- •Введение
- •Contents
- •General notion
- •In informal English we can put an adverb between to and the infinitive (it is a so-called split infinitive).
- •Tense and aspect distinctions of the infinitive
- •3. The Perfect Infinitive denotes an action prior to that expressed bу the finite verb.
- •Voice disтinctions of тhe infiniтive
- •In sentences with the construction ‘there is’ the Infinitive of some verbs can be active or passive without any change in meaning:
- •You are silly not to trust them. Тhe use of тhe infiniтive wiтhout тhe parтicle ‘то’ (тhe bare infiniтive)
- •1. Subject. Non-perfect infinitives are more common in this function.
- •It is not necessary to tell her the details.
- •It takes me a couple of hours to cook this dish.
- •4. А part of a compound verbal predicate.
- •I like to see the children enjoying themselves.
- •I’m glad to meet you.
- •I’m glad to have met you.
- •I’m glad to be told the news.
- •I’m lucky to have met you there.
- •I find it difficult to talk to you.
- •I don’t know what to do.
- •I have no desire to see him again.
- •It’s a nice opportunity to see London.
- •7. Adverbial modifier.
- •If to do it properly the result will be better.
- •Predicative constructions with the infinitive
- •The objecтive- wiтh- the-infiniтive construcтion
- •I found her very interesting.
- •The subjective infinitive construction
- •I happened to meet her again some time later.
- •It is certain to rain tonight.
- •Questions for self-control
- •Exercises forms of the infinitive Ex. 1 What verbal and nominal properties have the Infinitive forms in the sentences below?
- •Ex. 2 Read the sentences below. Speak on the tense and aspect distinctions of the Infinitives used in the sentences.
- •Ex. 3 Read the sentences. What can you say about the use of the Infinitive forms in them? Translate the sentences into Russian.
- •Bare infinitive
- •I would prefer you to go on foot. – I’d rather you went on foot.
- •Syntactic functions of the infinitive
- •1. Subject
- •2. Predicative
- •3. Secondary predicative
- •4. Attribute
- •5. Part of a compound verbal modal predicate
- •6. Part of a compound verbal aspect predicate
- •It has started to rain.
- •7. Object
- •I am sorry to trouble you.
- •8. Adverbial modifier of purpose
- •9. Adverbial modifier of result or consequence
- •10. Adverbial modifier of comparison
- •I have only а few minutes to spare.
- •2) She plays the piano well. She cаn give concerts. –
- •Predicative constructions with the infinitive
- •I’m sure you have met these people before. –
- •I believe her to know all the details. –
- •It’s nice that you have come to see us. – It’s nice of you to come to see us.
- •Subject
- •Adverbial modifier of purpose
- •General revision
- •(10 Points)
- •(20 Points)
- •(15 Points)
- •(15 Points)
- •(30 Points)
- •(20 Points)
- •(10 Points)
- •Glossary
- •Selected bibliography
- •Books used for examples
- •Инфинитив
- •344082, Г. Ростов-на-Дону, ул. Большая Садовая, 33.
I’m lucky to have met you there.
He is eager to help us.
In some sentences the object expressed by an infinitive is introduced by the introductory it (a preparatory object):
We find it impossible to accept your offer.
He considered it necessary to consult a doctor.
I find it difficult to talk to you.
Infinitive phrases “a conjunctive pronoun / adverb + Infinitive” are often used in the function of object after the verbs introducing indirect speech:
I don’t know what to do.
Tell me where to go.
The Infinitive is а part of а complex object when it is а part of the Objective-with-the Infinitive construction.
We stood and watched them approach.
6. Attribute. Infinitives in this function are used in post-position. Both active and passive forms of the Indefinite are used. Though indefinite active forms are more common, in most cases active and passive infinitives are used without any difference in meaning:
Who was the first to mention it?
There is nothing to see in this town.
There is a lot of work to do / to be done.
In the following sentence the use of the passive infinitive has modal meaning:
There is nothing to be done. – Ничего не поделаешь.
There are a number of nouns that are often followed by infinitives, such as: attempt, decision, desire, need, opportunity, place, pleasure, reason, time, wish.
I have no desire to see him again.
It’s a nice opportunity to see London.
The best time to meet them is tomorrow evening.
7. Adverbial modifier.
а) Of purpose (Indefinite infinitives are used).
The infinitive can be introduced by the conjunctions in order, so as.
She went to London (in order) to see its museums.
They hurried so as to be there first.
b) Of result (all forms of the infinitives are used).
It performs this function after adjectives and adverbs modified by the adverbs too, enough and their synonyms.
She is too young to understand these things.
She is old enough to have grandchildren.
It can also be introduced by the conjunction as.
The water was so cold as to make swimming quite impossible.
How could he have been such an idiot as to trust them in the first place?
Will you be so kind as to let me in?
The infinitive can also describe a result or something surprising, especially with only and verbs such as find, discover, realise, etc.
He looked around only to discover that he was alone.
с) Of comparison or manner (Indefinite infinitives)
The infinitive is introduced by the conjunctions as if, as though.
He shook his head as if to say “don’t trust her”.
d) Of condition (Indefinite infinitives are used).
The infinitive can be introduced by the conjunction if.
To hear him talk, you will take him for a boss.
If to do it properly the result will be better.
8. Parenthesis.
The following infinitive phrases are used in this function: to cut а long story short, to say the least (of it), to tell (you) the truth, to speak the truth, to say nothing of, to crown it all, to begin with, so to speak, to put it bluntly, to put it mildly, to put it in another way, and others.
Well, to begin with, he shouldn’t even have been driving my car.
To put it bluntly, Robert’s just not good enough for the job.