2A. The infinitive as part of a predicative.

When the infinitive forms part of a predicative, the other part may be expressed by an adjective.

She is never easy to find. – Ее нелегко найти.

The question was difficult to answer. – На этот вопрос было трудно ответить.

Ex.13. Underline the infinitive or the infinitive phrase used as part of a predicative. Translate the sentences into Russian. Say what the first part of the predicative is expressed by.

Sociable people are easy to deal with.

Sandy is pleasant to talk to.

This armchair is very comfortable to sit in.

The story was amusing to listen to.

His advice was hard to follow.

Responsible people are easy to rely upon.

Her phone number was impossible to remember.

Stubborn people are usually difficult to persuade.

Ex.14. Translate the sentences into English using an infinitive as part of a predicative.

1. Ее детям трудно угодить.

2. Его стихи легко учить наизусть.

3. Такие яблоки трудно вырастить.

4. Эту сцену было неприятно наблюдать.

5. Его слова трудно было забыть.

6. Твой рассказ смешно слушать.

7. С моей дочерью трудно спорить.

8. Их визита невозможно избежать.

9. На нее всегда приятно смотреть.

The infinitive as part of a compound verbal predicate

In this function the infinitive occurs in two types of a compound verbal predicate:

the compound verbal modal predicate;

the compound verbal phrasal predicate.

As part of a compound verbal modal predicate the infinitive follows a modal verb (the first part of this predicate) and denotes the function which may be possible, obligatory, desirable, etc. as indicated by the modal verb.

I don’t have to work on Sunday. – Мне не нужно работать по воскресеньям.

You ought to have warned her. – Вам следовало бы предупредить ее.

As part of a compound verbal phrasal predicate the infinitive follows a phrasal verb, that is a verb that denotes the beginning, the duration, the repetition or the end of the action expressed by the infinitive (to begin, to start, to come, to cease, to continue, used to, would, etc.)

People started to leave the theatre long before the end of the play. –Публика стала уходить из театра задолго до конца спектакля.

It soon began to snow heavily. – Скоро пошел сильный снег.

They gradually ceased to talk and fell asleep. – Постепенно они перестали разговаривать и заснули.

Note:

The infinitive after the verb “to stop” expresses purpose and indicates that the action will follow another. In this case the verb “to stop” has the meaning “to make a break”, “to pause in order to do something”.

e.g. He stopped to talk to me about our plans. = He stopped in order to talk to me …

He stopped to light a cigarette. = He stopped so as to light a cigarette.

Ex.15. Underline the infinitive used as part of a compound verbal predicate. State the type of the compound verbal predicate:

1. modal;

2. Phrasal.

Translate the sentences into Russian.

He can’t do what you are asking him.

She came to realize that he had deceived her.

Sam had to meet his wife at the port and take her straight to her parents.

Jeff has a sore throat. He shouldn’t have had too much ice-cream.

You might have helped your sister to carry her bag.

Grandma must be watering the flowers.

They continued to check the calculations as they didn’t find the results satisfactory.

He began to telephone her every hour but couldn’t reach her.

Ex. 16. Translate the sentences into English. Pay attention to the use of the infinitive as part of a compound verbal predicate.

Тебе не следовало откровенничать с ним. Он никогда не умел хранить чужие тайны.

Опять пошел дождь. Придется сидеть весь день дома. Жаль, мы могли бы неплохо провести день за городом.

Его никогда не заставляют делать что-то по дому, а он мог бы, по крайней мере, мыть посуду после ужина.

Мы, бывало, брaли напрокат машину и уезжали куда-нибудь на юг. Казалось, там мы забывали обо всем.

Зря ты сказал ей о нашем разговоре. Теперь она перестанет доверять мне.

Если начинался дождь, мы прятались в домике у моря.

Лора должна простить Вас. Говорят, она мягкий человек. Она не может долго сердиться на Вас.

The infinitive as object

The infinitive used as an object is placed after the predicate and is often expressed by an infinitive phrase though a single infinitive is also possible.

We plan to go on holiday together. – Мы планируем поехать в отпуск вместе.

I regret to have invited her. – Я жалею, что пригласил ее.

After a number of verbs that take two objects the first one may be expressed by a noun or pronoun and the second by an infinitive (to advise, to allow, to ask, to compel, to encourage, to order, to persuade, to recommend, to request, to tell, to teach, etc.).

Tell him to phone me. – Скажите ему, чтобы позвонил мне.

I asked her to explain everything. – Я попросил ее, чтобы она все объяснила.

After the verbs to find, to consider, to believe, to think, etc. when used as an object, the infinitive may be preceded by the formal introductory object “it”, which is not translated into Russian.

I found [it] hard to believe you. – Мне было трудно вам поверить.

Did you find [it] necessary to invite her? – Ты решил (счел), что ее необходимо пригласить?

After the verbs to advise, to ask, to decide, to discover, to discuss, to explain, to find out, to forget, to know, to learn, to remember, to show, to teach, to tell, to understand, to want, to wonder, etc., the object may be expressed by a conjunctive infinitive phrase.

I don’t know what to say.

where to go.

who to meet.

how much to pay.

when to come.

Have you decided when to have the party? – Вы решили, когда проводить вечер?

The guide didn’t tell the tourists when to come back. – Экскурсовод не сказал туристам, когда возвращаться.

The infinitive may also be used as an object after some

predicative adjectives, b) statives or c) participles.

anxious glad grateful thankful proud sorry

afraid ashamed

astonished amused determined delighted horrified pleased surprised, etc.

We were anxious to find out the truth. – Нам очень хотелось узнать правду.

I’m sorry to be phoning you so late, but it’s very urgent. – Извините, что звоню так поздно, но дело срочное.

They were pleased and proud to have been invited to the conference. – Они радовались и гордились тем, что их пригласили на конференцию.

Ex. 17. Underline the infinitive or the infinitive phrase used as an object. Translate the sentences into Russian. (In case of two objects following the predicate say what the first one is expressed by).

1. I would strongly advise you not to speak to him like that.

2. He was trying to persuade her but failed.

3. Michael was asked to leave Bristol immediately.

4. She taught me to feel and admire nature.

5. I consider it impossible to change your plans.

6. Ellen’s friends encouraged her to get a new car.

7. I find it impossible to take the responsibility upon myself.

8. Vic plans to be back next week.

9. I told Lizzy not to run round the flower-bed and not to pick the flowers.

10. We’d strongly recommend you to see this film.

Ex. 18. Translate the sentences into English using an infinitive or an infinitive phrase as an object.

1. Думаю, весьма желательно время от времени писать им.

2. Они попросили меня не останавливаться на подробностях.

3. Старшая сестра научила ее играть этот концерт.

4. Он с сожалением сообщил им, что приехать не может.

5. Я бы настоятельно советовал Вам побывать на этой ярмарке.

6. Не забывай принимать душ перед сном.

7. Мать гордилась, что у нее такой смелый сын.

8. Простите, что прерываю Вас.

9. Нам приятно принимать таких чудесных гостей в нашем доме.

10. Попытайся убедить ее не поступать в аспирантуру в этом году.