3. The Particle “to”.

The particle “to” can sometimes substitute the infinitive itself. This mostly occurs in spoken English when the infinitive particle “to” finishes a phrase (usually in a response). Then the particle “to” is a formal sign that the infinitive itself is implied.

I’m not going to play the fool just because you tell me to. (=to do it).

She again came home very late though I asked her not to. (=not to come home late)

The infinitive particle “to” often substitutes the infinitive after the following verbs and phrases:

to ask to be allowed

to forget to be glad

to like to be going

to mean would like/love

to promise to have the right (to)

to refuse to have the occasion (to)

to try ought (to)

to want have (to)

to wish

I went there because I wanted to (because I wanted to go there)

– You are late again!

– I’m awfully sorry. I tried not to, but I was detained. (I tried not to be late)

– Will you help me?

– I’ll be glad to.

– Will you come to a dance with me?

– I’d love to.

When the particle “to” is separated from the infinitive itself by an adverb, we have a split infinitive.

I’d like to really understand poetry. – Я бы хотел по-настоящему понимать поэзию.

He began to slowly climb the rock. – Он стал медленно взбираться на скалу.

Split infinitives are quite common in English, especially in an informal style. But it is considered by grammarians “bad style” and is usually avoided when possible, then the adverb is placed either before the particle “to” or at the end of the sentence.

I’d like really to understand poetry.

He began to climb the rock slowly.

Though sometimes it is impossible to avoid using the split infinitive without changing the meaning.

Your job is to really make the club a success. – Ваша цель (состоит) в том, чтобы, и вправду, сделать работу клуба успешной.

Ex.7. Translate into English.

1. - Пойдешь со мной на дискотеку?

- С удовольствием. (should love)

2. - Не могли бы мы поехать на дачу?

- Я не хочу.

3. - Вы должны придти точно в три.

- Да, обязательно. (ought)

4. - Почему Вы не позвонили ему?

- Я не хотела. (wish)

5. - Почему ты не пригласила Джека в гости?

- Я не собиралась. (mean, plan)

6. - Ты едешь в Италию?

- Нет, хотя я и планировал это.

7. - Тебе уже нужно уходить?

- Хотелось бы.

8. - Почему ты не рассказала отцу всю правду?

- Я боялась.

9. - Я не пойду с тобой в кино.

- Но ведь ты обещала.

10. - Она научилась говорить по-английски?

- Нет. Но хотела.

11. - Ты купил билеты на этот спектакль?

- Нет, не смог. (be able)

3. The use of the infinitive without the particle “to” (The bare infinitive)

The so-called bare infinitive (the infinitive without the particle “to”) is used:

1. After the auxiliary verb of the Present, Past or Future Simple (Indefinite)

Does he _ like this actor?

He didn’t _ like the performance.

I’ll _ come to see the match.

2. After the modal verbs can (could), dare, may (might), must, needn’t, shall, should, will, would (except the modal verbs ought to, to be to, to have to).

Things might _ get better. – Все еще может уладиться.

You shall _ finish the dinner. – Ты обязательно доешь обед.

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

They saw the street lights _ come on. – Они увидели, как зажглись уличные фонари.

We all felt the house _ shake. – Мы все почувствовали, как вздрогнул дом.

Note:

1. The verb “to be” after the verb “to feel” is used with the particle “to”

She felt his hand to be hot. – Она почувствовала, что у него горячая рука.

2. If the verbs of sense perception are used in the passive voice, they are followed by a to-infinitive.

He was seen to enter the house. – Видели, как он зашел в дом.

4. After the verbs of inducement and permission: to let (in the meaning of позволять, разрешать), to make (in the meaning of заставлять), to have (in the meaning of заставлять, сказать чтобы)

That Saturday the teacher let us _ go home earlier. – В ту субботу учитель отпустил нас домой раньше. (Разрешил нам уйти)

What makes you _ think so? - Почему ты так думаешь? (Что заставляет тебя так думать?)

Please, have someone _lay the table. – Пожалуйста, скажите, чтобы кто-нибудь накрыл на стол.

The verb “to help” may be followed by both a to-infinitive and a bare infinitive (the latter case is more typical of American English).

He helped me (to)carry my bag. – Он помог мне нести сумку.

Note:

The passive form of the verb to make is followed by a to-infinitive.

She was made to lay the table. – Ее заставили накрывать на стол.

After modal phrases:

had better (‘d better)

would rather (‘d rather)

would sooner (‘d sooner)

It’s cold. You’d better _ wear a coat. – Холодно. Лучше надень пальто.

I’d rather _ stay in and _ watch TV than _ go out in such weather. – Я бы лучше остался дома и посмотрел телевизор, чем выходить в такую погоду.

He’d sooner _ die than _ marry her. – Он скорее умрет, чем женится на ней.

After phrases with but, cannot but (can’t but), nothing but

I cannot but _ agree. – Я не могу не согласиться.

She does nothing but _ grumble. – Она только и делает, что ворчит.

Bill can’t but _ tell the truth. – Билл не может не сказать правду.

In sentences beginning with why not…

Why not _ ask Tom about it? – Почему бы не спросить об этом Тома?

Why not _ go there together? – Почему бы не пойти туда вместе?

If two infinitives are connected by the conjunctions and, or, except, than, (the conjunction is followed by a bare infinitive)

The conjunctions except and than may be followed by both bare and to-infinitives.

I’ll have to try and _ explain everything. – Мне придется попытаться объяснить все.

Do you want to have lunch now or _ wait till later? – Ты хочешь пообедать сейчас или еще подождешь?

It’s easier to persuade people than _ (to) force them. – Легче людей убедить, чем заставить силой.

We had nothing to do except _ (to) look at the posters. –

Оставалось только разглядывать плакаты.

Ex. 8. Translate into Russian. Write out the verbs and phrases followed by a bare infinitive. Underline the bare infinitives.

He’d rather join the army than stay here having no job, no family.

They’d sooner elect him President than let his opponents win.

His wife does nothing but scold him for everything he does and says.

Little Ann always helps her mother do the dishes and never breaks a thing.

Why not try to persuade him not to quarrel with her?

We often hear him play the guitar and his wife sing.

Don’t you feel his voice tremble when he speaks to you?

Ex. 9. Insert the infinitive. Think whether a bare infinitive or a to-infinitive is necessary.

We miss them a great deal and we are happy that they will (to visit) us next month.

You could (to have done) it long ago.

The boy felt his mother (to touch) his cheek but he pretended (to be sleeping).

Mrs. Cool wants her son (to look after) his younger sister. She is going (to be busy) till Friday.

Don’t let your children (to swim) in the river when they are alone.

Susan would sooner (to miss) her classes than (to refuse) to go to a disco.

You’d better phone your Grandma. She needs your help and there’s nobody (to take care of) her.

They cannot but (to support) your project, otherwise they won’t be able (to get) any profit.

Their family was made (to sell) the house just for nothing and (to leave) for Manchester.

I heard him (to pray) when everybody went to bed.

Ex.10. Translate into English using a bare infinitive.

1. Я бы предпочел присоединиться к вам и поехать за город, чем сидеть в городе в такую погоду.

2. Ты бы лучше готовился к зачету по английскому (read up your English), а не смотрел телевизор с утра до вечера.

3. Он скорее расстанется с ней, чем позволит ей так обращаться с собой.

4. Я чувствую, что он хочет сказать мне что-то важное.

5. Почему бы не съездить в Париж на выставку?

6. Не могу не поспорить с тобой.

7. Не надо звонить им сейчас.

8. Он бы предпочел отдохнуть в Греции или навестить родителей.

9. Они, возможно, ожидают, что он приедет к ним.

10. Почему бы их не поздравить?

11. Ему ничего не оставалось, как довериться ей.