Exercises

Exercise 1. State the form of the infinitive.

1. It was the boy's decision to go to law school after college. (M.P.) 2. Nothing seemed to be changed except that now she wasn't going to marry Larry. (S.M.) 3. Mrs Davenheim apologized for her husband's absence, which seemed unaccountable, as she knew him to have been expecting the visitor. (A.Chr.) 4. Money just doesn't happen to interest me. (S.M.) 5. As a matter of fact I happened to be glancing through the "Dictionary of National Biography" the other day. (S.M.) 6. The Great Depression increased the power of Vito Corleone. And indeed it was about that time he came to be called Don Corleone. (M.P.) 7. Seeing Vernon Demerest tonight had made him think of it. (A.H.) 8. Mr Davenheim seemed literally to have vanished into thin air. (A.Chr.) 9. It must have been before six, as the gardeners cease work at that time. (A.Chr.) 10. At the last dinner she had noticed that he seemed to be doing very well. (D.S.) 11. He put away in a safe place, under another name, a considerable fortune to be enjoyed all in good time when everyone has been thrown off the track. (A.Chr.) 12. "We are not in court, man." "No, and we never may be." "You mean he may not have been murdered?" (A.Chr.) 13. The master appeared to have been drinking. He seemed to be recovering from a regular bout of it. (S.M.) 14. I looked up. He was pointing at me. Me? What had I done to deserve a penalty? (E.S.) 15. He suddenly rolled up his sleeve and showed upon his forearm a peculiar sign which appeared to have been branded there. (A.C.D.) 16. He was bound not to have left them anything. (S.P.)

Exercise 2. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. Japp stared at him a few minutes longer, but Poirot seemed to have forgotten us both. (A.Chr.) 2. I went back to the motel to phone Jenny. (E.S.) 3. Miller drove carefully, fighting his own alcohol level. The last thing he wanted was to be stopped by a patrol car and tested for drunkenness. (F.F.) 4. Wasn't it bad to be working on Christmas Eve? Well – less bad than not working at all. (F.S.F.) 5. "Mr Lowen could not possibly know that he would have the chance to open the safe." "He might have seized his opportunity," I suggested. (A.Chr.) 6. "The fire escape!" screamed Miss Curleigh. But there was no one to be seen on the fire-escape. (E.Q.) 7. We decided that the others had better be brought into this discussion. 8. "That's Michael Corleone, the Don's son." Michael said quietly, "What happened to the detectives who were supposed to be guarding my father?" (M.P.) 9. I think she ought to have gone away when he got married. I said so. (A.Chr.) 10. I don't want you to take the train. (M.P.) 11. He conceded finally that he was pleased to have taken the bus. (D.S.) 12. It was an awful story, but there was a lesson to be learned. (D.S.) 13. Magda put down her box and came forward to meet him. (A.Chr.) 14. "Good morning, Mrs Leonides. I'm sorry to have to trouble you again." She said in a flat voice: "I suppose it can't be helped." (A.Chr.) 15. He had never thought to be troubled with such questions. (S.M.)

Exercise 3. Use the infinitive in the non-perfect form of the active or passive voice.

1. "Oh, Master Oliver," she greeted me. God, how I hate (to call) that! (E.S.) 2. You can't (to expect) him (to throw) away his principles. (J.P.) 3. Then he needed a perfect valet. He liked his clothes (to look) properly after. (S.M.) 4. "Please tell me everything that happened." This was not easy for Bob (to do). (A.H.) 5. Marius walked in and put a bucket under the stream of water coming through the ceiling. It seemed (to come) faster and harder but he looked unconcerned. (D.S.) 6. In some way, the human race has (to make) aware of its danger. (C.W.) 7. He says that the poems happen (to write) by the only great poet of the century. (J.S.) 8. Back in the brief period when he had headed a scenario department Pat had conceived a plan (to put) a dictaphone in every writer's office. Thus their loyalty to the studio executives could (to check) several times a day. (F.S.F.) 9. "Let me (to speak) to him on the phone, father to father. I can't sit here and allow a parent (to reject) a child." "But I reject him too, Phil." "Don't ever let me (to hear) you (to talk) like that. A father's love is (to cherish) and (to respect). It's rare." (E.S.) 10. I am longing for you (to see) her. (S.M.) 11. The maintenance chief, remembering his need (to get) to the airport speedily, felt his anger (to rise). Then, with an effort, he controlled himself. (A.H.) 12. It was a perfectly simple will. He left this house to Brenda or else a suitable house in London (to purchase) for her, whichever she preferred. (A.Chr.)

Exercise 4. Use the infinitive in the perfect or non-perfect form of the active voice.

1. Pardon my asking, but have you made any attempts (to reform) him? (S.M.) 2. She may be gambling on your coming to the conclusion that nobody could have been as stupid as she appears (to be). (A.Chr.) 3. When a passenger saw his bag (to disappear) at the check-I counter, it went to a room deep below the departure gates. An attendant on duty watched each bag (to arrive). (A.H.) 4. My brother Roger came rushing down (to tell) me that my father had had a sudden seizure. He had difficulty in breathing and seemed very ill. I telephoned through to the doctor, which nobody seemed (to think) of doing. The doctor was out – but I left a message for him (to come) as soon as possible. I then went upstairs. (A.Chr.) 5. At times, Vernon Demerest encouraged Gwen (to talk), merely for the joy of hearing her (to speak). (A.H.) 6. She murdered him in cold blood! God, it makes my blood (to boil) to think of it. (A.Chr.) 7. "I guess they just didn't – don't get along." "We seem (to have) difficulty with our tenses," said Ellery. "After all, Mr Morton, there's no evidence (to show) that your aunts aren't merely off somewhere on a visit." (E.Q.) 8. Josephine spoke with cold superiority. I was stupid enough (to let) the inference (to escape) me. (A.Chr.) 9. When do you desire me (to return) to my post? (S.M.) 10. Then the only thing you might (to do), Mrs. Guerrero, is (to go) out to the airport. If your husband is there, you could see him. (A.H.) 11. He had begun life as a drug addict, but now claimed (to cure) himself. (C.W.) 12. I have never seen a man (to look) so completely paralysed with fright. (A.Chr.)

Exercise 5. Use the appropriate form of the infinitive.

1. The situation is serious. Something must (to do) before it's too late. (R.Murphy) 2. I haven't received the letter. It may (to send) to the wrong address. 3. The injured man couldn't (to walk) and had (to carry). 4. This road is in very bad condition. It should (to repair) a long time ago. 5. Two people are reported (to injure) in the explosion. 6. The weather is expected (to be) good tomorrow. 7. The thieves are believed (to get) in through the kitchen window. 8. The company is expected (to lose) money this year. 9. The company is believed (to lose) a lot of money last year. 10. The prisoner is thought (to escape) by climbing over a wall. 11. The building is reported (to damage) badly by fire. 12. "Jim is a hard worker." "You must (to joke). He's very lazy!" 13. I've lost one of my gloves. I must (to drop) it somewhere. 14. Liz needs a change. She should (to go) away for a few days. 15. I ought (to go) out last night. I'm sorry I didn't. 16. A new supermarket is going (to build) here next year.

Exercise 6. Translate the sentences into English.

1. Он был доволен, что сел на автобус. 2. Я не хочу, чтобы ты ехал поездом. 3. Доброе утро. Мне жаль, что приходится снова Вас беспокоить. – Полагаю, без этого не обойтись. 4. Он очень удивился. Он никогда не думал, что его будут беспокоить такими вопросами. 5. Я думаю, ей следовало уехать, когда он женился. Я говорил ей об этом. 6. Это было решение мальчика пойти учиться в юридическую школу после колледжа. 7. Когда проходящий подготовку сталкивался с трудностями, ему надо было дать возможность проявить находчивость и разобраться в ситуации без посторонней помощи. 8. Он оставил распоряжение о том, чтобы гостя проводили в кабинет (распорядился, что гостя надо проводить в кабинет), и вышел из дома. 9. Мы дадим Дженсену жемчужины, которые он должен отдать тебе. 10. Он добавил, что ждет некоего г-на Лоуэна. Если вдруг Лоуэн придет раньше, чем он сам вернется, его надо проводить в кабинет и попросить подождать. 11. Вы хотите, чтобы я ушла, инспектор? 12. Это не имеет смысла, если только вы уже не знаете, что самолет, на котором вы летите, никогда не прибудет туда, куда, как считается, он летит. Предположим, что у него бомба. 13. Как я хотела, чтобы она перестала работать, но, конечно, она считала это своим долгом в военное время. 14. Миллер ехал осторожно. Меньше всего ему хотелось, чтобы его остановила патрульная машина и чтобы проверили, не пьян ли он. 15. Эллери загадочно смотрел на вилку, нож и ложку, лежавшие на подносе. "Вы видели, как я проверил их", – сказал он. 16. Великая Депрессия упрочила власть Вито Карлеоне. И примерно в это время его стали называть Доном Карлеоне. 17. Бренда бросилась звать меня. 18. "Господин Оливер", – приветствовала меня она. Боже, как я ненавижу, когда меня так называют! 19. Он хотел, чтобы его завтра сделали продюсером. "Это мое рождественское желание. Я ждал этого так долго." 20. Я не хочу, чтобы люди теряли деньги, я хочу, чтобы они их зарабатывали.

Exercise 7. Use either of the infinitives in brackets. If two variants are possible, explain the difference.

1. He added that he was expecting a Mr Lowen, on business. If Mr Lowen should come before he himself returned, he was (to be shown / to have been shown) into the study and asked to wait. (A.Chr.) 2. I told him he was (to give / to have given) the letter to the manager. 3. You were (to give / to have given) the letter to the manager! 4. "I haven't got a solicitor. I don't want one. I have nothing to hide." "And you quite understand that what you say is (to be taken / to have been taken) down." "I'm innocent." (A.Chr.) 5. "Did he seem quite as usual?" With a slight hint of irony, Philip replied: "He showed no foreknowledge that he was (to be murdered / to have been murdered) that day." (A.Chr.) 6. A taxi would be costly, but if she was (to get / to have got) to the airport by 11.00 pm, it was probably the only means. (A.H.) 7. I think she ought (to go / to have gone) away when he got married. I said so. (A.Chr.) 8. John's always complaining about being underpaid. – He ought (to change / to have changed) his job instead of complaining. (B.D.Graver) 9. Our tent was always getting blown down when we were on holiday. – You ought (to stay / to have stayed) at a hotel next time. 10. Our tent was always getting blown down when we were on holiday. – You ought (to stay / to have stayed) at a hotel. 11. We all got soaked in yesterday's downpour. – You should (take / have taken) umbrellas with you. (B.D.Graver) 12. Peter was involved in an accident with his car. He shouldn't (be driving / have been driving) so fast. (B.D.Graver) 13. The introduction of new machinery should (contribute / have contributed) greatly to better profits next year. (B.D.Graver) 14. Our visitors should (arrive / have arrived) long before now. 15. Our visitors were expected (to arrive / to have arrived) long before now. 16. The meeting ought (to finish / to have finished) by now. 17. The meeting was expected (to finish / to have finished) by now. 18. I must add that in addition you will be expected (to aid / to have aided) the Earl with his Russian correspondence. (S.L.)

Exercise 8. Insert the particle to where necessary.

1. Charles's father believes the way ... get information is ... listen. (A.Chr.) 2. "What does Philip do?" "Writes books. Can't ... think why. Nobody wants ... read them." (A.Chr.) 3. If there's trouble I'll stay ... help. I owe it to the Godfather. (M.P.) 4. He cannot ... fix the time with any accuracy. It must ... have been before six, as the gardeners cease work at that time. (A.Chr.) 5. Our tent was always getting blown down when we were on holiday. – You ought ... have stayed at a hotel. 6. The introduction of new machinery should ... contribute greatly to better profits next year. (B.D.Graver) 7. "Well, you can't ... deny that he lied about never having left the study?" "No. But he may ... have been frightened." (A.Chr.) 8. I wished she would ... stop working, but of course she felt it her duty in war time. (A.Chr.) 9. After the Don died, Mike was set up ... be killed. Do you know who set him up? Tessio. So Tessio had ... be killed. Carlo had ... be killed. Because treachery can't ... be forgiven. (M.P.) 10. I never expected ... have ... do it. (D.S.) 11. I did not need ... disturb the old man. He often dozed off about six. (A.Chr.) 12. You needn't ... have told him about our plans. 13. All they need is ... have a good time together. (D.S.) 14. I need hardly ... tell you how badly I feel about her departure. (Longman Dictionary) 15. What I had loved so much about Jenny was her ability ... see inside me, ...understand things I never needed ... carve out in words. (E.S.) 16. Then he needed a perfect valet. He liked his clothes ... be perfectly looked after. (S.M.) 17. You needn't ... work such long hours. 18. She could ... feel her face ... redden. (S.Sh.) 19. At times, Vernon Demerest encouraged Gwen ... talk merely for the joy of hearing her ... speak. (A.H.) 20. When a passenger saw his bag ... disappear at the check-in counter, it went to a room deep below the departure gates. An attendant on duty watched each bag ... arrive. (A.H.)

Exercise 9. Instructions as for 8.

1. By the way, did anyone see you ... enter this apartment? (E.Q.) 2. Suddenly he was amazed ... see Helen ... spring up and ... run after Gooddorf. (F.S.F.) 3. I sat there for a while, watching a neon sign ... blink "Clams and Oysters". (E.S.) 4. Inez had watched too many of her husband's ambitious schemes ... totter and ... collapse ... believe in the likelihood of one more possibility succeeding. (A.H.) 5. I went back to watching my teammates ... try ... hold off Al Redding's determined efforts ... score. (E.S.) 6. He had neither noticed me ... go nor ... come. (S.M.) 7. They were seen ... climb through the window. 8. She saw her parents ... exchange a glance over the table. (M.P.) 9. As I turned, I heard Dean Thompson ... mutter, "That's unfair." (E.S.) 10. He was heard ... unlock the gates. 11. He heard an American Airlines flight departure announcement ... halt abruptly in mid-sentence. (A.H.) 12. He felt her ... creep up like a kitten and ... lay her face against the mark. (J.P.) 13. The pickpocket was observed … take the man's wallet. (B.D.Graver) 14. She said she couldn't ... bear her darling old Aristide ... talk about death. (A.Chr.) 15. My father continued ... address me, and I continued ... stand still and let the cold wind ... slap my face. (E.S.) 16. Her father was incredibly superstitious about letting his only daughter … drive. (E.S.) 17. "Let me ... speak to him on the phone, father to father. I can't ... sit here and allow a parent ... reject a child." "But I reject him too, Phil." "Don't ever let me ... hear you ... talk like that. A father's love is ... be cherished and respected. It's rare." (E.S.) 18. In any case, if you find her, don't let her ... get away from you. (A.H.) 19. He had betrayed her, and nothing would allow her ... forget it. (D.S.) 20. She was not going ... let Robert ... make a fool of himself. (D.S.)

Exercise 10. Insert the particle to where necessary. Pay attention to "splitting the infinitive".Translate the sentences.

1. This construction is very old. But in modern times there has grown the feeling that it is somehow wrong ... thus split an infinitive. (P.Roberts) 2. By and by he came ... so dread Williams and his gilded tongue that he would ... stop talking when he saw him ... approach. (M.T.) 3. It is not enough ... just go repeating something for it ... become true. (D.T.) 4. I wanted ... keep looking at her because I wanted ... never take my eyes from her, but still I had ... lower my eyes. (E.S.) 5. My mother asked me never ... use tobacco. (M.T.) 6. It was useless for our correspondent ... offer ... descend, ... explore the cave to the end, and ... finally test the extraordinary narrative of Dr James Hardcastle. (A.C.D.) 7. That thing in my gut was stirring again, so I was afraid ... even speak the word "okay". I just looked mutely at Jenny. (E.S.) 8. The main idea of the book is ... historically and divinely – from the Divine point of view – impeach the European system of Church and States. (Fowler's Dictionary). 9. ... make a foolish story short, the fraud was discovered. The lawyer friend refused ... help Felix in any manner, refused ... even answer his telephone calls. (M.P.) 10. He knew that it was Nino's success more than his. He resigned himself to never being able ... again sing professionally. (M.P.) 11. But we have ... get an apartment. – What for? – Christie, do you expect me ... always live at the Astor with your two wardrobe trunks in the living room? (J.Sus.) 12. There's nothing worse than for a parent ... ill treat a child. (Longman Dictionary)

Exercise 11. Insert the particle to where necessary. Pay attention to the use of the particle implying the verb already mentioned. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. "Thank you. We'll have ... be going soon." "You are staying for dinner. That's an order." "We can't, sir", I replied. "We have to, Oliver," said Jenny. "Why?" "Because I'm hungry", she said. (E.S.) 2. He understood nothing of what they were saying, and he didn't want ... . (D.S.) 3. "At least tell me about it." "No, Charles, I don't want ... . I don't want you ... see us from my angle. I want you ... see us unbiased from the outside point of view." "And how am I ... do that?" (A.Chr.) 4. "You will give my love to dear Margherita, won't you?" I answered that I would ... be sure ... . (S.M.) 5. "How would you like ... help me ... meddle in the affairs of the mysterious Tarkle sisters?" "I'd love ... . What am I ... do?" (E.Q.) 6. "I shall always ... care for you, Larry." "Then keep it. I should like you ... ." (S.M.) 7. I hadn't any particular wish ... do this, but no reason … refuse, so I said I would be glad ... . (S.M.) 8. Mr Adams considered saying something rude in reply but decided not ... . (M.Dean)

Exercise 12. Insert the particle to where necessary.

1. But – what a fantastic idea. What made you ... think of it? (A.Chr.) 2. His main problem, as he said, was ... get other people ... believe him. (C.W.) 3. He'd better ... get out! (F.S.F.) 4. She had offered ... carry her bag upstairs, but Robert had Marius ... do it. (D.S.) 5. "Don't his books ... pay?" "Of course not. He's supposed ... be a great authority on certain periods and all that. But he doesn't have ... make his books ... pay – his father settled something like a hundred thousand pounds on him! ... avoid death duties! He made them all financially independent." (A.Chr.) 6. His first priority was the protection of Roschmann, one of those he knew ... be on the list taken from Winzer. (F.F.) 7. "Oliver, you're gonna flunk out if you just sit there watching me ... study." "I'm not watching you ... study. I'm studying." (E.S.) 8. As a matter of fact, I have been known ... take a perfectly normal rainy day as a personal insult. (J.S.) 9. I think perhaps I'd better ... go up and ... see that she's all right. (S.M.) 10. "What's this?" she heard Ellery ... say sharply. (E.Q.) 11. Beauty specialists at cosmetics counters are trained ... help you ... see your face from a new perspective. (N.I.) 12. "Don't let her ... get involved in it." (D.S.) 13. "Do you have your own library?" she asked. "Listen, Harvard is allowed ... use the Radcliffe library." (E.S.) 14. Now what makes you ... say that, Charles? (A.Chr.) 15. Why not ... have them both ... do it, and we'll vote on which one to give Pastor Frank? (S.Sh.)

Exercise 13. Translate the sentences into Russian paying attention to the rendering of the infinitive as subject.

1. Now maybe Jenny would understand that to be Oliver Barrett IV doesn't just mean living with that gray stone edifice in Harvard Yard. (E.S.) 2. She must have felt lonely sometimes? To have a companion of more or less her own age living here must have been agreeable to her? (A.Chr.) 3. He thought fast. To hide the pearls under a rock could be risky. It took him only a moment to slide the Ghost Pearls out of the old torch. (A.Hit.) 4. It was tiresome to have to waste time on reporters. (C.W.) 5. It was a relief to get some air after dinner. (D.S.) 6. But it would be a mistake to blame the vampires for all the misfortunes of the human race. (C.W.) 7. It was my turn to interrupt. (A.Chr.) 8. Wasn't it bad to be working on Christmas Eve? Well – less bad than not working at all. (F.S.F.) 9. It's monstrous to suggest things of that kind! (A.Chr.) 10. What happened to Sarah? It must have been the poisoner's plan to kill Euphemia and have it appear that Sarah had killed her – the obvious suspect. (E.Q.) 11. Downstairs it was tough to get a cab, it being theater hour and all. (E.S.) 12. Part of being a big winner is the ability to be a good loser. There is no paradox involved. It's a distinctly Harvard thing to be able to turn any defeat into victory. (E.S.) 13. My son was a sufferer from infantile paralysis and it was not advisable to send him to a public school. (A.Chr.) 14. It drove him crazy to stay with her parents. (D.S.) 15. When it's time to go to church he'll thaw. (E.S.)

Exercise 14. Complete the following using the infinitive as subject: