3. Subjective Infinitive (Complex Subject)

The verbs used with Complex Subject

appear

happen

prove

seem

chance

turn out

E.g. Customs seems to have existed in China since Zhou Dynasty.

These machines have proven to be most effective at airports for passenger luggage.

to be likely

to be unlikely

to be sure

to be certain

E.g. They’re sure to clear the Customs.

We’re unlikely to get what we want.

expect	know	state	see
believe	understand	report	hear
suppose	say	consider	think

Note: All these verbs are used in the passive voice

E.g. He is said to have been waiting for this appointment for a few days.

Customs is said to have come into being as long ago as commerce.

Customs drug enforcement activity could be said to be a growing

success.

Exercise 41. Translate into Russian

1. Packages from other individuals have been known to contain contraband or currency, and in such a case, you would be responsible for any penalties that may be assessed.

2. Additional restrictions are expected to be imposed on material from European, Asian, African and Central American countries.

3. Every fruit or vegetable must be declared to the Customs officers and must be presented for inspection, no matter how free of pests it appears to be.

4. If the article is considered to be a textile or apparel product, regardless of whether the textile or apparel product is a good of a NAFTA country, the country of origin is determined by the general rules set forth in 19 CFR section 102.21.

5. If the cat does not seem to be in good health, the owner may have to pay for an additional examination by a licensed veterinarian.

6. As for Russia’s Customs service its officers have turned out to be more effective as they intercepted 2 thousand kg of various drugs during the last 11 months.

7. The interaction is likely to lead to an exchange of stockpiles of cocaine with the abundance of heroin produced in Asia.

8. A branch of Serbian mafia is known to be operating in Austria, as well as a Turkish and Iranian ring.

9. The western hemisphere seems to be the area of greatest concentration for funneling proceeds from the illegal drug economy.

10. Purveyors of such merchandise have been known to offer phony export certificates, and again, prospective buyers should be aware that Customs inspectors are expert at spotting fraudulent export certificates that accompany cultural property.

Exercise 42. Paraphrase the sentences using Complex Subject

A

1. It seems Customs has come to mean many things to many people.

2. It seems the collection of revenue and the control of trade are almost as old as man himself.

3. It seemed that the discussion was coming to an end.

4. It seems that Customs was the parent or forerunner of a number of Federal agencies.

5. It seemed that the film was involved in the illegal export of US computer technology.

6. It appeared that the five individuals arrested in the UK are presently awaiting trial on charges of violating British export law.

7. It so happened that couriers have agreed to co-operate with enforcement agencies.

8. It proved that my prediction was correct.

9. It turned out that the language of the article was quite easy.

10. It seemed there was nothing to add to the declared articles.

B

1. It is likely that this situation will require close co-operation with other government agencies.

2. It is not very likely that he will change his opin­ion.

3. It was certain that they would come to an understanding.

4. It seemed unlikely that questions of the kind should crop up.

5. We are sure that everything will turn out all right.

6. It is certain that the drug trade will continue to be an insidious threat to the economies and societies of every world region.

7. I am certain that these tasks will be made easier by the use of modern technologies.

8. It is very likely that the examination will discover a few packs of opium.

9. It was certain that inspectors would examine this passenger’s luggage carefully because of his suspicious behavior.

10. It seemed unlikely that the examination would result in the detection of any drug.

C

1. It is known that illegal drug taking has increased approximately 60 times in Russia over the last ten years.

2. They say that a lot of people who live along here are involved in smuggling.

3. They believe that an ambassador used his diplomatic immunity to smuggle narcotic.

4. They kept me waiting at the door for a full five minutes.

5. Through the open window we heard a dog barking at the suspicious traveler.

6. We saw parts of a broken raft carried by the water.

7. They found the door locked and the warehouse deserted.

8. Whom do you consider responsible for forging the invoice and the bill of lading?

9. Now we may consider the problem settled.

10. We left the container locked and sealed.

Exercise 43. Supply the appropriate form of the infinitive

1. Such Customs officers are known ... (to locate) on common frontiers.

2. The Customs is reported … (to interdict) large quantity of drugs.

3. It became clear that Charles was still idle. He seemed ... (to read) scarcely any law.

4. The boat seems ... (to be) missing for about three weeks.

5. He appeared ... (to forget that they had had the first serious difference of opinion in the last few years.)

6. Despite all efforts and successes of Customs service and Police around the world, there does not appear … .(to be) any let up in the illicit drug trade

7. Not going home, in fact, seemed lately ... (to become) the pattern of his life.

8. A thorough examination is said …(to result) in the detection of 3500 tablets of psychotropic substance.

9. It seemed ... (to snow) in the room. The floor, the chairs, the desk were covered in drifts of white. It was torn paper.

10. She leant far over the banister and strained her ears. All the family seemed ... (to talk) at once.

11. Charles met me the first day I came to London, and our friendship seemed ... (to establish) a long time.

12. He did not even seem ... (to understand) what the fuss was about.

13. When I arrived there I didn't see the dog. Not much else seemed ... (to change).

14. The drug smugglers are likely … (to use) their knowledge of enforcement control and processing by Customs to attempt to identify weaknesses in Customs operations.

15. This type of transport is believed … (to use) for the smuggling of cocaine, particularly for shipments from the Americas.

Exercise 44. Translate into English

1. Известно, что контрабанде оружия из России, как правило, предшествует его хищение из воинских частей.

2. Сообщают, что выявлены факты контрабанды ядерных, радиоактивных и других веществ, представляющих огромную общественную опасность.

3. Похоже, что это хищение совершено с целью контрабанды.

4. Полагают, что контрабанда позволяет уходить от уплаты таможенных платежей и получать от преступной деятельности максимальную прибыль.

5. Кажется, в отношении лиц, совершивших перемещение огнестрельного оружия, уголовное дело по признакам контрабанды было приостановлено.

6. Известно, что наркотики, производимые из опиума, ранее практически не доходили до жителей Приморья, но, похоже, сейчас это уже не большая редкость.

7. Сообщают, что в последнее время в Приморье происходит увеличение количества лиц, распространяющих и потребляющих синтетические наркотики.

8. Известно, что деятельность стран – участников ASEAN по борьбе с контрабандой наркотиков постоянно расширяется.

9. Около тонны гашиша было случайно обнаружено в грузе, следовавшим транзитом из Афганистана в Голландию. Наверняка спецслужбы проведут контролируемую поставку.

10. Как оказалось, успех борьбы с контрабандой возможен лишь при наличии целостной системы контроля за возможным перемещением наркотиков через государственную границу России.