The Complex Subject Construction

I. The Complex Subject Construction is a two-member predicative complex with the first component expressed by a noun in the Common Case or a pronoun in the Nominative Case, and the second element - by an infinitive (to denote a mere action), or participle I (for an action in process, participle II (for a passive meaning), an adjective or a noun.

e.g.: Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in

nature has a purpose. (Garrison Keillor)

She seemed to have lost her patience.

Mr. Browrn is considered the best specialist in this

question.

I am believed competent but I am not.

The man was believed lost.

Note 1: In traditional reference books the construction is called "The Nominative-with-the-Infinitive Construction". This term though is not a happy one, since "with-the-infinitive" excludes the use of the Participle, Noun or Adjective. The traditional term does not seem appropriate.

II. Verbs admitting the Complex Subject Construction can be divided into two groups:

a) Verbs in the Passive Voice:

1) verbs of sense perception: see, hear, observe, watch, etc.

e.g.: The man was seen to run across the field towards the river.

Father’s car was heard to stop at the front door.

Note 1 : If a process is meant, non-perfect participle I active is used:

e.g.: They were seen swimming across the river.

2) verbs denoting mental activity: think, consider, know, expect, believe, suppose, etc.

e. g.She (Juley) had passed into a proverb in the family and when anybody was observed to be peculiarly distressing, he was known to be e regular Juley. Diplomacy is thought to be the art of jumping into troubled waters without making a splash. (Anonymous)

His policy is no policy. And this in itself is supposed. to be a policy. (Anonymous)

The soldiers were expected to do their duty in the coming battle.

3) Verbs of saying and reporting: say, report, rumour. With this construction they express the idea of evidence of some fact. Here also belong some other verbs which in the passive voice express the idea of evidence: find, discover, etc.

e.g.-: They are rumoured to have divorced.

Three people are reported to have been killed in the

plane crash

The gods had given Irene dark-brown yes and golden

hair, which is said to be the mark of a weak character.

(Galsworthy)

Experience is said to be a comb which nature gives us

when we are bald. (Anonymous)

After her return to the prison, Hester Prynn was found to

be in a state of nervous excitement.

4) verbs of inducement, compulsion and permission: make, cause, force, induce, tell, allow, let.

e. g.She was made to take pony-riding, or piano-exercise. He had learned to keep his thoughts to himself. To do So, he had been forced to divest himself of all perso­nality.

Nobody was allowed to enter the room.

Note 3: When used in the passive voice the verbs to make and allow are followed by a to-infinitive

Sentences containing these verbs have some syntactic peculiarities:

a)'-The construction presents a syntactic complex whose components stand in relation of predication to each other.

b) The nominal element of the Complex Subject Construction forms two syntactic connections, it has two syntactic functions at a time:

• on the one hand it functions as a grammatical subject of the sentence: it's syntactically connected with the finite verb (Philip Bosinney was known ...) and stands for the sufferer of its action; the finite verb is always passive here;

• on the other hand, it's connected with the second element of the construction and stands for the doer (Philip Bosinney ... to be a young man), the sufferer (the car ... damaged] or an agent ascribed a certain property (I ... competent], (Mr. Brown ... a good specialist).

c) The second element of the construction is syntactically specific too

- on the one hand, it is connected with the finite verb as part of the predicate of the sentence (was known to be a young man. without a fortune);

- on the other hand, it is connected with the nominal element of the construction which is at the same time the grammatical subject of the sentence, and thus performs the function of part of the subject construction (Philip Bossiney … to be a young man). Hence, there are three syntactic groups in the sentence: “Philip Bossiney was known to be a young man without a fortune”: 1). Philip Bossiney was known; 2). Was known to be a young man; 3). Philip Bossiney … to be a young man.

- on the other hand, it is connected with the nominal element of the construction which is at the same time the grammatical subject of the sentence, and thus performs the function of part of the subject construction (Philip Bosinney ... to be a young man): Hence, there are three syntactic groups in the sentence "Philip Bosinney was known to be a young man without a fortune.": 1) Philip Bosinney was known; 2) was known to be a young man (without a fortune); 3) Philip Bosinney ... to be a young man ...

Note l: In translating sentences containing the Complex Subject Construction after verbs in the Passive Voice a complex sentence with an "indefinite personal" main clause is mostly used. Sentences with the verbs of group 4 (verbs of inducement, compulsion and permission) are translated into Russian by simple sentences.

e.g.: Nobody was allowed to enter the room.

Никому не разрешалось входить в комнату.

Note 2: After verbs in the Passive Voice the Complex Subject Construction is more characteristic of literary than of colloquial style, except with the verbs suppose, expect, make; with these verbs the Complex Subject Construction can be found both in fiction and in colloquial style.

b) Verbs in the Active Voice:

1) pairs of synonyms: to seem - to appear; to happen - to chance (the later is literary); to prove - to turn out.

e.g.: Her figure swayed, so balanced that the very air seemed to set it moving. (Galsworthy) None of the Forsytes happened to be architects. (Galsworthy)

Our innocent chat appeared to amuse him and he waited for the next train in order to take tea in the study. (J.Webster)

On June 15, 1886, about four of the afternoon, the observer who chanced to be present at the house of - ' ",' old Jolyon Forsyte in Stanhope Gate, might have seen the highest efflorescence of the Forsytes.

"Would you be terribly displeased, Daddy, if I didn't turn out to be a Great Author after all, but just a plain girl?" (J. Webster) The experiment proved to be a failure. (Collins)

2) with some modal phrases: to be likely, to be unlikely, to be sure, be certain, to be bound.

e.g.: If Soames were to see him in the club it would be sure to come round to her that he wasn't at the dentist's at all. (Galsworthy)

The children of divided parents in an unhappy home are likely to suffer in character. The secret is certain to come out.

Exercise 1. Insert the proper form of the infinitive.

1. But there was nothing now (to wait) for.

2. It’s a good idea (to ask) her the question at the time.

3. I’m glad (to invite) to this party.

4. “I should like (to see) his room,” said Mrs. Carter “is it here?”

5. We were on a little plateau about half way up. There was no open country (to see), not one acre where there wasn’t a human being.

6. Ted didn’t like his sister (to look at).

7. The old man and woman didn’t expect (to interrogate).

8. It was so kind of them (to prepare) everything before our arrival.

9. They happened (to discuss) something when I came in.

10. She didn’t want (to bother) anyone and didn’t want (to bother) either.

11. She turned out (to clean) the house since morning.

12. They may (to telephone) while you were out.

13. It seems (to snow) ever since we came here.

14. She sprang up from the armchair in which she appeared (to doze).

15. “Oh, Goodness, I seem (to blurt out) the secret,” she said.

16. Well, I am not sorry (to miss) that train I should not (to meet) you otherwise.

17. The police are looking for a missing boy. He is believed (to wear) a white pullover and blue jeans.

18. A twelve year old girl, patience Barlow, was the first (to attract) his attention or (to attract) by him.

19. That Jolyon seems (to be born) in 1710, son of Jolyon and Mary.

20. This chance is not (to miss).

21. . Susan is fortunate (to give) a scholarship last month.

22. How dare you (to open) my letters!

Exercise 2. Insert the proper form of the infinitive (active or passive).

1. a). It doesn’t do (to make) other people wretched. Also, women should (to love). It suits them somehow. Men, too.

b). He knew he had been asked down to Wrogby (to make) use of.

c). You must not laugh at me, darling, but it had always been a girlish dream of mine (to love) someone whose name was Ernest.

2). She was sorry (to have missed) so many classes before the exams.

3). Emma was surprised (to hear) of his sudden arrival.

4). They are glad (to invite) to the party.

5). I don’t like(to interrupt).

6). He will be happy (to see) you.

7). I was glad (to meet) you at the station.

8). Children like (to tell) tales and always (to listen) to them with interest.

9). I did not think (to interrupt) you.

10). He doesn’t like (to ask) questions because he doesn’t know how (to answer)

them.

11). Look, a ship can (to see) in the distance. Can you (to see) it?

12). A machine in the factory needs (to repair).

Exercise 3. Insert the proper form of the infinitive.

Lodder out of hospital soon.

Racing driver Chuck Lodder had a bad accident in last year’s Grand Prix, is likely (to come) out of hospital soon. He agreed (to interview) by our sports reporter, although he has refused (to photograph), as his face still shows the marks of the accident.

Chuck was very cheerful when he spoke to us. His health now seems (to improve) very slowly. He expects (to sit) at the wheel once more again before very long.

Many people think that last year’s race at Bruckheim ought never (to take) place. It was the last race on the old track, which is going (to rebuild). The owners of the track expect (to complete) the work in time for next season.

(from L.V. Khvedchenya, 2002).

Exercise 4. Insert ‘to’ where necessary before the infinitives in brackets.

4. He made me (to do) it all over again.

5. She can (to sing) quite well.

6. You can (to leave) your dog with us if you don’t (to want) (to take) him with you.

7. I’d like him (to go) to a university but I can’t (to make) him (to go).

8. Need I (to come)? I’d much rather (to stay) at home.

9. The teacher made Juan (to leave) the room.

10. You had better (to invest) your money in a business than (to keep) it at home.

11. Why not (to go) to the cinema tonight?–– Why (to wait)?

12. I became a doctor, but I’d rather (to become) a lawyer.

13. There is nothing to do but (to tell) the truth.

14. Do you need (to see) the boss today?–– Yes, I had better (to do) it.

15. 12.Rather than (to argue) for hours why don’t you (to look) in a reference book?

16. 13.She had the maid (to bring) some tea.

17. Nobody was allowed (to leave) the house before the inspector.

18. Why can’t you (to find) something to do.

19. As he had lost his key there was nothing (to do) but (to break) the door open.

20. How dare you (to say) such things!

21. Will you help me (to move) the bookcase?

22. You needn’t say anything. Just nod your head and he will understand.

23. There is hardly anything (to do) but (to work) out an alternative plan.

24. He tried to make me (to believe) that he was my stepbrother.

25. I felt the house (to shake) with the explosion.

26. I’m sorry (to disappoint) you but I can’t (to let) you (to have) any more money.

27. Would you rather (to be) more stupid than you (to look) or (to look) more stupid than you are.

28. The chairman was heard (to second) his proposal.

Exercise 5. Translate into English.

1. Я чувствовал, что его рассказ правдив.

2. Я не могу не согласиться с вами.

3. «Вы выглядите усталым, вам лучше пойти домой.»–– «Я бы предпочел закончить работу сегодня.»

4. Чем спорить со мною, лучше посмотри в энциклопедии.

5. разрешите мне уйти, я плохо себя чувствую. –– вас никто не заставляет оставаться здесь. Идите домой и лечитесь, если вы простыли.

6. Все, что я сделал, было сделано для государства и для блага моего великого народа.

7. Гораздо лучше будет провести вечер в кино, чем сидеть дома, около телевизора.

8. Ты не поможешь мне найти это слово?

9. С какой стати идти в этот супермаркет? Там все так дорого. Давайте лучше съездим в какой-нибудь другой магазин.

10. –– Хочешь поехать снами летом на Байкал?

11. Я бы с удовольствием. Но у меня много дел.

12. Это приключение я запомню навсегда, этот человек изменил мою жизнь и навсегда останется в моей памяти.

Exercise 6. Define the infinitive in the function of purpose and result:

1. Wish not so much to live long as to live well. (B. Franklin)

2. This was the occasion of an “at home” to celebrate the engagement of Miss June Forsyte, old Jolyon’s grand-daughter, to Philip Bosinney.

3. Too excited to say a word, Miss Meadows opened a telegram.

4. Her relatives gave her some money to go “North” and “finish” her education.

5. According to legend the bad-tempered Irish giant Finn MacCool built a road across the waves to reach his enemy Finn Gall, Who lived on Scotland’s Isle of Starffar.

6. It seems that dentists will use holograms to show their patients which tooth they have treated.

7. Quickly becoming a Chicago tradition is “Around the Coyot”, a free art festival and artists’ studio walk began three years ago to encourage people to learn about the diversity and wealth of Chicago’s artistic community.

8. One is never too old to learn.

9. To lengthen your life, lessen your meals.

10. So, on the following evening, we again assembled, to discuss and arrange our plans.

11. It is difficult enough to fix a tent in dry weather in wet the task becomes herculean.

12. The Roman legions composed of “gifted” civilized, but ruthless “warriors, had become to conquer Britain forty years after the birth of Christ.”

13. Evvy was squeezing between the chairs so as to hand her.

14. Agreed finally, that we should take three bath towels, so as not to keep each other waiting.

15. James once went down to see for himself what sort of place this was that they had come from.

16. “Yes,” she thought, “everybody’s been most kind; quite a lot of people come to congratulate her.”

17. …and Juley, who not in first youth had so far forgotten herself as to marry Septimus Small, a man of poor constitution.

18. He had called on him twice lately to see –– how he was getting on, but the boy had been very short with him, and Mor had gone away hurt and puzzled.

19. Bossiney, who was watching, came out to meet them, and all three entered the house together.

20. June paused for a moment to look at herself in t he large old-fashioned silver mirror.

21. If Irene had no money she would not so foolish as to do anything wrong.

22. And upstairs in her room June sat at her open window, where the spring wind come, after its revel across the Park, to cool her cheeks and burn her heart.

23. A few minutes later Bossiney rose to go, and Soames rose too, to see him off the premises.