7. The infinitive as parenthesis.

As parenthesis the infinitive is used as part of some set expression, such as:

1. to begin with

2. to be more precise

3. to be quite frank

4. to be sure

5. to crown it all

6. to make matters (things) worse

7. to make/cut a long story short

8. needless to say

9. to put it in a nutshell

10. to put it mildly

11. to put it more plainly

12. to say the least

13. to say nothing of

14. so to speak

15. strange to say

16. to sum it up

17. to tell the truth

As a rule a parenthesis refers to the whole sentence or clause and is placed at the beginning of the sentence though sometimes it may be placed in the middle of the sentence.

To tell the truth, I don’t really like her. – По правде говоря, мне она не нравится.

To sum it up, I completely lost control of the situation. – В общем, я полностью потерял контроль над ситуацией.

That was, so to speak, another gift for you. – Это был, так сказать, еще один подарок для тебя.

Ex.34. Underline the infinitive or the infinitive phrase used as parenthesis. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. To be frank, she realized that she had no claims on him.

2. To crown it all, the manager was forced to close down.

3. To tell the truth, I’ll have another breakdown if I stay any longer in this house.

4. To say the least, she lacked tact in expressing her views.

5. To put it in a nutshell, he tried to give a sympathetic ear at all times.

6. He was terribly slow, to be sure and spoke as if he was half asleep or drugged.

7. To be quite frank, it’s early yet to say whether it works.

Ex.35. Translate the sentences into English.

1. Точнее сказать, он не хочет, чтобы мы вмешивались в его дела.

2. Откровенно говоря, я сыт по горло ее жалобами.

3. Как ни странно, но она никогда нам не звонит.

4. Мягко говоря, он редко сочувствует ей.

5. В общем, это стоило нам дорого: дом, мебель, не говоря уже о гараже.

6. Излишне говорить, что она любит Вас и ждет.

7. Если честно, мне хотелось бы съездить в Германию.

8. Короче говоря, мы не собираемся навязываться им.

9. Он, так сказать, слишком молод для такой карьеры.

10. Проще говоря, если хотите присоединиться к нам, приезжайте рано утром и мы отвезем вас туда.

Revision

Ex.36. Point out the infinitive or the infinitive phrase. Comment on the function of the infinitive or the infinitive phrase. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. He finds it a lot better to have a strong national defense than a balanced budget.

2. After that there will be nothing to distribute.

3. He is rich enough to devote himself to art.

4. I didn’t move to Miami to live in a Spanish-speaking province.

5. An industry that cannot pay its workers a decent living wage has no right to exist.

6. To doubt is sometimes to lose.

7. To tell you the truth, we don’t need ministries… What can they give us? Nothing.

8. The best way to keep one’s word is not to give it.

9. Diplomacy is to do and say the nastiest things in the nicest way.

10. The only way to get respect is to respect others.

11. They think they have to bring in the weapons to protect themselves.

Though I have become Emperor, I have not ceased to be a citizen.

Ex. 37. Choose the sentences where the infinitive or the infinitive phrase is used as:

Subject 1, …	Part of a compound verbal predicate
Part of a predicative	Predicative
Attribute 8, …	Adverbial modifier of purpose
Object	Adverbial modifier of result
Complex object

Put the numbers of the sentences you have chosen in the corresponding box in the way shown for 1 and 8.

1. No, I don’t have any favourite opponent. It’s not my duty to select my opposition.

2. When you run a campaign, the idea is to appeal to people.

3. Though he resisted his father got him to read.

4. The common people who marched for the right to vote now march for the right to breathe.

5. Being literate is to be liberated.

6. It is difficult if not impossible to solve the pollution problem on a state-by-state basis.

7. The only way is to stay here and wait.

8. There’s no belt to tighten anymore.

9. Our job is not to be part of your ridiculous plan.

10. There isn’t any way to keep drugs out of this country.

11. It’s important to understand who the enemy is.

12. Don’t have anything to do with them. They only bring you trouble.

13. For some people it’s important to be important.

14. I never heard him recite his poems.

15. The village is easy to find if you have got a map.

16. They can’t be working now. It’s too late and dark.

17. Tom’s wife is interesting to talk to.

18. They never know what to do but they teach everyone how to do things.

19. The area is very convenient to live in but he feels so lonely here.

20. The purpose of education is, at minimum, to prepare people for work.

Ex.38. Translate into English. Use an infinitive or an infinitive phrase.

1. Не знаю, что посоветовать тебе.

2. Бесполезно лгать.

3. У тебя есть родные, к которым ты можешь поехать летом.

4. Наши дети слишком эгоистичны, чтобы заботиться о нас.

5. Он хочет помочь, но не может.

6. Их невестка только и знает, что жалуется.

7. Эту проблему невозможно обсуждать без него.

8. Друзья приехали, чтобы поддержать его.

9. Он единственный, кто может быть свидетелем всех событий.

10. Мы последними приехали на вокзал.

11. Терпеть не могу притворяться.

12. У вас столько дел!

13. Пора гулять с собакой.

14. Вот деньги, которые можно потратить на еду.

15. Он обожает обедать в ресторане.

16. В такого парня легко влюбиться.