The Subjective Infinitive Construction (Complex Subject)

The Subjective Infinitive Construction (Complex Subject) consists of a nominal element – a noun in the Common case or a pronoun in the Nominative case, and a verbal element – an Infinitive which denotes a state or an action performed by the nominal element.

• He seemed to be a nice man.

• He is said to be a nice man.

• The priest was seen to enter the church.

• He is likely to be a nice man.

Unlike other Infinitive Constructions this one does not form one part of the sentence and does not make one whole as it is split into two parts by a finite verb which is placed between them. The first part of the Construction (the nominal one) forms the subject of the sentence and the Infinitive makes part of a compound verbal predicate of double orientation. (See Table The Functions of the Infinitive in the Sentence: item 3)

The finite verb grammatically joins the elements of the Construction, but semantically it has no reference to the subject. Forming together with the Infinitive the predicate of the sentence, the finite verb denotes some attitude to the action or state expressed by the Infinitive.

The Subjective Infinitive Construction (Complex Subject) is used with a number of finite verbs which can be either active or passive.

1.

The finite intransitive verbs used in the Active Voice: seem, appear, prove, turn out, chance.

• His illness seemed to make his eyes larger.

2.

The finite transitive verbs used in the Passive Voice:

2.1.

verbs of saying and reporting: announce, declare, report, say, state, etc.,

• A new star was reported to have appeared in the East.

• The treaty is said to have been signed yesterday.

2.2.

verbs of inducement, compulsion and permission: make, allow, let, etc. When used in the Passive Voice the verbs make and let are followed by a to-Infinitive.

• She was made to drink a cup of tea and eat a sandwich.

2.3.

verbs of mental activity: believe, consider, expect, find, know, mean, presume, regard, suppose, think, understand, etc.,

• He was supposed to marry her.

2.4.

verbs of sense perception: feel, hear, see, watch, etc.,

• He was seen to cross the river.

• They were heard to enter the apartment.

3.

The Subjective Infinitive Construction is used with some modal phrases: be likely, be unlikely, be sure, be certain.

• The secret is certain to come out.

He was unlikely to require my presence.