed by a w/i-phrase.

Could you teach me to do that?

My father taught me (how) to ride a bike.

complex - expressed by an objective infinitive construction or a for-to-infinitive construction.9

I saw him araso her hand.
He was waiting for her to sav something.

9 For detailed analysis see THE OBJECTIVE INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTION and THE FOR-TO-INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTION.
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 51

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Л Translate into Russian and comment on the use of the infinitives.

A.
1. David asked to be shown the city.
2. She advised me not to travel to this country.
3. I am curious to know the news.
4. I find it hard to believe the story.
5. I didn't know how else to express my feelings.
6. I thought that they were fortunate to have arrived late.
7. You boys had better go on to Rex. It's heavenly of you to have come.
8. He felt a little guilty to be enjoying himself so much.
9. It used to worry me and I thought it wrong to have so many beautiful things when others
had nothing.
10. She arrived there tired but thankful to have reached it at all.
11. The day before Wilhelmina and I were to have been married.
12. 1knew Ann wasn't very happy to be doing her course.
13. Her first desire was to double-check everything.
14. The bridge is dangerous to walk over.
15. Good night, Mr. Bannister. Delighted to have made your acquaintance. You must come
round to the studio one of these days.
16. He has got a headache. He claims to have been working on the computer all morning.

B.
1. To fail to plan is to plan to fail.
2. We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.
3. It was bitter to endure but sweet to remember.
4. It is equally offensive to speed a guest who would like to stay and to detain one who is
anxious to leave.
5. Ask yourself whether you are happy and you cease to be so.
6. It is no profit to have learned well, if you neglect to do well.
7. Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.
8. The finest inheritance you can give to a child is to allow it to make its own way, completely
on its own feet.
9. Don't refuse to go on an occasional wild goose chase — that's what wild geese are for.
10. Society, my dear, is like salt water, good to swim in but hard to swallow.
11. Alice was puzzled to have found herself in the strange world of the Wonderland.
12. It never hurts to ask. Unless you ask for hurt.
13. Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget.
14. Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the Ark; professionals
built the Titanic.
52______________________________________________________________________ English Grammar Practice
15. In these days, a man who says a thing cannot be done is quite apt to be interrupted by
some idiot doing it.
16. I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have a good time.
Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.

1 Match the two parts of the sentences.

1. When there's snow on the ground, 1 a) to live with an optimist.

like b) to sell the family parrot to
2. The only mystery about the cat is why the town gossip.
it ever decided c) to live.
3. It is after you have lost your teeth d) to deal with some mud.
that you can afford e) to be taken at his word.
4. If you pray for rain, be prepared f) to become a
5. Since a politician never believes what domesticated animal.
he says, he is quite surprised g) to pretend I'm walking on
6. If a man hasn't discovered something clouds.
he will die for, he isn't fit h) to buy steaks.
7. A pessimist is a man who has been
compelled
8. Try to live your life so that you
wouldn't be afraid

Ex. 46 Open the brackets using the appropriate form of the infinitives.
1. Good bye, Mr Jackson. Glad (to be) of service to you.
2. Never tell a man you can read him through; most people prefer (to think) enigmas.
3. I meant (to warn) you earlier, but I couldn't find you.
4. With the unemployment rate so high I am thankful (to offer) a job.
5. A good man would prefer (to defeat) than (to defeat) injustice by evil means.
6. Maggie was sorry (not to warn) her parents that she would be late.
7. Television enables you (to entertain) in your home by people you wouldn't have in your
home.
8. I hate (to bother) you, but the man is still waiting (to give) a definite answer.
9. We expected (to see) the star on stage but an understudy had to stand in for him.
10. He claimed (to meet) me two years before, but I couldn't remember him.
11. I meant (to write) about death, only life came breaking in as usual.
12. I am very sorry (to hear) that you are in trouble. And I am sorry (to involve) you in this.
13. "Well, there were worse types of human being. I might almost claim (to be) one myself,
once, long ago."
14. The British nation is unique in this respect. They are the only people who like (to tell)
how bad things are.
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 53
15. The speech was intended (to deliver) at the parliament opening ceremony, but the
speaker failed (to appear).

Make up sentences with infinitives used as objects.

1. and never to look back, a rule of life, never to regret, make it
2. we, to speak, never listen when, we are eager
3. what it, the mind is slow, learnt early, to unlearn
4. to creep, before you, leap, learn
5. it, to live without love, unbearable, people would think
6. and quick, to perform, be slow, to promise
7. know, only, to forgive, the brave, how
8. an insult, never consider, to be called weird, it

Г^ ж Ц ^ И Complete the sentences

a) using suitable infinitives.

1. I learned____________when I was around six or seven.
2. I can't wait my family again!
3. Students can't afford___________.
4. Stubborn people refuse___________.
5. Generous people are willing___________.
6. When people get married, they promise___________.
7. After the quarrel we agreed never___________.
8. Absent-minded people tend___________.
9. She's very sorry. She didn't mean___________ you.
10. A quick-tempered person is always inclined___________.
11. Troublemakers are always apt___________.
12. If workers are dissatisfied they threaten___________.
13. On a Monday morning, you have to get ready___________.
14. Never be slow___________ .
15. If you are ignorant don't be ashamed___________ .
b) using conjunctive infinitive phrases.
WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHETHER, HOW, HOW LONG, HOW MUCH
1. Have you decided___________ for dinner this evening?
2. Can you show m e___________ the washing machine?
3. He advised us___________for our holidays.
4. You'll never forget___________ a bicycle once you have learned.
5. I can't decide____________ for the party.
6. I wonder if I need wise advice.
7. I don't know___________ as a tip. I have never been to such posh restaurants before.
8. Amazing! I really can't imagine___________ to this!
54 English Grammar Practice

c) using infinitives after the introductory IT.

1. 1call it mean... 5. You should make it a rule...
2. 1consider it a compliment ... 6. 1find it very embarrassing...
3. Do you think it reasonable..? 7. 1think it hopeless...
4. We have it in our power... 8. Women always feel it their duty.

Use the conjunctive phrases from the box to complete the sentences.

what to do when to be who to complain

whether to wish how to live how to win
how much to leave

1. Wise men are not always silent, but they know

2. If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have
learned
3. Those who know are much more numerous than
those who know with their trophies.
4. The world is so dreadfully manaeed. one hardlv knows to.
5. The lucky man is he who knows to chance.
6. Her lips moved, but me eood nieht or murmur a
prayer — I couldn't guess.

Paraphrase the following sentences using infinitives as part of conjunctive infinitive

■
1.
phrases.

I didn't know another way of expressing my feelings.

HOW
2. We have finally made a decision about the time of our next meeting.
WHEN
3. I can't choose guests for my tea party.
WHO(M)
4. A true traveller can always find a place for an overnight stop.
WHERE
5. They both proposed to her. Now she can't make up her mind and choose.
WHO(M)
6. The children haven't learnt the proper behaviour yet.
HOW
7. Shall I answer her letter? I can't decide it.
WHETHER
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 55
8. Could you show me a parking place for my car?
WHERE
9. I forgot the recipe for an Easter cake.
HOW
10. He is unpredictable. You can expect anything from him. You never know.
WHAT
11. Ask the passer-by about the turn for Regent Street.
WHERE
12. "Should I move to a new house?" she wondered.
WHETHER
13. They recommended me the right person so that I could ask him for help.
WHO(M)
14. He didn't know what word could be said to cheer her up.
WHAT
15. A true gambler always knows the right time for rising from the table and going home.
WHEN

Use the verbs provided in the boxes to express the same idea.

ARRANGE CONSENT, FAIL, MAKE UP ONE'S MIND, MANAGE, PRETEND, TAKE CARE

1. I didn't pass my driving test. — I....

2. Did you move the desk on your own? — Did you...?
3. He said 'Yes' to the offer to fill up the vacancy. — He ....
4. They all agreed that they should meet the next day. — They....
5. When she crept across the room she was very careful so that not to make any noise. —
When she crept across the room she....
6. His decision was to wait until the woman was asleep. — He....
7. She behaved as if she didn't know me. She....

ADVISE, ALLOW, ENTITLE, INVITE, ORDER, WARN

Make sure you use two objects after these verbs.

1. The soldiers fired by the officer's order. — The officer....
2. He is against smoking in his house. — He doesn't....
3. The police say that the public shouldn't approach this man. — The police....
4. 'Drop in whenever you feel like to/ he told us. — He....
5. Never tell anyone that he should go to war or marry. — Never....
6. According to this certificate, you can apply for free travel. — This certificate....
56 English Grammar Practice

FOOLISH, FURIOUS, KEEN, MAD, POWERLESS, QUICK, RELUCTANT, SORRY

1. Why have you given up your job? You are out of your mind! — You are....
2. Have I woken you up? I should apologize then. — I am ....
3. I dream about starting my own business. — I am ....
4. She always spots a mistake in no time. — She is always ....
5. If we don't take delight in life, we can be called fools. — We are ....
6. Leave her alone. She doesn't want any change. — She is ....
7. When they learn the truth they won't be happy, believe me. — They will be ....
8. Unfortunately, I can't offer you any help. — Unfortunately I am ....

Paraphrase the following sentences using infinitives as objects after the introductory IT.

Model A: It is easierfor people to forgive themselves than others. — FIND; EASIER

-> People find it easier to forgive themselves than others.

1. I advise everybody not to pay too much attention to what people say — FIND; ADVISABLE
2. It is our good luck to have met you and known you. — CALL; GOOD LUCK
3. He thought that he had better say nothing — THOUGHT; BETTER
4. What an absurd idea, to apply to them for help! — FIND; ABSURD
5. I should have accepted their offer. I think I was wrong. — CONSIDER; MISTAKE
6. My blister turned walking into a problem. — MADE; PROBLEM

B.
1. It was a great honour to be the representatives of the University. — We considered ...
2. It has become his rule to read a couple of pages in French before going to bed. — He has
made....
3. It was such a lovely day. It was a pity to get up. — I thought... .
4. I felt that it was my duty to interfere in their quarrel at once. — I fe lt....
5. It is fortunate that I have learnt about their scheme beforehand. — I call....
6. It is tedious for artists to represent what exists. — Artists find....
7. They believed that it was worthwhile to try again. — They believed ....

Find and correct mistakes in each sentence.

1. I meant to have returned to Paris, but business required that I should go to London
first.
2. He who speaks without modesty will find difficult to make his words good.
3. The Bible tells to love our neighbours, and also to love our enemies (probably because
they are generally the same people).
4. Bob was anxious to have met Julie's parents.
 57
5. When I am abroad, I always make a rule never to criticize or attack the government of
my own country.
6. The doctor advised not to overdo things.
7. I don't know why you thought necessary to tell Nicky something I told you in confidence.

Translate into English the parts in brackets using infinitives as objects. The words in
e ( ь 3 bold type are provided to help you.

1. (Мы торопимся объяснять) things we don't really have an explanation for.

Q UICK................................................................................................................................

2. (Он с ужасом узнал) what others thought of him.

HORRIFY.............................................................................................................................

3. When I hear somebody sigh, 'Life is hard/ (меня всегда подмывает спросить),
'Compared to what?'
TEMPT................................................................................................................................

4. It's only after we've lost everything that we (без помех делаем) anything.
FREE....................................................................................................................................

5. A diplomat is a person who can (сказать, чтобы вы убирались вон) in such a way that
you actually look forward to the trip.
TELL.....................................................................................................................................

6. He was and remains honest and decent. Neither of you (достойны мыть) his feet.
FIT.......................................................................................................................................

7. She (исправно платит) her bills.

CAREFUL.............................................................................................................................

8. He (предпочел не обращать внимания) to what she said.

CHOOSE..............................................................................................................................

9. He (не удосужился скрыть) his scepticism.

NOT BOTHER.....................................................................................................................
10. The local dentist was unfashionably (настроен удалять) teeth rather than fill them.
EAGER.................................................................................................................................

11. (He приучай собаку выпрашивать) for food from the table.
ENCOURAGE.......................................................................................................................

12. She (не потрудилась записать) the telephone number.

NOT TROUBLE...................................................................................................................
58 English Grammar Practice

13. (Постарайтесь получить) what you like or you will be forced to like what you get.
TAKE CARE...........................................................................................................

14. Difficulties (предназначены для того, чтобы воодушевлять), not discourage.

MEAN....................................................................... ............................................

Use the words in boxes to translate the fragments in brackets.

|AFRAID, CAN AFFORD, DETERMINED, ENABLE, LUCKY (2), HOPE, PROUD, TEND

1. It's not that (мне страшно умереть), I just don't want to be there when it happens.
2. Don't spend time beating on a wall, (в надежде превратить) it into a door.
3. If a person (полон решимости сражаться) to the death, then they may very well have
that opportunity.
4. I (с гордостью плачу) taxes in the United States. The only thing is I could be just as
proud for half the money.
5. (Мне повезло, что я побывал) where I have been and (повезло, что возвращаюсь)
home again.
6. Only exceptionally rational men (могут позволить себе быть абсурдными).
7. If the only tool you have is a hammer, you (склонны видеть) every problem as a nail.
8. (Сны дают нам возможность быть) quietly and safely insane every night of our lives.

AGOG, ANNOYED, FOOLISH, HAPPY, RELIEVED, RELUCTANT, SHOCKED, THANKFUL

1. We (с облегчением узнали) that he was already at home.

2. After a long absence (ему не терпелось увидеть) his sweetheart.
3. (Она с неохотой говорит) about her illness.
4. (Ей было досадно, что она занимается уборкой) for two hours already without any
help.
5. (Старушка пришла в ужас, обнаружив) a piece of glass in her cup of tea.
6. (Ты был бы глупцом, если бы упустил) this opportunity.
7. (Я благодарен за то, что делаю) what I really like.
8. I never forget a face, but in your case (я бы с удовольствием сделал исключение).

Translate into English.

1. Он с удивлением заметил свое имя на подарке.

2. Я бы назвала большой удачей приглашение в их дом.
3. Не могу придумать, куда можно спрятать ключ.
4. Клайд очень не любил, когда ему напоминали о бедности его родителей.
5. Они взяли за правило проводить один день в неделю за городом.
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 59
6. Он не ожидал, что его обвинят.
7. Глупо быть слишком уверенным в своей правоте.
8. Не могу решить, сколько можно у него занять.
9. Интересно, долго ли нужно кипятить воду.
10. Ему было любопытно узнать, чем закончилась их ссора.
11. Я надеялся выиграть забег, но дождь все испортил.
12. Покажите мне, как нужно менять масло в машине.
13. Хорошо, когда тебя ценят.
14. Помощь мисс Смит сделала возможной поимку опасного преступника.
15. Ей повезло, что ее не заметили.
16. Он подумал, что безопаснее будет уйти.
17. Если бы не погода, девять человек из десяти не смогли бы начать разговор.
18. Пегги не знала, кого слушать и чему верить.
19. Он радовался тому, что его оставили одного.
20. Я забыла — положить ли сначала хлеб или включить тостер?
21. Я притворился, будто не заметил его смущения.
22. Люди чувствуют, что их долг — заботиться о своих питомцах.
23. Самое важное в общении — слышать то, что не сказано.
24. Я бы счел за честь принять этого ученого у себя дома.
25. Миссис Гриффитс пожалела, что не пригласила Клайда в свой дом раньше.
26. Извините, что от меня было так мало пользы.
27. Ты можешь решить, что ты будешь спасать первым при пожаре?
28. Ебли вы потеряете репутацию, вы обнаружите, что вернуть ее — настоящая
проблема.
29. Опытный водитель всегда знает, когда уже пора остановить машину и
вздремнуть.
30. Белая королева считала, что вполне возможно поверить в шесть невозможных
вещей ещё до завтрака.
60 English Grammar Practice

THE INFINITIVE AS AN ATTRIBUTE

All people want is someone to listen.

Hugh Elliott

The attribute is a secondary part of the sentence. It qualifies a noun or another word of nominal
nature - a pronoun, noun substitute, gerund, numeral, etc.

ffl Infinitives used as attributes are postmodifiers, i.e. they follow the modified word.

a box to carry something to eat the first to understand

Щ Infinitive attributes in English are more common than in Russian as they combine with a much
wider range of words. They come after:
1. class or abstract nouns.
The idea to ao on holiday appealed to me.
= Мне нравилась идея поехать в отпуск.

I saw his unwillingless to leave.

= Я видела его нежелание уезжать.

2. the noun-substitute one.

My brother is the only one to understand me.
= Мой брат - единственный, кто меня понимает.

3. pronouns - personal (in the objective case), indefinite, universal, negative and reflexive.
The Browns have only me to look after their child.
= У Браунов нет никого, кто мог бы присмотреть за ребенком, кроме меня.

Не needs someone to love.

= Ему нужен кто-нибудь, кого бы он мог любить.

"The artist has everybody to please", he said gloomily.

= "Художнику нужно всем угодить "-сказал он мрачно.

We have nothing to discuss.

= Нам нечего обсуждать.

Не has only himself to take care of.

= Заботиться ему нужно только о себе.

4. adverbs nowhere, somewhere.

I have nowhere to ao.
= Мне некуда идти.
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 61
5. ordinal numerals and the words the last, the next followed by indefinite infinitives.
He loves parties: he is always the first to come and the last to leave.
= Он любит вечеринки: он всегда первый, кто приходит и последний, кто
уходит.

I was the next to arrive at the site of the accident.

= Я был следующим, кто приехал на место аварии.

6. expressions of quantity о great deal, a good deal, enough, few, little (more), many, no more,
(too) much, plenty, etc. followed by indefinite infinitives.
We have plenty to discuss.
= Нам многое надо обсудить,

Does he get enough to eat?

= Достаточно ли ему еды?

ffl Any form of the infinitive can function as an attribute.

There was nothing tosav/tobe said in his defense.
Grandpa talked of having a desire to be.sitting comfortably in a chair.
He is the only person ever to have climbed this peak.
She is the person to have been informed about it.
I am the only one to have been doing it for years.

NOTE. Active or Passive? Both?

When the subject of the sentence denotes the person who has to do the action
expressed by the infinitive attribute, the attribute is expressed by an active infinitive.
I have letters to write and faxes to send.
She is one of the few to have climbed Mont Blanc.

We use a passive infinitive when the subject of the sentence does not perform the
action expressed by the infinitive attribute.
The question to be debated is whether income tax should be increased.

Active and passive infinitives in this function can be either interchangeable or have
different meanings. Compare:
There was a lot to do / to be done.
There is nothing to do. = There are no entertainments and we are bored.
There is nothing to be done. = There is no way you can stop what is happening.
= Ничего не поделаешь.
I am the last person to ask a question like that.
I am the last person to be asked a question like that.
62 English Grammar Practice

ffl The marker TO is used before two or three homogeneous infinitive attributes joined asyndetically.
When a conjunction is used, the marker TO is often omitted. Compare:
There was nothing to expect, to dream about.
There was nothing to expect and dream about.

Ш The infinitive used as an attribute often has a modal significance as it expresses an action thought
of as possible, necessary or compulsory.
I have nothing to declare.
- У меня нет ничего того, что следует декларировать.

Не had a family to provide for.

= У него была семья, которую нужно было обеспечивать.
Infinitives used as attributes can also imply an idea of purpose.

We will get you a desk to write on.

= Мы достанем вам стол, чтобы вы могли писать.

I gave him a case to keep his records in.

= Я дала ему коробку для хранения его записей.

ffl Infinitive attributes can be viewed as reduced attribute clauses.

I have a lot to think about
= I have a lot that I should / that I have to / that I need to think about.

ffl Structurally, infinitive attributes can be

• simple - expressed by single infinitives.
I have a lot of books to read.

• phrasal - expressed by (a) infinitive phrases or (b) conjunctive infinitive phrases.

(a) I have a lot of books to read for the exam.
(b) I have no idea where to ao or what to do.

• complex — expressed by for-to-infinitive constructions.

I have a lot of books for mv children and grandchildren to read.
There's nothing for us to do. 10

10 For details see THE FOR-TO-INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTION

The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 63

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Ex. 57 Translate into Russian and comment on the use of the infinitives.

A.
1. The children have a good garden to play in.
2. The goods to be produced by this company will be a real sensation.
3. She needs someone to talk to.
4. You're a useful fellow to have around.
5. There are several points in the article to comment on.
6. Melanie was the only person to have written a letter of thanks.
7. I have four kids to take care of.
8. The ladder is quite safe to use.
9. She admitted that it was perhaps a silly thing to have done.
10 . I gave him a book to be taken away.
11 . This matter will have to be dealt with right away.
12 . We had nothing to object to.
13. I am glad to have got the ticket for the concert.
14. In this situation you will be the first to laugh at.
15. I intended to have finished my work last night.
16. He js the very person to rely on.
17. It was a pleasure to have met you.
18. There are still two more houses to knock down.

B.
1. There are books to be tasted, books to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and
digested.
2. He who laughs last is generally the last to get the joke.
3. Life is so short, and there's so much to do, one can't afford to waste a minute.
4. The best way to get approval is not to need it.
5. They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to
love, something to do, and something to hope for.
6. It is not enough to aim; you must hit.
7. A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.
8. Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.
9. Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk
life, to be needed.
10. The road to glory is hard to climb.
11 . The most important thing she'd learned over the years was that there was no way to be
a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.
12. Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.
13. Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded.
14. Life is tragic for those who have plenty to live on and nothing to live for.
64 English Grammar Practice

15. Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing
left to take away.
16. He is the better equipped for life who has the less to carry.
17. He who has a why to live can bear with almost any how.

Ex. 58 Complete the sentences using infinitives from the right column. Note the words
infinitives are used after.

1. 1was thirsty, but there was nothing a) to follow

2. 1was tired out, but there was nowhere b) to spare
3. We were all hungry, but there wasn't very much c) to drink
4. We were late setting off, so there was no time d) to be answered
5. 1couldn't do it alone, and there was no one e) to help
6. He complained that he was always the last f) to eat
7. 1switched on the TV, but there wasn't really anything g) to answer
8. Here are some instructions h) to be informed
9. There are so many letters i) to sleep
10. 1have so many letters j) to watch

Ex. 59 Match the parts of the sentences.

The best way to succeed in life to let him have his own way.
to escape from a problem to write a book about it.
to cheer yourself to invent it.
to convince a fool that he is wrong to solve it.
to keep children home is to act on the advice we give to others,
to become acquainted with a subject to try to cheer someone else up.
to predict the future to make the home atmosphere pleasant
— and let the air out of the tires.
The only way to have a friend , to have a great deal of it.
not to think about money to make certain it never starts.
to get rid of a temptation to yield to it.
to make a man trustworthy f t to trust him.
to win an atomic war to make people hate you.
to succeed to be one.
to get ahead to start now.
The Syntactic Functions o f the Infinitive 65

Insert the infinitives given in M ia t A C is

necessary.

1. She was the first ________ the astonished silence, (to break)
2. He was the only one _________ three Nobel Prizes, (to win)
3. Tell the child matches are a dangerous thing_____________ . (to play)
4. There are two more games. . and the tournament will be over, (to play)
5. The next patient________ Was a small boy in his early 'teens, (to examine)
6. Safety is the first principle _ ________ in shooting competitions, (to observe)
7. I am the last man________ a question of the kind, (to ask) (2 variants)
8. There were no chairs _ , so we had to sit on the floor, (to sit)
9. Among the la st________ they attracted the attention of the entire gathering.
(to arrive)
10. He found that he was the only one_____________the discrepancy, (to notice)
11 . There were usually hundreds of matters, big and small_____________ . (to attend)
12. If there is to be a vacancy I would like to be the one_____________ the job. (to offer)
13. These houses were among the few____________ after a great fire, (to survive)
14. I have a lot of things_____________and many problems_____________ . (to think,
to consider)
15. He would never fail to find something even if there was little or nothing
_____________ . (to say, to speak)

Ex. 61 Replace the infinitives used in the function of an attribute by attributive clauses.

Model: Probably there's nothing to do. -> Probably there'snothing that we can do.
1. Iceland is a great place to visit.
2. I had apparently nothing to fear.
3. There weren't many children in the neighbourhood to play with.
4. "Did they give you anything to drink?" I asked.
5. It was not the thing to say.
6. The first man to see me was Tom.
7. This is a mineral to be found only in this part of the country.
8. She was the only one to survive the crash.
9. The library has received a prospectus of the books tobe publishedthis year.
10. She found no one to admire.
11. I've got a suggestion to make to you.
12. They need a garden to play in.
13. A food mixer is a very useful gadget to have in your kitchen.
66 English Grammar Practice

Е г Н э д Н Paraphrase the following sentences using infinitives as attributes.

1. A good housewife will always find something that must be done about the house.
2. There was nothing that might keep him at home that night, and he gladly accepted the
invitation.
3. He was the first person who came to the bar and the last who left it.
4. He is not the man who would shirk his duty.
5. We could not spare a moment.
6. The parcels are ail sorted out. Here are the ones that will be sent by air.
7. We can't lose time.
8. The ship has arrived with the pictures which will be displayed at the international
exhibition.
9. We must have five more reports printed.
10. There are no issues left for discussion.
11. Thank you very much, but I've got something better I can do with my time.
12. He might have something he wanted to tell her.
13. I just want to look round and see if there's anything that can be done.
14. At the end of the year there was a great deal we had to do.
15. There are various things one could find fault with.
16. The questions that are going to be submitted for discussion must be circulated two days
before the opening session.
17. Can you entrust the work to anyone?

И Я Ш В Transform the sentences according to the models.

Model A: He offered to help us but we turned him down. -> We turned down his offer to help us.
1. I remember you promised not to talk of it.
2. He was permitted to leave.
3. They demand to be regularly informed, and you will have to comply with it.
4. I don't intend to do anything about it.
5. He did not wish to let you down.
Model B: It is needless to talk of it now. -> There's no need to talk of it now.
6. It was funny and pleasant to watch how impatient the children were to see the presents.
7. It was clear to everybody that they were not inclined to answer any questions.
8. It is unnecessary to copy the whole text.
9. Is it possible to get a ticket for tomorrow?
10. I doubt if he is willing to help.
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 67

I jf H jL j H Combine two sentences into one according to the model.

Model: He is always ready to justify himself. It has become a tendency with him. ->
He has a tendency to justify himself.
1. He wanted to express his ideas. His effort was great.
2. It was necessary to regularly supply the expedition with water. The only way was to
transport it by air in helicopters.
3. His ambition in life was to become a good surgeon, and we were sure it would be
realized.
4. They were anxious to complete the experiment in three months. To get more people to
work on it was the only means.
5. Her long-cherished desire had been to play in a film, and quite recently she got an
invitation from the studio.

Make up sentences, using the following phrases with attributive infinitives.

1. a lot to do 4. a nice town to live in 7. mistakes to be corrected

2. no time to lose 5. an easy person to deal with 8. nothing to be afraid of
3. nobody to speak to 6. a chance not to be missed 9. the last to hand in the test

Ц Find and correct the mistakes if there are any.

1. Andrew was the three to go in for interview.

2. His plans to have travelled during the Christmas holiday fell apart.
3. You have much to live.
4. There is nothing to gain by pretending.
5. It was an article to pay attention.
6. Sandra was the last to have performed at the dance recital.
7. He had a good deal to be said about India.
8. The relief from that long waiting, the feeling of nothing to worry, was delicious.
9. He received a note to have been saying that he wasexpected at the family dinner.
10. You'll be the first to be broken the news.
11. We've got no furniture — not even a bed to sleep.
12. The first person to have entered was Mrs. Evans.
13. He looked at the shelves of books to be reading and understanding.
14. They are one of the four teams to score more than 2000 points in First Division Soccer.
15. She has a talent to make the best of any bad situation.
68 English Grammar Practice

Ex. 67 Translate the parts in brackets using infinitives as attributes.

1. We are different kinds of people, and there is nothing more (что можно сказать).
2. I need a box (в которую можно класть) books in.
3. He is a man (которому можно доверять).
4. I'm so proud to be the first (кто приветствует) you here.
5. This is a rule (которое надо запомнить).
6. She needs someone (с кем можно поговорить).
7. He was an Englishman (у которого было) the unfortunate experience.
8. Knowledge is not something (о чем можно хвастаться).
9. ft's a pity we haven't got any pictures (которые можно повесить) on the wall.
10 . They had nowhere (куда можно пойти).
11 . The delegates to the scientific conference (которая будет проводиться) on the 19th of
July have to register with the organizing committee.
12 . The minister has a bodyguard (который охраняет) him.
13. I'm not the one (кто говорит) of what doesn't concern me.
14. I can't find anywhere (где можно остановиться).
15. Here is the list of medicines (которые нельзя купить) without a prescription.

Translate the sentences using infinitives.

1. Это как раз подходящая книга для чтения перед сном.

2. Мне не у кого попросить совета.
3. Вопрос, который будет обсуждаться на нашем собрании, очень важен, на мой
взгляд.
4. Вы как раз тот человек, который может нам помочь.
5. Они продолжали сидеть и разговаривать почти до полуночи.
6. Она знала, что ни в чем не виновата; ей нечего было бояться.
7. У него были дети, о которых он должен был заботиться.
8. Тебе бы лучше пойти домой и обговорить это с мужем.
9. Нельзя терять время, надо действовать.
10. Он был не из тех, кого можно было легко запугать.
11 . Она тяжелый человек: с ней трудно иметь дело.
12 . Вот статья, которую надо прочитать.
13. Его трудно убедить.
14. Кто вторым пришел к финишу?
15. Она всегда найдет, над чем посмеяться.
16. Я на этой неделе очень занят: у меня много дел.
17. Знать все — ничего не знать.
18. Несмотря на желание сказать что-нибудь веселое, он смог только улыбнуться.
19. Я позже всех разгадал ее намерение.
20 . Пьеса оставляет желать лучшего: я большего ожидал от нее.
21 . Он первый пожал мне руку и поздравил меня.
 The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 69

THE INFINITIVE AS AN ADVERBIAL

ffl Infinitives can be used as adverbials of purpose, result, comparison, subsequent events, time, condition
and exception. As the infinitive adverbials denote actions that are either simultaneous with or posterior
to those expressed by the finite verbs, mainly indefinite forms are used in these functions.

► Adverbials of purpose expressed by infinitives are found either after the predicate or at the
beginning of the sentence. They may be introduced by conjunctions SO AS or IN ORDER (formal).
We do sports to relax.
= Мы занимаемся спортом, чтобы отдохнуть.

They were taken to the police station (in order/so as) to be questioned.
= Их отвели в полицейский участок для допроса.

IN ORDER and SO AS are common before

• stative verbs - be, know, have, etc.
She arrived in order/so as to be with us.
= Она приехала, чтобы быть с нами.

• negative infinitives.
I'm going to leave now in order / so as not to miss the train.
= Я собираюсь уйти сейчас, чтобы не опоздать на поезд.

► Adverbials of result or consequence expressed by infinitives follow the words they modify. They
follow
1. adjectives or adverbs modified by TOO.
I was too tired to dance.
= Я была слишком усталой для того, чтобы танцевать.

She works too slowly to be of much use to me.

= Она работает слишком медленно, чтобы быть для меня полезной.
70 English Grammar Practice

2. adjectives, adverbs or nouns modified by ENOUGH.

I am not strong enough to pull that cart.
= Я не достаточно силен, чтобы толкать эту тележку.
Не spoke Italian well enough to understand what was aoina on.
= Он говорил по-итальянски достаточно хорошо, чтобы понимать, что
происходило.

When ENOUGH follows the modified word it stresses the quality.

When ENOUGH precedes the modified word it stresses the quantity. Compare:
He is gentleman enough to ignore her female weaknesses.
= Он в достаточной мере джентльмен, чтобы не обращать внимания на ее
женские слабости.

Не has read enough books to learn about the history of this country.
= Он прочел достаточно книг, чтоб узнать историю этой страны.

3. adjectives modified by SO. Infinitives in these cases are introduced by AS.

The rat was so weak as to be unable to move on.
= Крыса была такая слабая, что не могла двигаться.

4. nouns modified by SUCH. Infinitive in these cases are introduced by AS.

"I am not such a fool as to believe you!" - my uncle replied.
= "Я не такой дурак, чтобы поверить тебе!" - ответил мой дядя.

► Adverbials of comparison expressed by infinitives are introduced by AS IF, AS THOUGH or THAN.

The infinitives preceded by AS IF, AS THOUGH have an additional meaning of purpose or manner.
Maggy smiled as if/a s though to sav 'no'. [= as if he wanted to say 'no'.]
= Мэгги улыбнулась словно хотела сказать "нет".
When such infinitives are introduced by THAN, the predicate groups include adjectives or ad­
verbs in the comparative degree. After THAN the marker TO is optional.
They were more willing to discuss things than (to) act.
= Они более хотели говорить, нежели действовать.

► Adverbials of subsequent events expressed by infinitives follow the predicates of the sentences
and denote actions that take place after the actions of the predicates. Such infinitives are sometimes
introduced by the adverbs NEVER, ONLY, MERELY and SIMPLY.
He returned home to learn that his daughter had iust become engaged.
= Он вернулся домой и узнал, что его дочка недавно обручилась.

Не went to live in Paris never to return to his home-town.

 The Syntactic: Functions of the Infinitive 71
= Он уехал жить в Париж и никогда больше не возвращался в свой родной город.
The conjunctions ONLY, MERELY and SIMPLY emphasise the idea of surprise and disappointment;
they make the actions denoted by the infinitives look pointless or irrelevant.
I worked on the project for years, only/merely/simply to be told it was canceled.
= Я работала над проектом годы, а затем мне сказали, что его закрыли.

Such sentences can be paraphrased in the following way.

Freddy joined the rock group to become its frontman.
= Freddy joined the rock group AND became its frontman.
= Фредди пришел в рок-группу и стал в ней ведущим вокалистом.

► Adverbials of time expressed by infinitives follow the predicates of the sentences. Their actions
mark out the moment of time up to which or at which the actions of the predicates are performed.
My grandpa lived to be a hundred.
= My grandpa lived until he was a hundred.
= Мой дедушка дожил до 100 лет.

I shudder to think about the consequences.

= I shudder when I think about the consequences.
= Я содрогаюсь при мысли о последствиях.

► Adverbials of condition can be expressed by the infinitives of the verbs of sense perception: see,
look, watch, hear, listen, feel, touch, etc. They can either follow or precede the predicates. The
predicates of such sentences denote the consequences; they are commonly the verbs of mental
activity: think, believe, consider, imagine, etc. The conditional meaning is often supported by the
future tense form or the conditional mood form of the finite verb.
To look at Jess, you will / would think that she is still in her teens.
= Глядя на Джесс, можно было подумать, что она еще подросток.

► Adverbials of exception expressed by infinitives denote actions which are the only possible ones
in the situation. They are introduced by BUT or EXCEPT and found only in negative or interrogative
sentences. IMPORTANT! The infinitives are used without their marker TO.
What could the expedition do but turn back?
= Что оставалось делать экспедиции, как только повернуть обратно?

We don't do much in the evening except watch television.

= Мы вечерами ничего особенного не делаем, лишь смотрим телевизор.

Ш From the structural point of view infinitive adverbials can be

• simple: He is old enough to understand.
• phrasal: She was careful never to repeat her mistake.
• complex: This coffee is too hot for you to drink. 11
11 For detailed treatment see THE FOR-TO-INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTIONS
72 English Grammar Practice

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

ADVERBIALS OF PURPOSE

Ex. 69 A Why do you think the following groups of people need / want to learn English?
Use in order to / so as to...

Model: Hotel receptionists -> Hotel receptionists need English in order to talk toforeign guests.

1. businesspeople 3. scientists 5. pilots 7. housewives

2. secretaries 4. engineers 6. journalists 8. people in the travel business

Ex. 69 В Why do some people need or use these things?

Model: sleeping pills Some people need sleeping pills so as to help them to sleep.

1. a safe 5. make-up
2. an alarm clock 6. artificial sweeteners
3. medicine and tablets 7. hair dye
4. perfume / aftershave 8. a walking stick

Transform these sentences to include an infinitive purpose clause introduced by the words

■
1.
2.
given in brackets.

A lot of people learn English because they want to study in English, (in order to)
What do I need to know if I want to be a good doctor? (in order to)
3. I came to live in the country. I wanted to have trees around me instead of buildings, (so as)
4. If you want to have a hundred students, you will need at least three teachers, (so as)
5. She turned up early because she wanted to get the room ready, (in order to)
6. As he wanted to do some weight-training, he went to the gym. (in order to)
7. I could buy some new trainers as I was given some money for that, (so as)
8. We left the house early. We didn't want to be late for the performance, (so as)
9. Everyone was pushing because they wanted to get to the front of the queue, (in order to)
10. Try to write clearly. That way you will avoid being misunderstood, (so as)

Щ Combine the following pairs of sentences. Use the appropriate conjunctions if necessary.

1. I read about your problems and came. I wanted to see if I could help.
2. John wanted to avoid trouble. He left the room. •
3. Mary looked at me. She wanted to see what I meant.
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 73
4. His niece put her face up. She wanted to be kissed.
5. At last Lawson, exhausted, got up. He decided to go home.
6. It occurred to him that his information might be used. He wanted to help the girl.
7. Then she looked up and down at the Westminster Bridge Road.She wanted to see if he
was in view.
8. So I went up to the counter and collected the penicillin, then went back. I decided to sit
and wait with George.

Translate into English using infinitives as adverbials of purpose.

1. Он вызвал машину, чтобы отвезти нас на станцию.

2. Я встал в 6 часов, чтобы не опоздать на утренний поезд.
3. Все было сделано для того, чтобы спасти его.
4. Я написал ему письмо, чтобы напомнить ему о его обещании.
5. Ребенок выбежал навстречу матери.
6. Вы приехали для участия в конференции?
7. Он отдал свою рукопись на редакцию.

ADVERBIALS OF RESULT
Combine the following pairs of sentences using infinitives as adverbials of result. Use

И
Model:
the adverbs TOO or ENOUGH where necessary.

He is old. He can be your father. -> He is old enough to be your father.

1. He felt excited. He couldn't sleep.
2. I'm weak. I can't help you.
3. I didn't know that the office was very close. We could reach it on foot.
4. She speaks Spanish well. She can be an interpreter.
5. I was tired. I couldn't go up to the dining-room.
6. We arrived early. We could have some coffee before class began.
7. He was angry. He couldn't care what he did.
8. She received a large pension. It could keep her for a lifetime.
9. He was kind to me. He said that he knew no one who combined those qualities to so
high a degree as I do.
10. They sucked their teeth automatically at us and then realized we were bred. We couldn't
be annoyed by it.

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence.
Use the word given and other words to complete each sentence.
1. He is too short to become a basketball player.
not He is become a basketball player.
74 English Grammar Practice

2. It is such an expensive ring that I cannot buy it.

too The ring is_____________________ . buy.
3. Mary can afford to buy a car; she's been saving up for months.
money Mary has__________________ a car; she's been saving up for months.
The case wasn't light enough to lift.
too The case was to lift.
5. I'm not patient. I can't be a wildlife photographer.
so I'm not__________________________________be a wildlife photographer.
Charlotte is an experienced traveller, that's why she feels at home in most places.
as Charlotte is _____________ feel at home in most places.
Marilyn is a lady. She will never mention the accident,
enough Marilyn is __________________________________ the accident.

Ex. 75 Combine the sentences using SO + ADJECTIVE + AS TO-INFINITIVE.

Model: He was naive. — He believed us. -> He was so naive as to believe us.

1. The noise from the factory was loud. a) It was nearly illegible.
2. Her handwriting was untidy. b) It was insignificant.
3. The bookcase was heavy. c) It was unplayable.
4. The CD was badly scratched. d) It prevented me from sleeping.
5. The plot of the novel was complicated. e) It was almost impossible to move it.
6. The difference between the results was small. f) It was completely incomprehensible.

Complete the following.

1 .1was too astonished .... 7. It was such music as....

2. The boy is clever enough .... 8. The problem was too complicated ....
3. The sea was so stormy as .... 9. His illness was not so serious as ....
4. He was gentleman enough .... 10. She was woman enough ....
5. The wind was so strong as .... 11. He was so fortunate as ....
6. The ship was too fa r.... 12. He produced such an impression as never.

Translate the following sentences into English.

1. Ребенок слишком мал, чтобы понять вашу шутку.
2. Он был так поражен, что не мог вымолвить ни слова.
3. Это был такой спектакль, что его нелегко забыть.
4. Было уже слишком поздно, чтобы менять что-нибудь.
5. Он был достаточно художником, чтобы оценить картину.
6. Эта книга слишком большая, чтобы прочитать ее за один день.
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 75
7. Ураган был такой сильный, что сорвал крыши с многих домов.
8. Они не знают его достаточно хорошо, чтобы довериться ему.
9. Вопрос был слишком сложным, чтобы решать его так поспешно.
10. Он вел себя достаточно по-мужски и не растерялся.

Ex. 78 Correct the mistakes in the sentences below.

1. It was raining so the bench was too wet to sit on it.
2. I'm not enough strong to lift that suitcase.
3. She was cruel as to send a man to death.
4. The house is too shabby to live.
5. He was too tired not to go to the party.
6. She arrived too late for to catch the train.
7. The streets aren't wide enough to drive along them.
8. I have so much money go to Africa.
9. That cat's old and fat to catch any birds.
10. He isn't such a man to break his promise.

Ex. 79 Complete the following sentences using words from the box.

Model: I'd like an elephant as a pet because they're so intelligent. But they're not small enough
to live in our apartment.

boring relaxing intelligent pretty friendly convenient...

1. I would like a spider as a pet because ...

I wouldn't like a spider as a pet because ...
2. I like Sundays because they're ...
I don't like Sundays because they're ...
3. I like [NAME OF AN ACTOR] because ...
I don't like [NAME OF AN ACTOR] because ...
4. I eat a lot of chocolate because ...
I don't eat a lot of chocolate because ...

ADVERBIALS OF COMPARISON

Paraphrase the following sentences using infinitives as adverbials of comparison.

He looked at them all as if he wished to sav. «It's time». ->

He looked at them all as if to sav. «It's time».
The secretary looked through the document as if she wanted to check it.
76 English Grammar Practice

2. She turned to me as if she was going to ask me something.

3. He pressed his finger to his lips as if he wanted to warn her.
4. The captain rushed towards the goal as if he wanted to kick the leather ball through the
goal.
5. Looking at his watch the referee took a whistle to his mouth as though he wished to stop
the match.
6. A middle-aged man bent over the rail as though he was going to run out into the race­
course.
7. Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick, as if he was trying to get a fly off the end.
8. On hearing me say that she shrugged her shoulders as though she wanted to express her
indifference.

Supply the beginning to the following sentences.

1................................ than to be loved.

2................................ as if to say good-bye.
3................................. as though to win that competition.
4................................. as if to make everybody laugh at me.
5..................................than keep to bed all day.
6.............. .................. as if to sound wise.
7................................. as though to kill somebody.

Translate into English.

1. Папа вернулся, как будто для того, чтобы сказать нам что-то важное.
2. Она считает, что у нее есть более важные дела, чем мыть посуду.
3. Он позвал Лизу, как будто для того, чтобы извиниться за что-то.
4. Врач ополоснул лицо и голову холодной водой, словно для того, чтобы успокоиться.
5. Насколько легче быть критичным, чем быть правым.
6. Сохраняй свое право думать, т. к. думать неправильно лучше^чем совсем не думать.

ADVERBIALS OF SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Think of the ways to convey the idea expressed by the infinitives in Russian.

1. He returned to his motherland never to leave it again.

2. He went out into the street to find himself in the crowd of well-dressed people.
3. He went to Africa to die of malaria.
4. The success of the poems gave Byron every right to write: "I awoke one morning to find
myself famous."
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 77
5. He woke up and went on deck to be told that they were almost abreast of the lights of
Brighton.
6. They heard a voice above them, and looked up to see a woman's head thrust through a
small window.
7. At times he smiled softly to himself — only, immediately after, — to relapse again into gloom.

Paraphrase the following sentences according to the model. Translate them into
Russian.

Model: I turned round to find myselfface to face with Miss Peabody. ->
I turned round and found myselfface to face with Miss Peabody.
1. He arrived at eleven o'clock to see that everything was ready.
2. He rose to find Janet and the captain standing beside him..
3. He arrived at three o'clock to learn that Fleur had gone out with the car at ten.
4. Startled, he looked up to find her smiling.
5. The cigarette glowed and faded, only to glow again.
6. The door opened to reveal Albert Wells. He was fully dressed.
7. On the Christmas Eve I returned from the Falls to find a crowd of natives quarrelling
outside the garage.

Replace the finite verbs in bold type by the infinitive making all the necessary changes.
| H Use the words QDly^mS!^iViMme})L if necessary.

1. Madeleine flew to New York but only discovered that her daughter was on the Coast.
2. John hurried to the house and only found that it was empty.
3. He opened his eyes and saw clouds and drenched trees and felt the drops splashing on
his face.
4. Bill had toured the world and understood how true the saying was which went, "East or
west, home is best."
5. When I came back I found the door locked and the key hanging from a nail in the hall.
6. He joined the Philharmonic Orchestra, where he soon became the leading violin soloist.
7. He tried to persuade her not to do so, but only broke down and stopped.
8. On entering the house she saw her son walking up and down in an agony of doubt.
9. He looked towards the door and saw the butler standing in the conventional attitude.
10. Olive heard the side gate open, and, looking out of the window, she saw John walking up
the garden.
11. After a long separation they met at last, and never did they part again.
 __________________________________________________________ English Grammar Practice

Ex. 86 Complete the following sentences using the infinitives as an adverbial of purpose and

Model: ■ as an adverbial of subsequent events.

In the morning I awoke early....

In the morning I awoke early to prepare breakfast for the whole family.(purpose)
In the morning I awoke early only to find out that everybody was having breakfast
already. (subsequent events)

1. She switched on the TV-set.... 4 .1took a mouthful of juice ....

2. The woman opened her bag .... 5. David opened the cellar....
3. One morning I came into the room .... 6. Marion went to the East....

Ex. 87 Translate the following into English.

Я проснулась и увидела, что нахожусь в больнице.
Елена пришла в университет и узнала, что все лекции были отменены.
Джейк вернулся в свою родную деревню и никогда уже оттуда не уезжал.
Они приехали к друзьям на дачу и обнаружили, что все двери закрыты и вокруг ни
души.
Однажды утром она проснулась знаменитой.
Придя в гараж, он обнаружил, что машины нет.
Она зашла в комнату и увидела, что мама плачет над разбитой китайской вазой.

ADVERBIALS. MISCELLANEOUS PRACTICE

Ex. 88 Match the identifiers with the name of the adverbial they specify.

An adverbial of purpose as if, as though, than

An adverbial of result in order, so as
An adverbial of comparison only, never, merely, simply
An adverbial of subsequent events enough, too, so... as, such... as

Ex. 89 Specify the types of the adverbial modifiers that the infinitives express in the following

■
A.
1.
sentences.

After work I was too tired to have dinner, so I went straight to bed.
2. We read books to enlarge our horizons.
3. He took all the cards as if to shuffle them.
4. She didn't love Willy enough to marry him.
I he Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 79
5. He came to visit his relatives only to be left alone till the very evening.
6. You have to know the Dutch language so as to understand her.
7. He was so clever as to understand her.
8. I would rather love than be loved.
9. I could do nothing but agree.

B.
1. He put his suitcase down and put his twohands to his face as if to cool it.
2. I've seen the Rocky Horror Show oftenenough tohave learntmost of the words.
3. He defended himself so as to prove his innocence.
4. Is there anyone so wise as to learn by the experience of others?
5. To avoid my mother's questions, I went up to my room.
6. He took the advantage of this confusion to escape and ran up the stairs to the studio.
7. He took the picture down from the easel only to put it back against the wall.
8. Nothing is too small to know, and nothing is too big to attempt.
9. But I did not come here in order to gain anything.
10. He ran his hand through his hair as though to tidy it.
11. Time meanwhile flies, flies never to return.
12. She didn't live to see the end of the war.
13. He rarely went out except to take part in the social life of the town.
14. To hear him, one would think he was as poor as a church mouse.
15. These women have nothing to do but talk.

[здеш ня Paraphrase the following sentences using the infinitives as adverbials.

1. We got seats at the front so that we could have a better view.
2. She did not have enough courage, otherwise she would have said it to your face.
3. I prefer staying at this hotel to looking for something else.
4. I sat down and started watching but only then I realized that I had seen the film before.
5. It will be documented in such a way so that it prevents misunderstanding.
6. The man made in my direction as if he was going to stop me, then turned abruptly and
walked away.
7. We arrived at the theatre and discovered that the leading actor was sick.
8. Miss Pinkerton did not know a word of French, but she was very proud and would not
confess it.
9. The girl waved her handkerchief so that she might be taken notice of.
10. The voices seemed so distant that they were meaningless.
11. If a new musical is going to be successful, it needs to have at least three great tunes.
12. If you hear him speak, you might think he had never been in the wrong.
80

Act as a teacher and correct the following passage.

One day we went on a tour as to wander around sleepy villages and enjoy the beautiful
countryside. We were captivated enough by the soft rolling hills, dramatic mountains and
inspiring landscapes as to utter a word. My friend opened his mouth as if to want to ask our
guide something but kept silent. I realized that I preferred to meander around the picturesque
market towns with their unhurried atmosphere than to search for history in the city packed
with tourists. We were so tired to go back to the hotel to eat. So we spent some time looking
for a nice cheap cafe and only to find a Chinese takeaway. We had nothing to do but to eat
Chinese food in the hear

Translate into English.

1. Она повернулась, словно для того, чтобы уйти.
2. Он надеялся, что Филипп пришел, чтобы все объяснить.
3. Мой сын был достаточно взрослым, чтобы заметить мое настроение.
4. Я сказал, что я был слишком занят, чтобы разговаривать, и положил трубку.
5. Она посмотрела на меня так, как будто хотела сказать, что мне лучше молчать.
6. Он делал все возможное, чтобы подружиться с нами.
7. Ребенок так устал, что был не в состоянии раздеться.
8. В то время он недостаточно хорошо себя чувствовал, чтобы путешествовать.
9. Я, наконец-то, нашел гостиницу, но мне там сказали, что номер для меня не
забронирован.
10. Он разозлился, когда услышал об этом.
11. Он повернулся к окну, словно хотел сказать, что разговор окончен.
12. Если ты увидишь, как он танцует, ты никогда этого не забудешь.
13. Дети начали смеяться все сразу, чтобы через минуту понять, как жестока была шутка.
14. Она не выходила из дома все выходные, не считая посещения церкви.
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 81

THE INFINITIVE AS A PARENTHESIS

Infinitives can be used in some fixed phrases that are added to a speech or piece of writing
• to give extra information
• to show the way the speaker thinks and feels about somebody or something
• to provide an explanation or comment upon the content of the whole sentence.
I am fond of art, to sav nothing of music.
It was cold and raining, and, to crown it all, we had to walk home.
To make matters worse, it began to pour.

These syntactically independent elements are called parentheses. In writing or printing they are
separated from the rest of the text by commas, dashes or brackets. The examples of to-infinitives in
parentheses are:
• needless to say - не приходится и говорить о; не говоря уже о
• not to speak of / not to mention - не говоря уже о
• not to say - 1 ) чтобы не сказать; 2) это не значит, что
• so to speak - так сказать
• strange to say - удивительно, что; любопытно, что; как ни странно; смешно сказать
• that is to say - то есть
• to be (perfectly / quite) honest/frank -(совершенно) откровенно говоря; по правде говоря
• to be precise - точнее говоря
• to begin with - во-первых, прежде всего; начать с того, что; сначала; для начала
• to crown it all - в довершение ко всему (неприятному)
• to make things / the matters (still) worse - в довершение ко всему (неприятному)
• to cut/make a long story short - чтобы долго не распространяться, короче, говоря кратко,
одним словом
• to put it briefly/in a nutshell — кратко, в двух словах, одним словом
• to put it in another way - другими словами, иначе
• to put it mildly - мягко говоря
• to put it plainly - просто; откровенно / прямо говоря; выражаясь ясно;
• to put it crudely - грубо / прямо говоря
• to put it clearly - выражаясь ясно;
• to repeat - повторюсь
• to say the least / nothing o f - по меньшей мере /уж не говоря о
• to speak the truth / to tell (you) the truth - по правде говоря
• to sum (it) up - подводя итог, резюмируя, суммируя
82 English Grammar Practice

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Translate into Russian. Pay special attention to the use of the infinitives.

1. Her comments were tactless, to say the least.

2. She had broken precious china, one of her husband's wedding presents, and, to make
things still worse, she never told anyone about it.
3. To be fair (to him), he wasn't entirely to blame.
4. She had become one of those London girls to whom rest, not to say pleasure, is unknown.
5. Needless to say, it infuriated him.
6. To put it crudely, whatever a man's manner of life, such is his manner of thought.
7. To make a long story short, the company broke up, and returned to the more important
concern of the election.

Ex. 94 Give the English equivalents for the following phrases. Make up sentences with them.

по правде говоря • не приходится и говорить

- в довершение ко всему • короче говоря
для начала • как ни странно
мягко говоря • откровенно говоря
не говоря уже о • как назло

Ex. 95 Complete the sentences. Choose the appropriate infinitive phrase from the list below.

to be frank to say the least

strange to say to say nothing of
needless to say tomake things still worse
that is to say

1. The effort required was immense,___________________________ the cost.

2. The Romans left Britain in 410 A.D. — _________________ , England was under Roman
rule for nearly 500 years.
3. Just imagine! When he climbed to the top of the mountain the sun scorched his face, he
broke his leg and , he lagged behind the group.
4. , he had somehow got the bone lodged in his throat.
5. , I was thinking of going in for teaching.
6. After her marriage it was as if she'd got a new lease of life,____________ .
7. _____________________________ , less talented artists were totally eclipsed.
The Syntactic Functions of the Infinitive 83

Ex. 96 Translate the sentences into English. Pay attention to the use of the infinitives as

■
1.
2.
3.
parentheses.

Короче говоря, ей удалось это сделать.

Все требовало ухода: сад, конюшни, не говоря уже о доме.
Как ни странно, но она никогда нам не звонит.
4. По меньшей мере, моя коллега поступила неразумно.
5. Мягко говоря, он редко сочувствует ей.
6. Он, так сказать, слишком молод для такой карьеры.
7. Только однажды я забыл закрыть окна в машине. Не приходится и говорить, что
именно тогда пошел дождь.
8. Проще говоря, если хотите присоединиться к нам, приезжайте рано утром, и мы
вас отвезем туда.
9. Дом его сгорел, машину украли и, ко всему прочему, он потерял работу.
10. Для начала, тебе нужно повторить употребление артиклей с именами сущест­
вительными.

Ex. 97 What do you think of the following? Use the following infinitive phrases in your

I answers. Make up other situations to use the given phrases parenthetically.

• My brother is leaving for Ireland next Monday.

• Nancy is a shopaholic.
• You should work a lot and keep the nose to the grindstone.
• He is suffering from food poisoning.
• London is worth a visit.

to be quite frank to crown it all

to tell the truth to be more precise
to put it more plainly to say nothing o f...
needless to say to make things worse
to put it mildly to make a long story short

MISCELLANEOUS PRACTICE
Ex. 98
Ц State the functions of the infinitives in the following sentences.

1. Gradually, she came to realize how wrong she had been.

2. To recover completely you must begin your work, but it mustn't be hard work.
3. It does not need Sherlock Holmes to understand that something is up.
4. He returned to find his wife already home and seated with some work.
5. He was far too bright a boy to be deceived.
6. Give me where to stand, and I will move the earth.
84 English Grammar Practice

7. Her wish was to move to the Netherlands, though the weather there left much to be
desired.
8. The confusion that followed would be impossible to describe.
9. The offer came from out of the blue and she didn't want to ever discuss it.
10. To see how he is dressed one would never believe he is so rich.
11. And to make things worse, the children tried to open the door but it wouldn't open.
12. Charity rider covered 3,500 miles only to have his bicycle stolen in Portland. (Newspaper
Headlines)
13. There is only one way to acquire a new idea. It is to combine two or more ideas you
know in such a manner as to discover a new relationship among them.
14. He bursts with health and the doctors say he'll live to be a hundred.

Some of these sentences contain errors. Find and correct them.

1. The reason for their refusal is hard to be guessed.

2. Fold the paper so as to have the envelope.
3. The first thing to do was call the police.
4. The dog wagged its tail as if to want to say 'Welcome back!'
5. You give me reason to have lived, my dear.
6. The announcement wasn't enough loud to hear.
7. He was surprised to fire after working so hard.

n M T iM Translate the sentences into English and state the functions of the infinitives.

1. Он продолжал напевать какую-то мелодию.

2. Ему дали денег, чтобы он купил словари для всей группы.
3. Он встал, словно для того, чтобы пойти к гостям.
4. Самое важное в общении это услышать то, что не было сказано.
5. Сказать правду было невозможно, и поэтому ей пришлось придумать историю.
6. Кто говорит, что жизнь скучна? Ведь есть книги, которые можно читать, картины,
которыми можно восхищаться, музыка, которая может соответствовать вашему
настроению (to meet your mood).
7. Я решил прогуляться, но пошел мелкий дождь, и мне пришлось вернуться домой.
8. Всегда бывает достаточно легко найти основание для того, чтобы ничего не
делать.
9. У нее есть власть управлять людьми. И как же трудно иметь с ней дело!
10. Одним словом, мне ничего другого не оставалось, как принять их условия.
 Predicative Complexes with the Infinitive 85

PREDICATIVE COMPLEXES WITH THE INFINITIVE

Q Predicative complexes with the infinitive are

• the for-to-infinitive construction
• the objective infinitive construction
• the subjective infinitive construction.

ffl Each of these constructions consists of a nominal element and a verbal element. The elements
of a construction form a syntactic complex that functions as a single member of a sentence:
a complex subject, a complex predicative, a complex object, a complex attribute or a complex
adverbial.

ffl The infinitives within these constructions denote the actions performed by the nominal elements,
i.e. they are in secondary subject-predicate relation to the nominal elements12. Some grammarians
prefer to say that the infinitive can have a subject of its own.

THE FOR-TO-INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTION

f fl The for-to-infinitive construction consists of
• a nominal element expressed by (1) a noun in the common case,
(2) a personal pronoun in the objective case (me, him, her,
it, us, you, them),
(3) some other pronoun (everybody, anyone, themselves,
himself etc.).
It is introduced by the preposition FOR.
• a verbal element expressed by an infinitive or an infinitive phrase.

f fl The elements of the construction are in secondary subject-predicate relation. The infinitive
describes an action that is performed by the nominal element. The agent of the action expressed
by the infinitive is different from the subject of the whole sentence.

That book was

There is nothing for Tom
The book was easy f for him to read,
Jess was waiting for everybody
The book is easy enough

12 The primary subject-predicate relation is the relation between the subject and the predicate of the sentence
86 English Grammar Practice

Compare the following sentences. In the first example the subject of the sentence performs the
actions expressed by the predicate - brought — and the infinitive — to read. In the second
example there are two agents. The first agent - he - is the subject of the sentence. The second
one - you - performs the action expressed by the infinitive — to read.

(1) He has brought a book to read. (2) He has brought a book for YOU to read.

(He wants to read the book.) (= You are expected to read the book.)

ffl The construction is rendered into Russian with the help of either an infinitive or a clause.
It's important for some people to be important.
= Некоторым людям очень важно быть важными.

This room is too hot for us to stay in.

= Эта комната слишком жаркая, чтобы мы в ней остались.

ffl Functionally, the infinitive and its agent form a syntactic complex which can be used as
1. a complex subject - with or without an introductory IT.
It is unlikely for a bridge to collapse like that.
= For a bridge to collapse like that is unlikely.
= Маловероятно, что мост вот так обрушится.

2. a complex predicative.
That was for him to decide.
= Это ему решать.

The idea was for us to meet on Thursday.

= Планировалось, что мы встретимся в четверг.

3. a complex part of a predicative.

The decision was not easy for us to arrive at.
= Нам было непросто придти к этому решению.
This passage is difficult for me to understand.
= Мне сложно понять этот абзац.
Predicative Complexes with the Infinitive 87
4. a complex object - with or without an introductory IT.
I think it rather stranae for vou to ask questions like that.
=Мне кажется странным, что ты задаешь подобные вопросы.

I am anxious for vou to come to stay with us.

= Мне очень хочется, чтобы ты приехала к нам погостить.

5. a complex attribute.
The only thing for us to do was to leave immediately.
= Единственное, что нам оставалось сделать, это немедленно уйти.

There is no chance for me to avoid the execution.

= Мои шансы избежать наказания равны нулю.

6. a complex adverbial of
(a) purpose.
The gentleman stepped aside for the ladv to pass.
= Джентльмен уступил дорогу даме.

(b) result.
He spoke slowly enough for everybody to understand.
= Он говорил достаточно медленно, чтобы все его поняли.

The machine was too complicated for me to operate.

= Механизм был слишком сложным, чтобы я могла им управлять.
(c) comparison.
It would be better to move to your parents than for them to leave their home.
= Было бы лучше переехать к твоим родителям, чем им уезжать из дома.

Ш Any form of the infinitive can be used within the constructions.

for us to be dancing for hours,

for the contract to be signed after a close inspection,
for them to have been invited.
It was natural
for him to have done it._
for him to have been working all those years to earn their living.
88 English Grammar Practice

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Ex. 100 Translate into Russian paying attention to the for-to-infinitive constructions.

1.For me to miss that concert was a crime.

2. She gave orders for all of us to stop panicking.
3. It would be a mistake for Susan to change her job right now.
4. There is no need for the conference to start so early.
5. When the young are together it is wise for an old man to be with other old men or to be
away — it is an old saying.
6. Management sometimes makes it difficult for employees to work.
7. It seemed impossible for either of us to remain much longer in the house.
8. It's a bad idea for John to go to Australia this year.
9. He was a very nice fellow. You had only to say you wanted something for him to give it to you.
10. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into
the kingdom of God.

Study the following chart, compare the patterns and translate the sentences into Russian.

Simple / phrasal Complex

subject 1. It is necessarv to so through a 1. It is necessarv for you to go through a

special test if you want to work in his special test if you want to work in his
laboratory. laboratory.
2. It's almost time to start. 2. It's almost time for the Dartv to start.
3. To see vou was sheer eniovment. 3. For us to see vou was sheer
enjoyment.

predicative 1. The best thing is to move to the 1. The best thing is for vou to move to
South. the South.
2. The olan was to redecorate the 2. The Dlan was for them to redecorate
house by summer. the house by summer.

part of 1. The address on the envelope was 1. The address on the envelope was hard
predicative hard to make out. for me to make out.

object 1.1 am waiting to sav something on the 1.1 am waiting for vou to sav something
subject. on the subject.
2. We find it unusual to sav such Drivate 2. We find it unusual for him to sav such
things in public. private things in public.

attribute 1. There is no need to leave so earlv. 1. There is no need for you to leave so earlv.
redtcative Complexes with the Infinitive 89

adverbial 1. He repeated the words twice to. 1. He repeated the words twice for.
of purpose understand them better. evervbodv to understand them better.
2.He opened the doors of the car to eet 2. He opened the doors of the car for us
in. to eet in.

adverbial 1. The weather was too cold to so out. 1. The weather was too cold for the
of result children to eo out.
2. The article is easy enough to. 2. The article is easy enoueh for vou to
translate it without a dictionary. translate it without a dictionary.

adverbial of 1. It is easier to buy frozen food than 1. It is easier to buy frozen food than for.
comparison cook from scratch. housewives to cook from scratch.

Ex. 102 State the syntactic functions of the for-to-infinitive constructions.

1. For him to act so is rather unusual.

2. There is nothing for you to do but leave at once.
3. The best thing is for you to examine the pros and cons.
4. It was difficult for Bob to keep such a big family.
5. After all, we have known the man long enough for Mark to trust him.
6. Emma was a suitable child for them to adopt.
7. I've bought a tin of pastries for you to enjoy.
8. All she wanted was for her mother to come to terms with her past, gain peace of mind,
as well as a bit of happiness for once.
9. The worst thing for you to do now is to leave without saying a single word.
10. I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue
to write.
11. Teddy put the kettle on, stood near the stove waiting for the water to boil.
12. She spread jam for him and cut up the bread and butter into convenient slices for the
child to eat.
13. The hill was shaded with young trees, but there wasn't enough soil for them to grow to
any height.
14. For me to be 70 years young is better than for some people to be 40 years old.
15. I kept waiting for her to do it, but she wouldn't.
90______________________________________________________________________ English Grammar Practice

кгО Т гё Я Transform the sentences according to the model using the words from the box.

necessary important possible impossible

__________ difficult traditional hard easy__________

Model: You should think twice before you agree. ->

It is important for you to think twice before you agree.
1. Students should enjoy their student lives.
2. We don't have to hurry. There's plenty of time.
3. A fish can't live out of water.
4. A child usually can't sit still for a long time.
5. Students have to budget their time carefully.
6. My family always have turkey on Christmas.
7. I usually can't understand fluent English.
8. Teachers should be competent.
9. The guests usually wait until the hostess begins to eat.
10. The bride usually feeds the groom the first piece of the wedding cake.
11. Mary should start thinking about her future.
12. Animals can't talk or think or plan something.
13. I can understand my teacher most of the time.
14. A writer should be imaginative.
15. My parents are anxious I should enter the University.

ГТ Ж П ТИ Practise the following according to the model. State the functions.

Model: There was nothing to do there, (he) ->

There was nothing for him to do there.

1. My advice is to keep away from colds, (you)

2. There was nothing to argue about, (they)

3. I'm willing to start a business, (my elder son)

4. It was a reasonable remark to make, (the mother)

5. We have reached the age when it's necessary to think of the future, (all of us)

6. The best thing is to send them a telegram. (I)

7. It was an expensive present to buy. (she)

predicative Complexes with the Infinitive 91
8. It is easier and faster to call a taxi than wait for the next bus. (the tourists)

9. We are sorry to have to leave the seaside so soon, (our cousins)

10. There was no reason to get worried, (both of us)

11. He leaned to see the stage, (his wife)

12. Here's an example to follow, (everybody)

13. The situation was too embarrassing to describe, (she)

14. 1think it will be dangerous to go to the Crimea in this old car. (we)

15. She has arranged to leave for Paris in the early morning, (her friends)

16. The idea was not clear enough to understand, (the young people)

m
Ex. 105 |Combine the following sentences so as to use for-to-infinitive constructions.

1. The streets were too busy. We couldn't drive fast.

2. The climb was too dangerous. We could not risk our lives.

3. There was too little time left. 1couldn't think over the situation.

4. A woman should be always dressed in good taste. It's important.

5. The postman ought to come. It's almost the time.

6. This landscape is easy to paint. A child can do it.

7. He has written an article. It seems strange.

8. 1got away from home. It was a relief.

9. 1closed the door. We didn't want to be disturbed.

10. We shouldn't stay here any longer. There is no need in it.

11 . He waited in the office. The secretary hadn't turned up yet.

92 English Grammar Practice

Ex. 106 1 Paraphrase the following sentences so as to use for-to-infinitive constructions.

1. Sandy stood at the kitchen door waiting till Miss Brodie came for a walk by the sea.

2. It is time that you should go, Tom.

3. There was nobody who she could speak to.

4. Was it possible that she could forget him?

5. Here is a book that you will always keep on your writing-desk.

6. The best thing that you can do is to employ a real specialist to do the job.

7. We remained at the station and waited till the storm passed.

8. This is a matter that you must see to personally.

9. The only thing that he could do was to burn the old rubbish.

10. That day there was no business that 1had to attend to.

11. We stopped the bus so that the tourists might get on.

12. He held the door open to let her come in.

Transform the sentences so as to use for-to-infinitive constructions.

1. The most important thing is that we should stay cool.

2. Let us wait till the parcel is delivered.

3. It's unbelievable that he should have really meant it.

4. This is the day which they shall remember for a long time.

5. He is the expert whom you should consult.

6. 1stood there waiting when the door would open.

7. I shall leave some money so that they may spend it.

predicative Complexes with the Infinitive 93
8. Martin sent his family to his parents' so that they could be having a good time there.

9. It is quite natural that she has refused his proposal.

10. What I want is that you should be given a visa.

11. Phone the office and we will be met at the station.

12. When I became a vegetarian, I had to wait for some time until my organism got used
to it.

13. Mr. Marshall's suggestion was that the contract should be signed without any delay.

14. The days have become too short, so we can't be walking for hours as we did in the
summertime.

Ex. 108 Complete the following so as to use for-to-infinitive constructions.

1. The best thing for you ...

2. It was bad experience for me ...
3. That was for the boss ...
4. It is a joy for him ...
5. She was sitting and waiting for someone ...
6. The plan is for us ...
7. There will be many interesting people for you ...
8. 1am very anxious fo r...
9. 1have arranged fo r...
10. It took a moment fo r...
11. The poem was hard fo r...
12. It would be more sensible fo r...
13. It was easy enough fo r...
14. She cried out loud fo r...
15. It would be much easier fo r... than for...

Translate the following sentences using for-to-infinitive constructions.

1. Задача слишком сложна, чтобы вам справится с ней одному.

2. Он попросил, чтобы ему выслали книги почтой.
3. Им необходимо отдохнуть, чтобы быть в хорошей форме на соревнованиях.
4. Тебе легко говорить, что я справлюсь с этой работой, а я не очень в этом уверен.
5. Поездка слишком интересная, чтобы нам ее упустить.
94 English Grammar Practice

6. Они ждали, когда подадут обед.

7. Для них было обычным делом подвозить людей, идущих на ярмарку.
8. Тебе нет необходимости работать так много и рисковать здоровьем.
9. План заключался в том, чтобы все его дети и внуки собрались дома на Рождество.
10. Не им обсуждать этот вопрос.
11. Он искал спокойное место, где бы его семья могла провести выходные.
12. Мне легче сделать это самому, чем тебе оставаться после работы.
13. Тебе решать, кого назначить на этот пост.
14. Единственное, что ему остается сделать, это извиниться за свой поступок.
15. Нам было трудно читать его неаккуратный почерк.
16. Я оставила письма на столе, чтобы мистер Питерс подписал их.
17. У него очень хорошая память. Ему достаточно только раз услышать слово, и он
запомнит его на всю жизнь.
18. Машина проехала слишком быстро, чтобы я мог рассмотреть лицо водителя.
19. Не такая это игра, чтобы дети могли в нее играть.

MISCELLANEOUS P R A C T IC E

Ex. 110 Some of these sentences contain errors. Find and correct them.

1. 1had a lot of letters and cards on my table to be answered.

2. Her attitude to this was hard to be explained.
3. He arrived at the station only to have found that the last train had left.
4. It couldn't do anything but to arouse Jack's suspicion.
5. It was an opportunity to speak for her to him.
6. She turned away to conceal her tears.
7. All we could do was take him to the station as soon as possible.
8. 1think 1will go to England in order to improve my English.
9. Goodness knows there is nowhere to be going in the old town.
10. Her name was Matilda, but she didn't like to call in this way.
11. 1was one of the first to have been informed about that exciting news.
12. Antony claims to have an affair with her some years ago.
13. She made a gesture as if to have attracted his attention.
14. He is enough strong to lift it.
15. The man was so absent-minded as to leave his hat at home every day.
16. His presence made impossible for him to take the chance.
Predicative Complexes with the infinitive 95

Ex. I l l Translate into English and state the functions of the infinitives.

1. Он кивнул, чтобы я вошел.

2. Такой концерт неинтересно слушать в записи.
3. Чтобы ничего не объяснять, она повесила трубку.
4. Я думаю, ей будет приятно получить духи в качестве подарка на день рождения.
5. Это лекарство, которое нужно принять немедленно.
6. Она провела рукой по волосам, словно хотела поправить прическу.
7. Детям там совершенно нечего делать.
8. Софи умно поступила, что вовремя вложила деньги в новое предприятие.
9. Проблема заключалась в том, как ей все объяснить.
10. Они рассчитывают продать весь товар к ноябрю.
11. Я не мог противостоять соблазну купить такую хорошую вещь за такую низкую
цену.
12. Должно быть, он смог его переубедить.
13. Мама испекла пирог, чтобы мы съели его за ужином.
14. Зал недостаточно велик, чтобы вместить столько людей.
15. С этого удобно начинать.
16. Природа гор вдохновила композитора на написание новой симфонии.
17. Он прекратил навещать нас по выходным.
96 English Grammar Practice

THE OBJECTIVE INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTION

Ш The objective infinitive construction consists of
• a nominal element expressed by (1) a noun in the common case
(2) a personal pronoun in the objective case (me, him, them, etc.)
(3) some other pronoun (somebody, anyone, herself, etc.J
• a verbal element expressed by an infinitive or infinitive phrase.

These elements are in secondary subject-predicate relation13. Some grammarians prefer to say
that the infinitive has a subject of its own which describes the action or state of the nominal
element. Functionally, the elements of the construction form a syntactic complex - a complex
object.

They like

SUBJECT PREDICATE COMPLEX OBJECT

The following sentences illustrate the difference between an object and a complex object.
Compare:

(1) We want to stay. O

(2) We want YOU to stay. f
■Мы хотим остаться. = Мы хотим, чтобы ты остался.

In the first example the subject of the sentence - we - performs the actions expressed by the
predicate — want — and the infinitive — to stay. In the second sentence there are two agents: the
subject of the sentence - w e - and the nominal element within the construction - you. The second
agent-you -performs the action expressed by the infinitive. These elements form a complex object.

The example below may make things clearer. It also shows that there is always room for a new
approach to grammar (G)

I saw C^JUm pickallthebooksandputthem backonthetabjef)

13 The primary subject-predicate relation is the relation between the subject and the predicate of the sentence.
Predicative Complexes with the Infinitive 97
ffl The objective infinitive construction can be rendered into Russian by a subordinate clause, a
simple sentence, a noun phrase.

He heard Pavarotti sina.

= Он слышал, как пел Паваротти.

I made him revise the rule.

= Я заставила его повторить правило.

I'm counting on vou to help me.

= Я рассчитываю на вашу помощь.

f fl The objective infinitive construction is used after verbs of

1. sense perception: feel, hear, notice, observe, see, watch, etc. Only bare non-perfect infinitives
are used after the verbs of sense perception.
He felt a hand touch his shoulder.
= Он почувствовал, как рука дотронулась до его плеча.

IMPORTANT! After the verbs notice and see the objective infinitive construction is not used
with the verb be; in such cases we use either a clause or a different verb.

I sawhim to be pale -> I saw that he was pale.

-> I saw him grow become / ao / turn pale.

2. mental activity: think, believe, consider, expect, feel (= think / believe), find, imagine, know,
suppose, trust, etc. The constructions after these verbs are rather literary. Thot-clauses
are more common in current usage. After this group of verbs we can use any form of the
infinitive.

We know her to be proud. = We know that she is proud.

= Мы знаем, что она гордая.

I believe her to be watching TV now.

= Полагаю, что она сейчас смотрит телевизор.

We suppose the two airls to have left.

= Мы думаем, что эти две девушки уже ушли.

Jess found them to have been waiting at the station for hours.
=Джесс обнаружила, что они уже несколько часов ждали на станции.

I trust you to be elected chairman.

= Полагаю, что вас выберут председателем.
98 English Grammar Practice

They consider him to have been spoilt bv his loving parents.

= Они считают, что его разбаловали любящие родители.

! With the verbs consider, suppose, find and think the use of the infinitive to be is optional.
Everybody thinks / supposes / finds / considers him (to be) handsome.
= Все считают / находят его красивым.

3. feeling and emotion: (dis)like, love, hate, cannot bear etc.

She would have hated him to see how her hands shook.
= Она ни за что бы не захотела, чтобы он увидел, как у нее трясутся руки.

Не loved her to sina to him.

= Ему нравилось, когда она ему пела.

She could not bear John to be mocked at.

= Она не выносила, когда над Джоном потешались.

4. wish and intention: desire, choose, intend, mean, want, wish. As you see from the examples
below, there are no restrictions on the form of the infinitive.
We chose Paul to be chairperson.
= Мы предпочитаем, чтобы председателем был Пол.

I wished the books to be returned on time.

= Я хотел, чтобы книги вернули вовремя.

I meant vou to have arrived bv train.

= Я планировал, что ты приедешь поездом.

I want vou to be sitting auietlv for some while.

= Я хотела бы, чтобы вы тихонько посидели.

The writer clearly intends his readers to identify with the main character.
= Писатель несомненно хочет, чтобы читатели разделяли взгляд героя.

5. declaring: pronounce, declare, report. Any form of the infinitive can be used after these verbs.
He pronounced the country to be in a state of war.
= Он объявил, что страна находится в состоянии войны.

The doctor reported her to be making / to have made excellent progress.

= Врач сообщил, что она благополучно идет на поправку / поправилась.

The media reported him to have been aoina through the training for a month.
= Средства массовой информации сообщали, что он уже месяц тренируется.
Predicative Complexes with the Infinitive 99
The expert declared the painting to be / have been foraed.
= Эксперт объявил о том, что картина подделана.

6. compulsion and order: cause, order14, get, have and make.

The poor harvest caused the prices to rise sharply.
= Плохой урожай вызвал резкий подъем цен.

The verbs have and make in the active voice are followed by bare infinitives.
The last drop makes the c u d run over.
= Последняя капля переполняет терпение.

7. permission: allow14 and let. The verb let is followed by bare infinitives.
Don't let anyone interfere with what vou can do.
= He позволяйте никому мешать вам делать то, что вы можете.

8. The objective infinitive construction can also be used after some verbs requiring a prepositional
object: count on, listen to, rely on / upon.
He was listening to the chairman speak.
= Он слушал речь председателя.

These days we rely on computers to organize our work.

= В организации нашей работы мы сегодня полагаемся на компьютеры.

14 With the verbs order and allow, the construction is found either if
(a) the object is expressed by a noun / pronoun denoting a lifeless thing. Compare:
He allowed his mind to wander, [a complex object]
= Он позволил себе быть невнимательным.

Mother allowed Fred to join the soccer team, [two objects]

= Мама разрешила Фреду записаться в футбольную команду.
(b) the infinitive is passive.
He ordered the party to be taken to the hotel immediately.
= Он приказал немедленно отвезти компанию в гостиницу.
100 English Grammar Practice

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Translate into Russian and state the syntactic function of the predicative complexes.

A.
1. Let us change the subject.
2. He likes his staff to eat well and to be paid enough.
3. We got them to rebuild the house.
4. She made me change my clothes for dinner.
5. She expected me to have finished the book by then.
6. It is not safe for you to have such a dog.
7. I don't want that boy to be sent to prison for nothing.
8. The day is too hot for us to be out on the beach.
9. I hate her to criticize me the way she does. But I'd hate her to think that her criticism
hurts me, so I just keep quiet.
10. I thought it was a strange thing for you to have done. I'm glad it wasn't you.
11. Webster imagined himself to have made a very clever suggestion.
12. He had to watch his five children grow up without him.
13. His presence made it possible for me to avoid a quarrel.
14. I used to have my eye on her all the time in the old days, waiting for her to start something.

B.
1. Let the music play, let the voices sing, let's stay together to the end!
2. I believe you to have liked me for my own sake and for nothing else.
3. My father hated radio and could not wait for television to be invented so he could hate
that too.
4. After I'm dead I'd rather have people ask why I have no monument than why I have one.
5. The easiest way for your children to learn about money is for you not to have any.
6. About the time we think we can make ends meet, somebody moves the ends.
7. When you lose someone you love, you die too, and you wait around for your body to
catch up.
8. Fall is my favorite season in Los Angeles, I like to watch the birds change color and fall
from the trees.
9. Airplanes are like diets. They are wonderful things for other people to go on.
10. A lifetime is long enough for people to foul things up.
11. They reported her to have been planning the murder of her husband for two years.
12. Everything changes. But this fact is difficult for us to accept.
13. «When I use a word,» Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone. «It means just what
I choose it to mean — neither more or less.» «The question is,» said Alice, «whether you
can make words mean so many different things.»
14. A man likes his wife to be clever enough to understand his cleverness, and stupid enough
to admire it.
15. Die? I should say not, dear fellow. No Barrymore would allow such a conventional thing
to happen to him.
 ■eelicative Complexes with the Infinitive 101

Ex. 113 Open the brackets using the appropriate form of the infinitives.
1. I've never known a divorce (to do) any good.
2. I have to get my memory (to work), and it is like an old clock, rusty.
3. They believed the soldier (to take) unofficial leave.
4. Love doesn't make the world (to go) round, it makes the ride worthwhile.
5. I'll have someone (to come round) to look after the child while we are out.
6. He made no resistance but allowed himself (to shake) back and forwards.
7. The man who lets himself (to bore) is even worse than the bore.
8. He heard the door (to creak) and saw a shadow (to steal) intothe room.
9. We thought the worst rascals (to die out) already.
10. The burglars had the old lady (to show) them where she kept money.
11. They must be thankful for your advice. I believe it (to do) them a lot of good.
12. Do not always expect good (to happen), but do not let evil (to take) you by surprise.
13. The optimist proclaims us (to live) in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist
fears this is true.
14. There are people who make things (to happen), those who watch things (to happen) and
those who wonder what happened.
15. He used two sets of manners — one if he wanted people (to impress), the other if he
considered his listeners (to be unimportant).

Ex. 114 Complete the story using the verbs from the boxes. Specify the group each of the
verbs refers to.

allow, believed, felt, made, overheard, suppose, would hate, would think

While walking in the park Mrs Banks (1) two strangers say something about a
robbery. Mrs Banks___________ (2) a shiver pass her heart. The words_______________ (3) her hair
stand up in panic fear. However, she didn't_________________ (4) her feelings to be noticed. She
was at a loss. She didn't____________________ (5) anybody to believe her. She was afraid people
_________________ (6) her to have gone mad. She______________ (7) people to laugh at her.
The next day Mrs Banks almost______________ (8) the whole story to have been a bad dream.

claimed, expect, found, let, noticed, reported, wanted

But looking out of the window she__________________(9) the same men steal into her neighbors'
house. Mrs Banks didn't___________________ (10) herself hesitate any more. She called the police.
She didn't__________________ (11) the police to come so soon. Ten minutes later everything was
over. The evening news______________ (12) the burglars to have broken into the house in order to
steal precious jewellery. The mayor of the city_______________ (13) Mrs Banks to have acted like a
responsible citizen. However Mrs Banks didn't feel happy. She_______________ (14) the attention
of reporters and newsmakers to be too tiresome. She______________________ (15) the whole
story to be forgotten as soon as possible.
102 English Grammar Practice

Ex. 115 Make up sentences with complex objects.

1. everything, spring, filthy, makes, look.

2. you, feel, love, special, makes.

3. bygones, bygones, let, be.

4. what you can use, the rest, take, and let, go by.

5. a pessimistic general, win, a battle, never saw, 1.

6. to hear, sing, loves, each bird, himself.

7. to put big locks, you, want, the eyes of fear, on your door.

8. the best state, 1find, to live in, to be, loneliness.

9. for them, many people, the stars, believe, to rise and set.

10. forget summer, September, to have, tries its best, us.

11. deserves to be, who allows, he, himself, to be insulted.

12. others perceive, you, you are, only as wise as, to be.

13. make, respectable, economic forecasts, astrology, look.

Ex. 116 Construct the sentences using the elements in brackets in the appropriate form.

Model: I heard (she, to sing) -> I heard her sing.

Don't allow (you, to fool). Don't allow yourself to befooled.

1. Did he suppose (the story, to believe)?

2. I suddenly felt (she, to kiss) me on the cheek.
3. Art is a lie that makes (we, to realize) the truth.
4. The doctor ordered (the ward, to air).
5. I can't bear (he, to be alone) his first night home.
6. Don't let (you, to forget) what it's like to be sixteen.
7. I didn't mean (he, to follow) the instructions so blindly.
8. I know (the man, to be) a star boxer in his younger days.
Predicative Complexes wirh the inf.nit: 103
9. Marriage makes a housekeeper imagine (she, to be) a householder.
10. No woman should read beauty magazines. They only make (she, to feel) ugly.
11. Never write advertisements if you don't want (they, to read) by your own family.
12. Do put that telly down a bit. I can't hear (I, to think) in here.
13. He no doubt deserved his enemies, but I don't believe (he, to deserve) his friends.
14. He thought (he, to be) more intelligent than his chief.
15. Bishops move diagonally. That's why they often turn up where the kings don't expect
(they, to be).
16. A boss is a man who spends his time flattering, kissing and kicking people to get (they, to
do) what they are supposed to do anyway.
17. On the one hand, most people want (they, to save) from temptation, on the other hand,
they would like (it, to keep) in touch.

EX.1L7, Transform the sentences according to the model.

Model: People argue about trifles. — I hate... -> I hate people to argue about trifles.

1. Everybody should tell me the truth.

I want...
2. The future should never disturb you.
Never le t...
3. Our good deeds should live even after we die.
We would like...
4. When you are in anger your mouth works faster than your mind.
Anger makes...
5. It can't have happened! I can't believe it!
I can hardly believe ...
0. I am sure I am fit for the job.
I think...
7. Nobody should mislead the public. It doesn't like it.
The public doesn't like ...
8. The actions of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts.
I have always considered...
9. Well, sir, your words should be taken back.
I want...
10. Trees like when kids climb on them.
Trees like to have...
11. When you look at maps, anything seems possible.
Maps make...
104 English Grammar Practice

A philosopher will always contradict other philosophers.

You can always rely on...
13. The luggage should be labeled for Prague!
The passenger ordered...

[ э Я в д Я Paraphrase the following sentences using complex objects.

1. The earthquake measured only two. I just felt how my house shook.

2. People fail because they don't consider that their goals are achievable.

3. I want to go to New York and see how people suffer.

4. When we returned we found that the work had been done already.

5. Every generation imagines that it is more intelligent than the previous one.

6. Women in charge don't like when other women are in charge.

7. Do you suppose that love will last throughout all time?

8. A lot of people like snow. I find that it is an unnecessary freezing of water.

9. If I stay here I will just sit back and watch how the world goes by.

10. An optimist stays up to see how the New Year comes.

A pessimist stays up because he expects that the old year will leave.

11. My wife says I never listen to her. At least I think she said something like that.

12. If God had really intended that men should fly, he'd make it easier to get to the airport.

13. When you hear how your friend speaks in public, you may discover a new side to him.

14. Scientists reported that some dolphins learned English. However, they never reported
that any human being learned dolphenese.
Predicative Complexes with the Infinitive 105

Ex. 119 Find and correct the mistakes if there are any.

1. Do horses sing? 1have never heard a horse to sing a song.

2. A man is as old as he feels him to be.
3. If fate means you to lose, give it a good fight anyhow.
4. It's all right to have butterflies in your stomach. Just get them fly in formation.
5. 1saw it with my own eyes but 1still can't believe the miracle to happen.
6. 1have never known him tell a lie.
7. 1saw him to be proud of the place in which he lived.
8. We expect them to learn the truth already.
9. We think people sensible only if they are of our opinion.
10. The artist doesn't have time to listen to the critics to talk about his works.
11. 1have never heard anyone to have spoken an ill word of Stephanie.
12. If one door closes, don't look upon it too long. You may not notice another door to be
open for you.
13. You risk tears if you let yourself be tamed.
14. They report the expedition to collect invaluable materials while working in Siberia the
previous year.
15. 1saw many people to have died because they judged that life is not worth living.

Ш Translate the parts in brackets using complex objects.

1. I (подумал, что это был) the signal to start.

2. I (хочу, чтобы вы были) young, young all your life.
3. (Вы бы хотели, чтобы я дал) you a formula for success?
4. If you (ждете, чтобы люди вам доверяли), be trustworthy.
5. The fool (думает, что он мудр). The wise man (считает себя глупцом).
6. We (знали, что ключ от ящика стола был утерян) sometwenty years before.
7. The desire forfame (заставляет людей работать) hard and (не позволяет им почивать)
on their laurels.
8. If you (не хотите, чтобы кто-нибудь знал), don't do it.
9. (Начальник приказал, чтобы работа была завершена) by Monday.
10. The only way to entertain some folks is (слушать их разговоры).
11. (Пусть ветер всегда дует) in your back and (дорога всегда идет) downhillfor you!
12. I know a mother-in-law who sleeps with her glasses on (чтобы видеть, как ее зять
страдает) in her dreams.
13. (Плохие родители рассчитывают на то, что телевидение будет) a babysitter and the
only educator of their kids.
14. A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist (верит, что каждая
трудность дает нам возможность).
15. The most difficult thing in the world is to know how to do a thing and to (наблюдать, как
кто-то делает) it wrong.
16. If a man doesn't share the life of his time, we may (считать, что он и не жил).
106 English Grammar Practice

Translate the sentences using complex objects after the verbs provided.

1. В темных очках ты выглядишь загадочно. МАКЕ

2. Пусть кто-нибудь отнесет наверх его багаж! GET
3. Нам всегда кажется, что другие счастливее нас. BELIEVE
4. До сих пор еще не было случая, чтобы он меня подвел. KNOW
5. Он планировал, что это станет его последним выступлением. MEAN
6. Ей было плохо оттого, что он уезжает. CAN'T BEAR
7. Пусть он войдет. HAVE
8. Я надеюсь, ваш такт поможет нам достичь компромисса. RELY ON
9. ним никогда раньше такого не случалось. HAVE
10. Я увидел, что он гораздо моложе, чем я ожидал. FIND
11. Ваша поездка в Лондон не входила в наши намерения. INTEND
12. Постарайся ее разговорить. GET
13. Насколько я знаю, не было еще такого, чтобы это лекарство вызвало побочные
эффекты. KNOW
14. Он надеялся, что все произойдет без всяких усилий. EXPECT
15. Я не допущу, чтобы студенты рисовали на стенах колледжа. HAVE

Ex. 122 Translate into English.

1. Я думаю, это ваша вина.

2. Я спала и не слышала, как они ушли.
3. Я хочу, чтобы мы встретились еще раз.
4. Не позволяйте детям играть со спичками.
5. Я никогда не видела, как танцует Джейн Бак.
6. Я почувствовал, как у меня заколотилось сердце.
7. Я рассчитываю на то, что вы сдержите свое слово.
8. Я в жизни не слышал, чтобы он так много говорил.
9. Ненавижу, когда ты опаздываешь.
10. Она бы хотела, чтобы я навестила их в воскресенье.
11. Ей не нравилось, когда родственники ее провожали.
12. Я считаю, что это было несправедливо с вашей стороны.
13. Всегда есть тот, кто любит, и тот, кто позволяет себя любить.
14. Вы действительно надеетесь, что умный человек в это поверит?
15. Он наблюдал, как жена налила ему кофе и поставила чашку на стол.
16. Иногда совершенно незнакомым людям легко понять друг друга.
17. Никогда не встречал человека, который так много говорит по телефону.
18. Я бы хотел, чтобы это было сделано как можно тише.
19. Хорошая хозяйка всегда может сделать так, чтобы ее гости чувствовали себя как дома.
20. Вселенная полна неизвестных нам чудес, которые терпеливо ждут, когда люди
станут умнее.
 hjotivc Complexes with the Infinitiv 107

Ex. 123 Complete the following using complex objects.

1. In spring I like to listen to... and to watch...

2. A day-dreamer is a person who expects...
3. When the author writes a book, he imagines...
4. I hate public transport in the rush hour. I can't bear...
5. When a child is born, the parents want...
6. There is nothing more difficult than make...
7. If a stranger knocks on your door, never let...
8. If you have a true friend, you can always count on...

Match the parts of the sentences.

1. A compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way a man of catch his own breath.
that everyone believes wisdom
2. Books are like a mirror. If a fool looks in, you can't expect eight cats feel safe.
3. Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get themselves happen to you.
4. Friends seldom profit us but they make the reader to be.
5. The comma is not important. Let us to be happier.
6. You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful to have the biggest
things piece.
7. The most difficult thing to be is what other people want you to look out.
8. When others share your happiness, you think yourself to pull a sled through
snow.
108 English Grammar Practice

THE SUBJECTIVE INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTION

Q The subjective infinitive construction is a construction in which the verbal element - the infinitive
- is in secondary subject-predicate relation to the nominal element15. The nominal element can
be expressed by
• a noun in the common case,
• a pronoun in the nominative case (I, he, she, it,we, you, they),
• some other pronoun (everybody, some, there, etc).
The nominal element of the construction is the agent of two actions - that of the predicate —
was seen — and that of the infinitive — to disappear.

The boat was seen to disappear over the horizon.

Видели, как лодка исчезала за горизонтом.

ffl Any form of the infinitive can be found within the construction. Also note the ways the construction
is rendered into Russian.
Terrv is likely to know everything about it.
= Вероятно, Терри все об этом знает.

The building seemed to be rising at an incredible speed.

= Казалось, что здание растет с невероятной скоростью.

You are sure to have done it before.

= Вы, конечно же, делали это раньше.

Не appeared to have been using this car for a decade.

= Оказалось, что он использовал эту машину уже десять лет.

You are expected to be trained to do it.

= Ожидается, что вы должны быть подготовлены, чтобы делать это.

Не is known to have been elected chairman several times.

= Известно, что его избирали председателем несколько раз.

ffl The subjective infinitive construction can be used with the passive voice forms of certain groups
of verbs. They are
1. verbs of sense perception: see, watch, hear, feel.
She was soon heard to open the door.
= Вскоре услышали, как она открыла дверь.

15 The primary subject-predicate relation is the relation between the subject and the predicate of the sentence.
 -edicative Complexes with the Infinitive 109
2. verbs of mental activity: believe, consider, expect, find (=have opinion), know, mean, presume,
regard, suppose, think, understand.
The manuscript is believed to have been lost.
= Рукопись считается утерянной. / Считается, что рукопись утеряна.

3. verbs of saying: announce, declare, report, say, state, pronounce.

He is said to have made a brilliant speech at the meeting.
= Говорят, что он произнес блестящую речь на собрании.

4. the verb make (= to cause somebody or something to do something).

It was not his fault; he was made to do it.
= Он не виноват, его заставили сделать это.

Ш The construction can also be found after some intransitive verbs in the active voice: seem, appear,
chance, happen, prove, turn out.
He seemed to be reading mv thoughts.
= Казалось, он читал мои мысли.

I appeared to have been there before.

= Оказалось, что я раньше там бывал.

Do you happen to know his name?

= Вы, случайно, не знаете его имя?

Ш The subjective infinitive construction is used with the phrases: be (un)likely, be sure, be certain, be
definite.
She is definite to know it.
= Она, определенно, знает это.

The report is likely to be presented tomorrow.

= Доклад, вероятно, представят завтра.

Щ Views differ regarding the function of the construction in the sentence. Some grammarians
theorize that, functionally, the elements of the construction form a syntactic complex - a complex
subject. Others would argue that the elements of the subjective infinitive construction do not
serve as one part of the sentence. In theirviewthe nominal part of the construction is the subject
of the sentence and the infinitive is part of a compound verbal predicate.16This phenomenon is
open to interpretation. You are free to support either point of view.

16 See T H E IN F IN IT IV E A S P A R T O F A CO M P O U N D V E R B A L P R E D IC A T E
110 English Grammar Practice

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

П г Ж И Я Translate into Russian and state the syntactic function of the predicative complexes.

A.
1. She happened to be near at the moment.
2. The house is believed to be haunted.
3. The weather seems to be improving.
4. She was likely to forget it quite soon.
5. He was understood to have left for Canada.
6. I watched the sun rise.
7. The sun was watched to rise.
8. Much pastry seemed to have clouded the boy's mind.
9. It's difficult for unskilled people to find work these days.
10. He appeared to have been deceived.
11. I chanced to notice her.
12. Vicky heard someone close the door.
13. He was rumoured to be writing a new book.
14. The shop provides baskets for the customers to put their purchases in.
15. Everybody expected him to marry at the end of the month.
16. She seemed to have been living on nothing but cake and sweets for three days.

B.
1. Music is well said to be the speech of angels.
2. All appears to change when we change.
3. California is a fine place to live — if you happen to be an orange.
4. I don't believe that life is supposed to make you feel good, or make youfeel miserable
either. Life is just supposed to make you feel.
5. Eat before shopping. If you go to the store hungry, you are likely to make unnecessary
purchases.
6. Never regret something that once made you smile.
7. A new epidemic of Google mania is reported to have been sweeping the world for the
past five years.
8. It isn't easy for an idea to squeeze itself into a head filled with prejudice.
9. If the person you are talking to doesn't appear to be listening, be patient. Itmay simply
be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.
10. Say all you have to say in the fewest possible words, or your reader will be sure to skip
them and in the plainest possible words or he will be certain to misunderstand them.
11. Life is meant to be enjoyed, not endured.
12. Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have
kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.
13. Everybody knows if you are too careful you are so occupied in being careful that you are
sure to stumble over something.
Predicative Complexes with the infinitive 111
14. If you want your life to be more rewarding, you have to change the way you think.
15. When a book is greatly admired and often read, the language in which it is written is
likely to be imitated to some extent by those who read it.

Ex. 126 Open the brackets using the appropriate form of the infinitive.

1. He proved (to be) a very experienced worker.

2. He was seen (to cross) the street and (to turn) round the corner.
3. 1rang the bell and the man answered; he seemed (to wait) for it to ring.
4. He was made (to eat) a Chester cake and was spoken to in a slightly more Edinburgh way
than usual.
5. The man appears (to know) practically all European languages; he is said (to learn) them
while travelling.
6. The river was reported (to overflow) the banks and (to advance) towards the suburbs of
the city.
7. They are likely (to forget) us soon.
8. We don't seem (to acquaint), at least 1can't remember you.
9. The Island of Britain is known (to reveal) to the Roman world by Julius Caesar in the year
55 B.C.
10. You have worked hard. The teacher is sure (to satisfy) with your report.
11. In the middle of the lecture Dr. Sommerville happened (to pause) and (to look) out of
the window.
12. They all turned out (to become) good fighters.
13. My brother is certain (to arrive) the day after tomorrow.
14. Latin was supposed (to be) the only language worth of study, and it was studied for
practical purpose.
15. She was announced (to be) the winner.

Paraphrase the following sentences according to the model.

odel: It is known that he is a great book-lover.

He is known to be a great book-lover.
1. It was understood that the parties had come to an agreement.
2. It is supposed that the playwright is working at a new comedy.
3. Everybody knows Bernard Shaw to have been a witty person.
4. They say that she is the best teacher at our school.
5. It is believed that John has arrived in Venice.
6. Nobody saw him slip the top-secret file into his briefcase.
7. People reported that the discussion had been tough.
8. It is announced that the Polish dancers are arriving next week.
9. Everybody heard him say that in so many words.
112 English Grammar Practice

10. It is thought that the prisoner escaped by climbing over the wall.
11. Nobody expected her to write often, for everyone knew that letter-writing came difficult
to her.
12. People consider the climate there to be very healthful.
13. It has been found that this mineral water is very good for the liver.
14. People presume the recommendations are radical.
15. Nothing could make him understand the situation.

Ex. 128 Transform the sentences according to the model.

Model: It appears that she knows everything about it.

She appears to know everything about it.
1. It seemed that the discussion was coming to an end.
2. It is likely that the ship will arrive tonight.
3. It so happened that they missed the five o'clock train.
4. It turned out that the way we took was the longest one.
5. When she passed by it appeared that they looked at her attentively.
6. It was certain that they would come to an understanding.
7. It seemed that she had never tasted this fruit.
8. Surely a washing machine in the house will save a lot of time and effort.
9. It was unlikely that this wet weather would keep long.
10. It proved that my prediction was correct.
11. It turned out that the language of the article was quite easy.
12. It is sure that they will come to London.
13. It is definite that they will be here on Monday.
14. Do you, by any chance, know where I can find him?
15. It doesn't seem that customers are served here properly.

Я Paraphrase the following with the help of the verbs or expressions in brackets so as to
H use subjective infinitive constructions.

1. He is the best candidate to the post, (to consider)

2. The truth will come out. (to be sure)
3. The negotiations are reaching a decisive stage, (to say)
4. This part of land was once under the sea. (to believe)
5. Our ways never crossed, (to happen)
6. I don't think the answer will please him. (to be likely)
7. Their headquarters were a one-room flat, (to turn out)
8. My fears were groundless, (to prove)
9. This test was to be the final one. (to suppose)
10. The company will be touring the country in the summer, (to announce)
 ediicative Complexes with the Infinitive 113
11. One could see that she was in high spirits, (to appear)
12. The man's mind was working with extraordinary freedom,(to seem)
13. The morning sun has more ultra-violet rays, (to find)
14. The air was growing colder, (to feel)
15. I would not have agreed to it but for the circumstances,(to make)

Ex. 130 Use your ideas to complete the sentences with infinitives in the correct form.

1. The parties are reported ... the problem.

2. They seemed ... this fact already.
3. Lake Baikal is said ... the deepest lake in the world.
4. The parties are understood ... an agreement.
5. They are very likely ... part in this work.
6. This plant seems ... such equipment since 1965.
7. He always appears ... so helpful, so considerate.
8. The results of the test seemed ... them.
9. I happened ... my office early that day.
10. She seemed ... for a long time.
11. After the crash the engine was found ... intact.
12. They seem ... a good time at the seaside.

Ц Complete the sentences with suitable words.

1. They... to be getting on a bit better.

2. He ... to have gained all he wanted.
3. He ... to make a speech there and he wanted me to hear it.
4. She ... to breathe heavily.
5. The experiment... to be a success.
6. It ... to have been raining ever since we came here.
7. He ... to be one of the best students at our faculty.
8. Susan is ill. She ... to be absent for another week.
9. He ... to marry her.
10. We ... to have been flying over the sea for quite a time and there is yet no land to see.

Ex. 132 1 Find and correct the mistakes if there are any.

l. At one time the earth was believed to have been flat.

2. He appeared to be losing patience.
3. Charlie Chaplin is said to have been a great comedian.
4. She is understood to be arriving later today.
5. They are certain to take the risk.
114 English Grammar Practice

6. The flood is reported to not have caused much damage to the crop.
7. Some proposals are thought to have dropped.
8. The house was seemed not to have been lived in for a long time.
9. I happened to have seen them at the theatre.
10. Her retirement was rather a tragedy; she was made retire before time.
11. His pockets turned up to contain nothing except a packet of Turkish cigarettes, which he
usually smoked.
12. Money not happen to interest me.
13. The dictionary seems to belong to my grandfather. It appears to be published ages ago.
14. Would Soames be sure to tell him about this if he didn't ask him?
15. She is unlikely not to change her opinion.

Ex. 133 Translate the fragments into English.

1. He is said (что он был) a sailor in his youth.

2. 1looked at the house with suspicious curiosity, and it seemed (что он смотрит) at me.
3. The boy was made (повторить) his story twice.
4. She didn't seem (заметила) his unfriendly tone.
5. The number to which 1had been directed turned out (был) a house standing a little by
itself, with its back to the river.
6. «He appears (заснул), my lady,» said the butler.
7. Lady Franklin seemed (ждет) an answer.
8. The poem is believed (было написано) by an unknown soldier.
9. Professor Lee was expected (присоединится) the expedition in North Africa, but he had
fallen ill.
10. He was heard (как он сказал) that it would rain and ordered the door to the balcony to
be shut.
11. Three men are said (были арестованы) after the explosion.
12. He seems (собирает) stamps since he was a boy.
13. He didn't appear (слышал) what had been said.
14. Everything is sure (будет) all right.
15. Laughter is said (излечивает) anything.

Ex. 134 | Translate the sentences into English.

1. Говорят, что он лучший доктор в нашем городе.

2. Видели, как он перевернул страницу и начал читать.
3. Слышали, что он вскоре поднялся наверх.
4. По-видимому, он не собирается стать врачом.
5. Предполагалось, что мы встретимся в шесть часов около
6. С того времени вы, кажется, не сильно изменились.
7. Его заставили обратиться к врачу.
 kavve Complexes with the Infinitive 115
8. Известно, что Христофор Колумб открыл Америку.
9. Я случайно услышала последнюю фразу, сказанную вами.
10. Она, кажется, разучивает упражнения на пианино все утро.
11. Я хотел, чтобы он пошел домой вместе со мной, но он отказывался.
12. Они сказали, что подобное вряд ли случится дважды.
13. Я не знала, что эту информацию предполагалось держать в секрете.
14. Оказывается, он ничего об этом не слышал.
15. Здесь нет никого, с кем мог бы поиграть ребенок.
16. Ожидают, что он не будет возражать.
17. Считается, что этот дом был построен около двухсот лет назад.
18. Подтвердилось, что он прав.
19. Все понимают, что Ломоносов был самым крупным ученым своего времени.
20. Выяснилось, что они настоящие друзья.
21. Если вы случайно встретите его, скажите ему, что он мне очень нужен.
22. Сообщалось, что космический корабль благополучно приземлился.
23. Родители всегда хотят, чтобы их дети выросли честными людьми.

Ex. 135 Read these extracts from an interview with someone who has returned to their home
town after living abroad for nearly twenty years. Complete this story with ideas of
your own, using subjective infinitive constructions.

I've only been back a couple of days and already I've met lots of old friends. They don't seem to have
changed very much — they're as friendly as ever...

As far as the place itself is concerned, it definitely appears to be a more prosperous, lively place than
it was when I left...
to see to know to report to prove
to hear to mean to say to turn out
to believe to suppose to make to happen
to consider to think to seem to be likely
to expect to understand to appear to be sure
116 English Grammar Practice

MISCELLANEOUS PRACTICE
State the functions of the infinitives in the following sentences.
1. The only thing she could do was to give advice.
2. We used to spend a lot of time in a Greek club.
3. They planned to spend their two weeks' summer holiday in London.
4. I'd better come round and see what I can do for you.
5. He had other things to think of.
6. It is depressing to read about depression.
7. I know I ought not to have come here.
8. He was too timid to speak.
9. He was not the man to take back the offer he had made.
10. Do you want me to read to you?
11. His boots stood in front of the fire to warm.
12. The horse was quiet to ride.
13. "We are very sorry to have disturbed you," began Peter.
14. He began to describe in detail the beauties of the picture.
15. To dine there on a June evening was a delight.
16. I don't think I look strong enough to drag a baby up the mountain.
17. Well, funny things seem to be happening here.
18. Everybody lives for something better to come.

Ex. 137 Choose the appropriate form of the infinitive in brackets.

1. He must (to read) something funny; he is smiling all the time.

a) to have read c) to be read
b) be reading d) have been reading

2. They seemed (to learn) the news; they looked excited.

a) to have been learnt c) to learn
b) to have learnt d) be learning

3 .1 am glad (to introduce) to you.

a) be introduced c) to be introduced
b) to have been introducing d) to introduce

4. This book is said (to sell) out already.

a) to be selling c) have been sold
b) to have been sold d) sell
5. Look how animated they are! It must be nice (to dance) like that.
a) to be dancing c) be dancing
b) to have been danced d) to be danced
 ve Complexes with the Infin Hive 117

6 .1 am sorry (to disappoint) you but I did not mean anything of the kind.
a) have been disappointed c) to disappoint
b) to have disappointed d) disappoint

7. He is happy (to award) the first Landscape Prize for his picture.
a) to have been awarded c) to be awarding
b) to award d) be awarding

8. He was anxious (to take) the first place in the figure skating competition.
a) to have been taken c) to have taken
b) to be taken d) to take

9. The poem can (to memorize) easily.

a) to be memorized c) to memorize
b) be memorized d) memorize

10. This poem is easy (to memorize).

a) to be memorized c) to memorize
b) be memorized d) memorize

11.1 meant (to ask) you about it long ago but I had no opportunity.
a) to have asked c) have asked
b) ask d) to be asked

12.1 did not expect (to ask) this question.

a) to be asked c) to have asked
b) be asked d) have asked

13. Don't you worry about him, he is sure (to have) a good time at the moment.
a) to have c) to be having
b) to have had d) be having

14. Why (to go) into that matter at all?

a) to go c) to have been gone
b) go d) have been gone

15. Some girls are catty and difficult (to live) with.
a) to live c) to have lived
b) be lived d) to be lived

16. The teacher expected him (to give) a better answer at the examination.
a) to be giving c) have given
b) have been given d) to have given
118 English Grammar Practice

17. They are supposed (to experiment) in this field for about a year and are believed
(to achieve) good results.
a) to have been experimented, to achieve c) to experiment, to be achieving
b) have been experimenting, to have d) to have been experimenting, to have
achieved achieved

18. There were so many things (to do), so many experiments (to try).
a) to do, to try c) to have done, to have tried
b) do, try d) to be doing, to be trying

19. This man must (to sit) here for about an hour. Who can he (to wait) for?
a) be sitting, be waiting c) have been sitting, be waiting
b) to sit, to be waited d) have sat, be waiting

20. Her mood seems (to change) for the worse. We had better not (to speak) to her now.
a) to have changed, speak c) to change, to speak
b) to have been changed, have spoken d) have been changing, speak

21. The first thing (to do) was (to get) somebody (to take) the luggage to the station.
a) to do, to get, take c) to have been doing, to get, to take
b) to be done, to get, to take d) be done, to get, take

22. The box was (to handle) with care. You should (to ask) someone (to help) you. This might
not (to happen).
a) to be handled, ask, to help, c) to have handled, have asked, help,
have happened happen
b) to have been handled, have asked, d) to handle, ask, to help, happen
to help, have happened

Ex. 138 Replace what is given in bold type by infinitive phrases.

1. The house which will be built here is designed for the workers of our plant.
2. 1am glad that 1was able to assist you.
3. He was so astonished that he could not speak.
4. 1left the window open that 1might hear the music.
5. How thoughtful it was of him that he had sent me the souvenirs.
6. She looked quickly at him as though she wanted to ask him for an explanation.
7. He came there and was told that he might as well not have come at all.
8. The lecture was interesting, and the students kept quiet lest they should miss a word.
9. My idea is that we should make a stop there for one or two days on our way back.
10. There was nothing in the article that might interest him.
11. She read her composition a third time for fear that she might overlook a mistake.
12. It made me feel sad when 1saw him in distress.
■са:сп:->уе Complexes with the Infinitive_____________________________________________________ 119

13. 1went back to the stern and showed her how she should hold the oar.
14. My younger sister is the kind of person who makes a party go with a swing!

Translate the fragments into English using infinitives.

1. 1am glad (что узнал правду).

2. This question was too complicated (чтобы она могла решить) it by herself.
3. He is not such a person (от которого можно ожидать помощи).
4. Children (кажется, уже забыли) about that sad event.
5. You (следовало бы предупредить) me beforehand. Now 1am in an awkward situation.
6. Do you remember who (первый вошел в) the room?
7. You heard (как он сказал) that.
8. He knew that his presence was obligatory but he couldn't (заставить себя войти).
9. 1kept silent as 1(нечего было сказать).
10. He (должно быть, читал) this novel not long ago. He remembers a lot of details.
11. 1would rather (сделала) Christmas shopping last week, now 1don't have time.
12. We pretended (что не заметили) his mistake (чтобы не смущать) him.
13. Не turned to me (как будто хотел попросить меня) to repeat my question.
14. Helen reached the hospital (и нашла) her brother a little better than when she had last
seen him.

Ex. 140 A 1 Translate into English and state the function of the infinitives.

1. Я буду счастлива путешествовать.

2. Она собрала недостаточно денег, чтобы поехать в путешествие.
3. Эту страну было бы интересно посетить.
4. Я, пожалуй, поеду в эту страну.
5. Она отправилась путешествовать и вскоре поняла, что не может долго жить без
родных мест.
6. Я хочу путешествовать.
7. Путешествовать по разным странам интересно.
8. У меня есть мечта путешествовать каждый год.
9. По правде говоря, она собирала деньги, чтобы поехать в путешествие.
10. Мы надеялись поехать в путешествие, но не смогли себе это позволить.
11. Моя мечта — путешествовать каждый год по разным странам.
12. Она бы предпочла путешествовать, чем жить на даче все лето.
13. Он начал путешествовать с 15 лет.
14. Она взяла с собой четыре чемодана, словно хотела остаться в Вене на все лето.
15. Он первым прочитал эти книги.
120 English Grammar Practice

[T B T T jT * Translate into English and state the function of the infinitive predicative constructions.
1. Я хочу, чтобы ты зашел к нам сегодня вечером.
2. Я видел, как ты вернулся.
3. Видели, что он вернулся домой.
4. Сообщают, что он уже вернулся в страну.
5. Кажется, он не вернется сегодня.
6. Мы случайно встретили его на вокзале.
7. Он сделал все, для того чтобы она была счастлива.
8. Его единственное желание — чтобы она была счастлива.
9. Самое лучшее было бы вам не видеться некоторое время.
10. Я был рад, что ты пришел.
11. Он заставил меня пойти с ним.
12. Он не такой человек, на которого ты можешь положиться.
13. Практически не было ничего, что бы я мог сделать, чтобы помочь им.
14. Было невероятно, что мы смогли увидеться перед его отъездом.

***

ПгЯГСУЯ Translate the following sentences into Russian. Comment on the use of the infinitives.

1. A problem is a chance for you to do your best.

2. To live long, it is necessary to live slowly.
3. I would rather not know how to write and have something to say than know how to
write and have nothing to say.
4. To do two things at once is to do neither.
Б. Old wood is the best to burn, old wine is the best to drink, old friends are the best to
trust, and old authors are the best to read.
6. People may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
7. Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in the daytime and too sleepy to worry at
night.
8. It usually takes a long time to find a shorter way.
9. Many things have fallen only to rise higher.
10. As if to put the icing on the cake, the bank announced about bonuses to employees.
11. If you make it plain you like people, it's hard for them to resist liking you back.
12. In a world where there is so much to be done, I felt strongly impressed that there must
be something for me to do.
13. The spoken word has ceased to be a vehicle, only to become an obstacle.
14. In order for people to be happy, sometimes they have to take risks.
15. Any fool can tell the truth, but it requires a man of some sense to know how to lie well.
16. The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago, had they happened
to be within reach of predatory human hands.
■■'cdtcarive Complexes with the Infinitive_____________________________________________________ 121

Ex. 142 Complete the sentences by using an infinitive in the appropriate form.

1. That man seems trouble with his car. Why don't you give him a push?
2. Mr. Roberts is much too old climbing like he used to.
3. Before the interview 1was required an aoDlication form.
4. 1am sorry you. 1 shouldn't have called vou so late.
5. Let me be the first vou on vour remarkable success.
6. He savs he would rather bv train to London than
his mother's old car. It broke down on the highway.
7. 1always used to as a child.
8. Harrv oueht the highest score bv the officials.
He got offended that his freestyle programme had been underestimated.
9. She hoDed a holiday. But she had to work for another 2 months.
10. It is imoortant for not under too much stress.
11. This exercise isn't easy
12. The Milsons planned on a Mediterranean
cruise but it was not to be.
13. The hiiackers are said . That is whv all the airports
in the area are on the alert.
14. The robbers are hiding in an emotv building.
15. The oarents felt her uoset to learn about their attitude.
16. He found it a lot harder inspiration from that kind of music.
17. Mr. Burton had his son off the light and to bed.

Ex. 143 A Paraphrase the following sentences using infinitives.

1. Passing by a shop he suddenly remembered that he should buy some CDs.

2. He waved his hands as if he wanted to express his intense distaste.
3. The man was not the one who could think rapidly.
4. He prefers enjoying the delights of the parks to covering obvious attractions in the crowd
of people.
5. Later in the evening they went to the club and were joined by the young artist they had
met at the studio.
6. I rose so that I could receive my guests.
7. If you saw the town, you would never believe that it was raised from ruins.
8. It made our mouths water when we heard him talk about such tasty things.
9. There are a great many things which should be taken into consideration.
10. He didn't allude to a mystery in his past — he was careful that way.
11. He must have been very tired if he came and fell asleep like that.
122 English Grammar Practice

Ex. 143 В 1 Paraphrase the following sentences using predicative constructions with the infinitive.

1. People believe aromatherapy can relieve stress.

2. Lanny watched how Mabel went away.
3. 1want that you should tell me what you know of the East End.
4. He waited till she would speak but it seemed that her answer would never come.
5. The best thing Lanny could do was clear: he should get out of there.
6. It seems that he is satisfied to be doing nothing.
7. The expedition was too much long; 1wasn't able to do it.
8. He saw how it fell, he heard how it struck the pavement.
9. Everybody believes that the burglar entered the house through an open window.
10. It was not unusual that dinner parties would end in that way.
11. It was supposed that 1should be working towards my A-levels.
12. It turns out that Mr. Major's political judgment is faulty.
13. The wind was so strong that we could not go outside.
14. It is certain that the Tories will win every future election.
15. They report that four people have been injured.
16. Experts think that the polar ice caps are melting.

Ш Paraphrase the underlined parts using infinitives or the predicative constructions

with infinitives. The first is done for you.

a) When people sav that tourism is a major threat to the environment, this is no exaggeration.
-> To sav that tourism is a major threat to the environment is no exaggeration.
b) Nobody nowadays can hope that they can visit a famous 'sight' without being part of a
huge crowd.
c) It is a rare pleasure indeed if you find a deserted beach.
d) And when you see the enormous crowds of tourists who come to Venice because they
want to see the most romantic place in the world, you wonder how that great city has
not already sunk into the sea.
e) It would be foolish if anv of us imagined that we can stop people wanting to travel.
f) If we do nothing about this, there will soon be nothing left that we can preserve.
g) But we urgently need measures that will protect both historic buildings and the countryside.
h) One possible solution is that governments should set up new bureaucracies with armies
of officials who could direct visitors to 'suitable' sights.
i) Another possibility, that we should rely on the price mechanism, would probably be simpler,
j) People will just have to pay more if they want to see the more popular tourist attractions,
k) Already some English cathedrals charge tourists admission — so that they can repair
some of the damage caused by trampling feet and wet breath.
I) Serious tourists would not be the only ones who would benefit from smaller crowds,
m) The local people who live in or near these places would be happier if their towns were
not overrun.
n) If we do not act soon, we shall wake up one day and find it is too late.
 aiexes with the infinitive 123

Find and correct the mistakes if there are any.

1. It was raining hard, we had no umbrellas, and, to do things worse, we missed the last
bus and had to walk home.
2. Man spent 7 years solving the jigsaw puzzle — only to have found one piece missing!
3. A man does not have to be an angel so that to be a saint.
4. Even sheep should have such brains not to follow the wolf.
5. Gifts allow us demonstrate exactly how little we know about a person.
6. The important thing is to know when to smile.
7. He hoped to win the trophy back but his rival was much stronger.
8. Mr. Hutton found very difficult to distinguish what she was saying.
9. "Get someone put all these things back in their places", Lord Badgery commanded.
10. Why not to invite him to do some reviewing?
11. She leaned forward, aimed, so to speak, like a gun, and fired her words.
12. The secretary was to remind them of our departure time but she didn't.
13. He saw his son to leap over the net and shake hands with the American champion whom
he had just defeated.
14. A badly-paid job is always easy to give it up.

Translate the fragments into English, using infinitives.

1. I (не мог не рассказать) him everything about the past two months.
2. An onion can (заставить людей плакать), but there isn't s a vegetable (чтобы заставить
их смеяться).
3. Не (казалось, что пробежал) all the way. Не was completely out of breath.
4. They (кажется, еще не уехали). Look, there's light on in the house.
5. His telephone number (легко запомнить).
6. I (случайно повернул) the wrong turn and, (нет нужды говорить), I got lost.
7. There was (нечего делать, как только ждать) for the next express, which was due at
four.
8. Tom who lived farthest of all (ушел первым).
9. Every time you open your mouth you (позволяешь людям взглянуть) into your mind.
10. He (думал в его власти нанимать) the employees he wanted.
11. (Слышали, как она сказала) that none of them can be trusted.
12. He (не мог себе позволить купить) this rare book.
13. The railway (которая будет открыта) this year will connect distant regions with many
industrious centres.
14. (Послушать, как он рассуждает), you can think that he has lived a long life.
124 English Grammar Practice

У И Translate into English.

1. Известно, что Британия полна волнующих мест, которые стоит посетить, и

великолепных замков, где историю можно проследить вплоть до норманнских
времен.
2. Я хочу, чтобы мы побродили по сонным деревушкам и насладились сельским
ландшафтом.
3. Дувр с его белыми утесами, несомненно, прослужит воротами в Англию еще
2000 лет.
4. Городская жизнь меня слишком мало привлекает, чтобы я захотел жить в столице.
5. Кажется, что маленькие, изящные деревушки и оживленные города соревнуются
за внимание туристов.
6. Сообщается, что союзные войска захватили более 300 солдат противника.
7. Я была сильно впечатлена, когда увидела Озерный край, с его ошеломляющим
сочетанием гор и озер.
8. Посещение Стоунхенджа было одним из самых ярких моментов поездки.
9. Быть в Глазго — это значит быть в культурной столице Шотландии с его полными
веселья фестивалями, пользующимися мировой известностью.
10. Валлийцы взяли себе за правило создавать хор в каждой деревушке.
11. Я был пленен, увидев этот захватывающий дух вид.
12. Он был единственным, кто посетил Эмпайр Стейт Билдинг — известную
достопримечательность (исторический памятник) на нью-йоркском небосклоне.
13. Мы остановились, чтобы полюбоваться видом.
14. У меня мечта посетить Кардиф, столицу Уэльса, и насладиться богатой палитрой
культуры и истории.
15. Говорят, этот город был построен как римское поселение и с ранних времен служил
торговым центром для близлежащих районов.
16. Мы намеревались посетить военный парад в Эдинбурге, но мы приехали слишком
поздно, чтобы купить билеты.
17. В Лондоне так многое нужно увидеть, что необходимо тщательно спланировать
свой день.
Predicative Complexes with the infinitive 125

Choose the right variants.

1. What forms of the infinitive show that the action is postferior to that of the predicate?
a) the indefinite infinitive b) the perfect infinitive c);the continuous infinitive

2. What forms of the infinitive show that the action refers to no particular time?
a) non-perfect forms b) perfect forms

3. The category of aspect is revealed in the opposition of

a) common and continuous b) non-perfect and perfect c) active and passive forms
forms forms

4. What forms of the infinitive show that the subject is acted upon?
a) active forms b) passive forms

5. In which of the following examples is the active infinitive used in its passive meaning?
a) He is difficult to persuade, b) He is brave to say this.

6. In what function the infinitive is always active in form but passive in its meaning?
a) object b) part of a predicative c) predicative

7. The infinitive without TO is called

a) the split infinitive b) the bare infinitive

8. Which sentence pattern with the infinitive in the function of a subject is characteristic of everyday
language?
a) the infinitive subject is introduced b) the infinitive subject is placed first
by a formal subject IT

9. The predicate of an infinitive subject takes the form of

a) the third person singular b) the third person plural
 126 English Grammar Practice

10. A predicative is part of a

a) compound verbal modal b) compound verbal aspect c) compound nominal predicate
predicate predicate

11. The infinitive in the function of part of a predicative follows:

a) adjectives and nouns b) link verbs c) modal verbs

12. In compound verbal modal predicates the structural part can be expressed by
a) link verbs b) aspect verbs c) modal verbs and modal expressions

13. In compound verbal aspect predicates the structural part can be expressed by
a) link verbs b) aspect verbs c) modal verbs and modal expressions

14. In compound nominal predicates the structural part can be expressed by

a) link verbs b) aspect verbs c) modal verbs and modal expressions

15. Perfect infinitives in the function of an object express unfulfilled action^ after
a) attempt, expect, hope, intend, mean, plan, try b) claim, fail, hate, like, omit, swear

16. In which of the following sentences is the infinitive used in the function of an object?
a) It is difficult to believe her. c) He is difficult to persuade.
b) He thought it difficult to believe her. d) He is brave to say this.

17. The infinitive can NOT be used in the function of an attribute after
a) class or abstract nouns c) adverbs e) ordinal numerals
b) pronouns d) verbs f) expressions of quantity

18. In which of the following sentences is the infinitive used in the function of an object?
a) I advised him to read more. с) I like to read books.
b) Here is a book to read on your way back. d) He reads books to become clever.

19. What forms of the infinitive are mainly used in the function of adverbials?
a) indefinite forms c) perfect forms
b) continuous forms d) perfect continuous forms
20. In which of the following sentence is the infinitive used in the function of an adverbial of purpose?
a) He is so clever as to follow their advice. b) He did everything so as to follow their advice.

21. The objective infinitive construction is a construction in which the infinitive is in predicate relation
to the nominal element expressed by

a) a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case

b) a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the nominative case

22. The subjective infinitive construction is a construction in which the infinitive is in predicate relation
to the nominal element expressed by

a) a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case

b) a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the nominative case

23. The for-to-infinitive construction is a construction in which the infinitive is in predicate relation to
the nominal element expressed by

a) a noun in thetommon case or a pronoun in the objective case introduced by the preposition FOR
b) a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the nominative case introduced by the preposition FOR

24. In which of the following sentences is the infinitive used in the for-to-infinitive construction?

a) To speak about this was impossible for her.

b) It was impossible for her to speak about this. .
c) The impossible thing for her was to speak about this.
128 English Grammar Practice

THE SYNTACTIC FUNCTIONS OF THE INFINITIVE, SHORT AND EASY

FUNCTION SENTENCE PATTERN FORM PECULIARITIES

SUBJECT Pattern 1. In pattern 1 the infinitive subject is
To love and be loved is to feel the placed first.
sun from both sides. In pattern 2 the infinitive subject is in­
any form troduced by a formal subject IT.
Pattern 2. of the
It is Dossible to store the m ind with infinitive Affirmative and negative sentences
a million facts and still be entirely follow either pattern 1 or pattern 2.
uneducated. Interrogative sentences follow
Was it fu n to skate? pattern 2.
PREDICATIVE Her dream is to love and to be loved. non-perfect Infinitives follow link verbs - mainly
The problem was w hat to tell Alice common the verb BE - within compound nomi­
and w here to ao. active/passive nal predicates.
PART OF I l l M v aoal is easv to achieve. non-perfect Infinitives follow (1) adjectives or (2)
A PREDICATIVE 121 Mv arannv is fun to talk to. common nouns. Infinitives are active in form
active but passive in meaning.
PART OF (1) He said he might do it. Infinitives follow modal verbs or
any form
A COMPOUND (21 He mav have done it. expressions. The time reference can
of the
VERBAL MODAL It should have been done. be shown by (1) the modal verb or (2)
infinitive
PREDICATE the form of the infinitive.
PART OF Ted beaan to do it reaularlv. Infinitives are used after aspect verbs:
A COMPOUND 1continued to dream about it. non-perfect begin, start, com m ence, come
VERBAL We discussed the news and w ent common (=begin), u sed to, cease, continue,
ASPECT on to oiav aolf. active go on (=start doing smt after
PREDICATE 1 used to Diav cricket as a boy. com pleting smt else).
OBJECT 1. He hoDed to have been taken to Infinitives are used after
the Zoo. 1. verbs/phrases that take 1 object
2. We Dersuaded him to leave. 2. verbs that take 2 objects.
3. 1 w as haoDV to have visited vou. any form 3. adjectives/participles II after link
• He m ade IT a rule to ioin us at of the verbs be, seem , feel, etc.
lunch. infinitive • Infinitives can be introduce by IT
• He did not know what to sav and + a noun / adjective.

how to act. • After som e verbs infinitives are

used in conjunctive phrases.

ATTRIBUTE 1. 1 had a desire to be sittina alone. Infinitives modify:

2. This paper is the one to have 1 .class and abstract nouns
been edited. 2. noun-substitute one
3. We all need som eone to love. any form 3. pronouns
4. He had now here to ao. of the 4. adverbs now here, som ew here
5. Who is the next to be fired? infinitive 5. ordinal num erals and the words
fi. There was a lo t to sav / be said. the last, the next
6. expressions o f quantity: a great
d e a l of, enough, few , little, plenty,
no m ore, m any, m uch.
Predicative Complexes with the Infinitive 129

ADVERBIAL OF
purpose We do SDorts to relax. Infinitives may be introduced by SO
She arrived In o r d e r / s o as to be AS or IN ORD ER. The conjunctions
with us. are common with
I'm leavina in o rd er / s o as not to • stative verbs [be, have, know )
m iss the train. • negative infinitives.
result / (1) / was too tired to dance. Infinitives follow
consequence 1 work too slow lv to h e b vou. (1) adjectives and adverbs modified
(2) I'm strona enough to do it. by TOO.
He runs fast enough to win. (2) adjectives, adverbs or nouns
He reads enough books to learn it. modified by ENO U GH.
He's m an enough to h e b her. (3) adjectives modified by SO.
(3) He is so weak as to be unable Infinitives are introduced by AS.
to speak. (4) nouns modified by SUCH,
(4) 1am not such a fo o l as to Infinitives are introduced by AS.
believe him. mainly
comparison He looked at us a s i f / as though to non-perfect Infinitives are introduced by AS IF, A S
say something. common THOUGH, THAN.
They were m ore willing to discuss active/passive The marker TO is optional after
things than (to) act. THAN.
subsequent He returned hom e (o n ly / m e re ly Infinitives may be introduced by
events / sim o lv / never) to learn that she ONLY, M ERELY, SIM PLY, NEVER.
had aot married.
time 1shudder to think about it Infinitives mark out the time at which
M v arandDa lived to be a hundred. or up to which the action of the
predicate is performed.
condition To look at Jess, vou w ill / w ould Infinitives of verbs of sense
never think that she is still in her perception (see, look, watch, hear,
teens. listen, fe e l, touch, etc.) precede or
1 w ill/ w o u ld believe him a brave follow the predicates in the future
person to touch a snake. tense or conditional mood form.
exception W hat could 1 do b u t / e x c e p t turn Bare infinitives after B U T or EXCEPT
back? are found in negative / interrogative
We did nothinq b u t relax. sentences.
PARENTHESIS To sum up. we failed. non-perfect The infinitives are used in set phrase
To beqin with. 1 never knew about common and form syntactically independent
it. active elements.
130 English Grammar Practice

REFERENCES
1. Аракин В.Д. Практический курс английского языка. - Москва: Владос, 2003.
2. Блох М.Ю., Лебедева А.Я., Денисова B.C. Практикум по английскому языку: Грамматика.
Сборник упражнений. - Москва: Астрель ACT, 2003.
3. Гордон Е.М., Крылова И.П.. Грамматика современного английского языка. - Книжный Дом
"Университет", 2009.
4. Гузеева К.А., Костыгина С.И. Инфинитив. Грамматика английского языка. Серия: Изучаем
иностранные языки. - Спб: "Издательство Союз", 2000.
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Санкт-Петербург, 2006.
6. Каушанская В.Л., Ковнер Р.Л., Кожевникова О.Н., Прокофьева Е.В., Райнес З.М., Сквирская
С.Е., Цырлина Ф.Я. Грамматика английского языка. - СПб: Айрис-пресс, 2008.
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Морфология. - М.: Просвещение, 1985.
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английского языка. - Москва: «Высшая школа», 1971.
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Мн.: Акад. упр. при през. Респ. Беларусь, 2008.
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языка. - Мн. ООО "Лексис", 2009.
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12. Alexander L. Longman English Grammar. Pearson Education, Ltd, 2005.
13. Azar B. Fundamentals of English Grammar. - Pearson Education, 2003
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Predicative Complexes with the Infinitive 131
27. Swan M. Practical English Usage. - Oxford University Press, 1997.
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DICTIONARIES
1. Cambridge International Dictionary of English - Cambridge University Press, 1995.
2. Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. 3rd edition. Longman Dictionaries, 1995.
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4. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. 7th edition. Oxford University Press, 2007.
5. Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English. Oxford University Press, 2002.
Contents 135

CONTENTS
THE MORPHOLOGICAL CATEGORIES OF THE INFINITIVE................................................... 3
THE BARE INFINITIVE AND THE TO-INFINITIVE......................................................................... 10

THE SYNTACTIC FUNCTIONS OF THE INFINITIVE................................................................ 17

THE INFINITIVE AS A SUBJECT................................... 18
THE INFINITIVE AS PART OF A PREDICATE ............................................................................ 25
THE INFINITIVE AS A PREDICATIVE.......................................................................................... 25
THE INFINITIVE AS PART OF A PREDICATIVE............................................................................. 27
THE INFINITIVE AS PART OF A COMPOUND VERBAL PREDICATE............................................... 34
THE INFINITIVE AS PART OF A COMPOUND VERBAL MODAL PREDICATE................................ 34
THE INFINITIVE AS PART OF A COMPOUND VERBAL ASPECT PREDICATE.............................. 41
THE INFINITIVE AS AN OBJECT................................................................................................ 46
THE INFINITIVE AS AN ATTRIBUTE......................................................................................... 60
THE INFINITIVE AS AN ADVERBIAL......................................................................................... 69
THE INFINITIVE AS A PARENTHESIS....................................................................................... 81
MISCELLANEOUS PRACTICE..................................................................................................... 83

PREDICATIVE COMPLEXES WITH THE INFINITIVE............................... 85

THE FOR-TO-INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTION................................................................................ 85
THE OBJECTIVE INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTION........................................................................... 96
THE SUBJECTIVE INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTION......................................................................... 108
MISCELLANEOUS PRACTICE....................... ,............................................................................ 116

THE SYNTACTIC FUNCTIONS OF THE INFINITIVE, SHORT AND EASY ................................ 128

REFERENCES 130