- •Alexandrova t.A., Fenova e.A.
- •Verbals. Oblique Moods. Modal Verbs.
- •Рецензенты:
- •Предисловие
- •The Infinitive
- •The infinitive as a non-finite form of the verb.
- •The morphological characteristics of the infinitive.
- •1.2.1. Aspect and voice distinctions of the infinitive do not differ from those of the finite verb.
- •The particle "to" before the infinitive
- •1.3.1. The split infinitive
- •1.4.3. The infinitive is used as an object to verbs expressing:
- •1.4.4. The infinitive used as an attribute immediately follows its head-noun.
- •1.4.5. The infinitive can be used as an adverbial modifier.
- •1.4.5.1. An adverbial modifier of purpose:
- •1.4.5.2. An adverbial modifier of result or consequence:
- •1.4.5.3. An adverbial modifier of subsequent events:
- •Predicative constructions (complexes) with the infinitive
- •1.6.1. The Accusative with the Infinitive
- •1.6.2. The Nominative with the Infinitive
- •1.6.3. The Infinitive For-Phrase
- •Exercises
- •Without the anticipatory it
- •With the anticipatory it
- •Predicative Constructions (Complexes) with the Infinitive
- •Revision Exercises
- •Participle I
- •2.1. The morphological characteristics.
- •2.2. The temporal meaning of participle I.
- •2.3. The functions of participle I.
- •2.3.1. An attribute
- •The Accusative with participle I (complex object)
- •The nominative with participle I (complex subject)
- •The nominative absolute construction with participle I
- •The absolute construction with participle I introduced by "with". The absolute construction without participle I.
- •3.4. The functions of participle II.
- •3.4.1. An attribute
- •3.4.2. A predicative
- •3.5.6. The prepositional absolute construction.
- •Exercises
- •Predicative constructions (complexes) with participle II.
- •The Gerund
- •The morphological characteristics.
- •The temporal meaning of the gerund.
- •4.8. Some prepositional verbs and phrases used with the gerund.
- •Exercises
- •Gerundial complexes (constructions)
- •The gerund and the infinitive
- •The gerund, participle I, the verbal noun
- •Revision exercises on participle and gerund.
- •5.1.5. Subjunctive I and the suppositional mood represent an action as problematic but not as contradicting reality.
- •5.2.5. The tenses within the sentence need not be the same; the rules of the sequence of tenses are not observed with any of the oblique moods forms.
- •5.3. Aspect and voice distinctions.
- •5.4.2.3. To express advice (a) and preference (b) (subjunctive II in the set phrases had better and would rather):
- •5.4.3. The conditional mood is used in simple sentences
- •5.4.3.1. With implied condition:
- •5.5.1.2.2. It is necessary to point out that when the verb in the object clause is affirmative in English, it is negative in Russian and vice versa.
- •5.5.1.2.3. To express a hardly realizable wish the present tense of subjunctive II of a modal verb may be used in these object clauses.
- •5.5.1.3. Both tenses of subjunctive II are used in adverbial clauses of comparison. The tenses are used relatively.
- •5.5.1.3.1. The same rules hold good for predicative clauses introduced by as if and as though.
- •5.5.2. Subjunctive II and the conditional mood in complex sentences.
- •5.5.2.1. In a complex sentence with a subordinate clause of unreal condition subjunctive II is used in the clause of condition and the conditional mood is used in the principal clause.
- •5.5.2.1.2. Three forms are used in clauses of condition with reference to the future (for details see 5.5.3.4.):
- •5.5.2.2. In a complex sentence with a subordinate clause of concession the choice of the mood form depends on the conjunction which introduces the subordinate clause.
- •5.5.3.2.1. The same rules hold good for appositive (a) and predicative (b) clauses after nouns expressing order, suggestion, wish, agreement, etc.:
- •5.5.3.4. The suppositional mood is used in adverbial clauses of condition with reference to the future.
- •5.5.3.5. The suppositional mood and subjunctive I may be used in adverbial clauses of concession.
- •5.5.3.5.1. The suppositional mood is used with reference to the future.
- •5.5.3.5.2. Subjunctive I is used in clauses of concession introduced by though, although, whoever, etc.
- •5.5.3.5.3. The indicative mood of the modal verb may is often used in clauses of concession introduced by though, whoever, however, etc.
- •The Use of Moods in Simple Sentences and Independent Clauses
- •The Use of Moods in Complex Sentences Subjunctive II in Complex Sentences
- •Subjunctive II and the Conditional Mood in Complex Sentences
- •The Suppositional Mood and Subjunctive in Complex Sentences
- •Revision Exercises
- •6.3.6. Incredulity (in negative sentences)
- •Revision exercises on can and may
- •Exercises
- •Exercises
- •Should, ought (to)
- •6.8. In most of their meanings these verbs are used interchangeably. They express the following:
- •6.8.1. Advice, obligation, desirability
- •6.8.4. Supposition bordering on assurance; something that can be naturally expected
- •6.8.5. Why should, how should are to be considered set phrases used for emotional colouring:
- •Exercises.
- •6.11. Need can be used as a modal or as a regular verb. It has the following meanings:
- •6.11.2. Necessity (in negative and interrogative sentences)
- •6.11.4. To be in want of is expressed by the regular need
- •Exercises
- •Revision exercises on modal verbs
- •Literature
- •I. Theoretical sourses
- •II.Fiction and periodicals
- •III. Dictionaries
- •Abbreviations
- •Сontents
- •Александрова т.А., Фенова е.А.
1.3.1. The split infinitive
"Splitting an infinitive" (i.e. putting an adverb between "to" and the verb) is usually unacceptable and should generally be avoided.
This construction is very old. But in modern times there has grown the feeling that it is somehow wrong to thus split an infinitive. Split infinitives can be found, but they are hard to find:
I wanted to keep looking at her because I wanted to never take my eyes from her, but still I had to lower my eyes. (E.Segal. Love Story. N-Y., 1971, p. 127)
I was afraid to even speak the word "okay". (p. 127).
The lawyer friend refused to help Felix in any manner, refused to even answer his telephone calls. (M.Puzo. The Godfather, L., 1975, p. 305).
He knew that it was Nino's success more than his. He resigned himself to never being able to again sing professionally. (M.Puzo, p. 194).
But we have to get an apartment. – What for? – Christie, do you expect me to always live at the Astor with your two wardrobe trunks in the living room? (J.Susann. The Love Machine. N-Y., 1970, p. 299).
At the same instant several rough-looking fellows came in and removed the red carpet, so as to entirely clear the room. (A.Conan Doyle. Tales of Horror and Mystery. L., 1963, p. 29).
There's nothing worse than for a parent to ill treat a child. (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, 1995, p. 550).
With some modifiers the split infinitive is very hard to avoid:
This is sure to more than make up for our losses.
He liked to half close his eyes.
It's difficult to really understand the theory of relativity.
Your safest rule will be not to split an infinitive without a compelling reason. (L.Strong)
The functions of the infinitive
The finite verb has only one function in the sentence – that of the predicate (or part of it). The infinitive can be any part of the sentence but the predicate.
The infinitive can have various functions in the sentence.
1.4.1. The infinitive can be used as the subject of a sentence, often introduced by the "anticipatory it":
To ease credit restrictions at this stage would be unwise.
It's difficult to find a place to park in the city centre.
Do you think it is safe to drink this water?
It's a surprise to be invited.
1.4.2. The infinitive cannot be used as the predicate of a sentence but it can be part of the predicate (nominal or verbal).
1.4.2.1. In the nominal predicate the infinitive is either a predicative or a secondary predicative.
The infinitive used after a link verb is a predicative:
Her first impulse was to scream.
My aim is to start up my own company.
1.4.2.2. The infinitive used after a link verb and an adjective is a secondary predicative (the adjective and the infinitive are closely connected and form the second part of the nominal predicate, i.e. a predicative).
The infinitive in this pattern usually refers to things done to someone or something. The subject of the sentence is also an object of the action of the infinitive.
She is amusing to be with.
English is difficult to learn well.
Do you think this water is safe to drink?
1.4.2.3. The infinitive used after an aspective or a modal verb is part of a compound verbal predicate. The infinitive is used in this function after:
1) aspective verbs (denoting the beginning, the duration or the end of an action):
The whole building suddenly began to shake.
Mr Adams said that he would not hesitate to call the police if the party continued to disturb the entire street.
2) modal verbs and the expressions had better, would rather:
Life belts must not be removed.
Everyone knows what they have to do, don't they?
Passengers should check in at the airport thirty minutes before take-off.
We'd better stop for petrol soon. The tank is almost empty.