Infinitive (инфинитив)
Tenses |
Active |
Passive |
Simple |
to be V3/Ved |
to be V3/Ved
|
Continuous |
to be Ving |
-
|
Perfect |
to have V3/Ved |
to have been V3/Ved
|
Perfect Continuous |
to have been Ving |
-
|
Exercise 1. Use these verbs in all the forms of the Infinitive.
To discuss, to transmit, to break, to make, to read, to explain, to do, to cross, to call, to look after, to write, to conduct, to freeze, to grow, to evaporate, to sell, to drive, to design, to operate.
Exercise 2. Name the tense and the voice of the Infinitives in these sentences.
1. I like to read. 2. He seemed to be thinking. 3. She was happy to have received your letter. 4. It can be done. 5. He seemed to have been making these experiments for a long time. 6. They wanted to see his design. 7. You must pay for it. 8. We thought the mistake to have been found. 9. We thought him to be sleeping. 10. I remembered to have seen her somewhere. 11. The solution of the problem must be found. 12. We know him to be working in his room. 13. You must have read this story. 14. We know the test to have been made. 15. I cannot believe you.
Exercise 3. Translate the sentences with the Perfect Infinitive.
1. They were pleased to have found the way. 2. He is happy to have talked to her. 3. I was disappointed to have missed the meeting. 4. We were sorry not to have seen granny. 5. She hoped to have finished her job. 6. Tom was sorry to have disturbed us. 7. I am sorry not to have phoned you. 8. He must have forgotten about it. 9. I am sorry to have taken so much of your time. 10. He could have been killed.
Exercise 4. Use the Infinitives in the correct form.
1. I am glad (to find) you so happy today. 2. This was not meant (to use) by you. 3. He would have been glad (to meet) him when he was here. 4. They want (to come) next month. 5. I was glad (to have) such a good opportunity of seeing the collection. 6. I am glad (to introduce) to you. 7. The baby pretended (to sleep). 8. The woman pretended (to read) and (not to hear) the bell. 9. I hate (to bother) you, but the students are still waiting (to give) books for their work. 10. She hoped (to help) by her friends.
Exercise 5. Translate these sentences with the Infinitive. (attribute)
1. To see it was interesting. 2. To have found our mistake was useful. 3. To tell her the truth is not necessary. 4. It was important to do this task in time. 5. To live a healthy life in the country was good for them. 6. It was nice to be speaking English again. 7. To have met him was an event in my life. 8. To make the experiment is our today’s task. 9. To group these elements is not easy. 10. To go on with this discussion is to waste time.
Exercise 6. Translate these sentences with the Infinitive. (predicate)
1. What he wants is to be left alone. 2. You can do it. 3. He must have gone away. 4. They were to do the work last month. 5. The design can be completed next week. 6. They are to study English to read special literature. 7. Could you tell me the time? 8. The main thing was to get there in time. 9. She needn’t wait.
Exercise 7. Complete these sentences with the Infinitive.
1. Her job will be ___. 2. What they want is ___. 3. His hobby was ___. 4. The only thing to do will be ___. 5. Our dream was ___. 6. The first thing they must do tomorrow is ___. 7. Your only chance is ___. 8. My only wish is ___.
Exercise 8. Translate these sentences with the Infinitive. (object)
1. I don’t want to be seen in such a company. 2. They were pleased to see him. 3. We were astonished to have found her there. 4. He was afraid to be seen with Kate. 5. We are very sorry to have disturbed you. 6. She was glad to be talking to me. 7. She pretended to be reading. 8. He was surprised not to have been recognized. 9. Are you sorry to have missed this possibility? 10. Don’t forget to post the letters.
Exercise 9. Change the sentences using the Infinitive. Translate the sentences.
Example: The problem, which must be discussed at the meeting, requires careful consideration.
The problem to be discussed at the meeting requires careful consideration.
The problem, which must be discussed at the meeting, requires careful consideration. 2. He is the only student who can do it better than Nick. 3. Mrs. Spring will always find something she can complain about. 4. The building, which will be constructed in our district, will be one of the most beautiful ones in our town. 5. The teacher has a few more tests, which must be corrected. 6. The damage which may occur in this case must be prevented. 7. He was not a man who would miss an opportunity like that. 8. The meeting, which will be held tomorrow, will be devoted to this problem. 9. The machine parts, which are to be repaired, will be brought next week. 10. The report includes all the data, which must be discussed. 11. Her mother was the first who kissed her and wished her luck. 12. There were not many children in the neighbourhood who we could play with. 13. He is a man one can trust. 14. There is nothing that we might discuss now. 15. He was the first person who came to the cafe.
Exercise 10. Translate these sentences with the Infinitive. (attribute)
1. He is not a man to do the work well. 2. The text to read is very difficult. 3. In this town there are no monuments to speak of. 4. She had two children to look after. 5. This is the article to be translated into English. 6. There are more words to remember. 7. The problem to be discussed is very important. 8. The next thing to be done is to buy tickets. 9. This is the information to be used. 10. Here are some instructions to be followed. 11. I have one more thing to do.
Exercise 11. Translate the sentences.
1. You are the third to come here. 2. He was the second to cross the finish line. 3. Who was the last to speak to him? 4. You will be the next to answer. 5. She was the first to see the danger. 6. This student will be the last to answer at the exam. 7. He is always the second to answer the topic. 8. They were the last to come.
Exercise 12. Match the columns.
A |
B |
C |
1. Graham Bell 2. James Chadwick 3. Samuel Morse 4. Thomson 5. Lomonosov 6. Newton 7. James Watt 8. Gotlif Daimler and Charles Benz 9. Rudolf Diesel 10. Maxwell 11. Pavlov/Marconi 12. Yablochkov |
was/were the first to |
a) produce a practical telegraph b) discover an electron c) invent the telephone d) to discover neutron e) find the electromagnetic field f) built their first petrol engine g) invent the steam engine h) discover the law of conservation of matter i) discover the laws of motion j) invent an internal combustion engine k) invent the electric candle l) invent the radio |
Was this information new for you? Give some more examples.
Exercise 13. Combine the sentences with the Infinitive of purpose. Example: I am going to England. I want to improve my English.
- I am going to England to improve my English.
1. I’d like to work in the afternoons. I can study in the mornings. 2. I’m enclosing my address in Moscow. You can contact me there if you like. 3. You’d better take a map. You won’t get lost. 4. He’ll give them his telephone number. They can phone him at work. 5. Take some sun cream. Then you won’t get sunburnt. 6. She is going to the post office. She wants to post a parcel. 7. Turn the sound down. I don’t want you to disturb the neighbours. 8. We are installing solar heating. We want to save energy. 9. They are organizing a competition. They want to get money for the local hospital. 10. She went to the supermarket. She wanted to buy something for the party.
Exercise 14. Translate the sentences with the Infinitive of purpose.
He went home to rest. 2. They ran to the river to help us. 3. We study the text to learn more about this phenomenon. 4. She has come here to speak to you. 5. He ran all the way to catch the train. 6. We brought the map to discuss the way of the expedition. 7. He stopped to smoke. 8. To understand this subject you must study well. 9. To understand the rule better I read it several times. 10. She was clever enough to admit it. 11. In order to explain this problem he used many experiments. 12. He went to Africa in order to work in a hospital. 13. They climbed onto the elephants’ backs in order to get a better view. 14. In order to control temperature changes during the experiment, researchers use electronic devices.
Exercise15. Match a place and an activity with the Infinitive of purpose. Match your sentence with the picture.
Example: I will go to Moscow to visit St Basil Cathedral. Picture 11.
Moscow St Petersburg Kamchatka Volgograd Troitsko-Pecherskiy region Dymkovo Tula Veliky Oustyug Yasnay Polyana Siberia Samara |
see Mamayev Kurgan see the Valley of Geysers watch Columns of Erosion take photos of Peterhof visit St Basil Cathedral meet Father Frost visit Leo Tolstoy estate buy toys drink tea from samovar fish in Baikal climb Zhiguli mountains |
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
11
Exercise 16. Match the columns as in the example.
Example: We go to the stationer’s to buy pens and pencils.
A |
B |
C |
stationer’s theatre bookshop library hospital chemist’s art gallery stadium |
buy borrow watch see admire visit
|
pens and pencils books medicine football matches operas and ballets paintings doctors
|
Exercise 17. Translate the sentences with the Infinitive. (subject and adverbial modifier)
To read a book without a dictionary was really impossible. 2. To solve these problems you must know the theorem. 3. To divide something means to separate it into parts. 4. To learn the rule without understanding is useless. 5. To extend the main street of the city they had to destroy some old buildings. 6. To discuss details now means to lose time. 7. To complete the experiment they will stay in the laboratory. 8. To remember new words well you should write them down. 9. To add acids to water is very dangerous. 10. To group chemical elements, you must know their properties. 11. To master English is necessary for his future job. 12. To say ‘no’ to people is hard. 13. To get from here to the embankment you should take a bus. 14. To book the tickets was impossible.
Exercise 18. Translate the sentences with the Infinitive.
A method to be used is very effective. 2. To see molecules under a microscope is impossible. 3. I will be happy to see you again. 4. We wanted to know her daughter’s age. 5. Her son was the first to develop this idea. 6. His name is to be included in this book. 7. In order to stop his friend he ran out of the house. 8. She didn’t want to leave the place. 9. The material to be tested has interesting properties. 10. We study at the university to become qualified specialists. 11. To live is to create. 12. He has come here to ask us about his friend. 13. She is always the first to come to the institute. 14. In order to understand the importance of this event you should know all the facts.
Complex Object
Exercise 1. Change the sentences as in the example. Use Complex Object in your new sentences.
Example: They supposed that the students would obtain good results.
- They supposed the students to obtain good results.
1. They supposed that the students would obtain good results. 2. He never smokes indoors. His wife doesn’t like it. 3. They got off the train at a small station. The porter saw them. 4. I heard how somebody came into the room. 5. Children don’t eat ice cream before meal because mother has forbidden it. 6. Nobody had expected that she would marry so young. 7. The professor found that the article was very interesting. 8. The team will win the game. We are sure of it. 9. He is a truthful boy. They know it. 10. She ordered that the mail should be brought at once.
Exercise 2. Translate these pairs of sentences.
1. We sent a letter yesterday. We knew him to have sent the letter. 2. He was doing nothing. We found him to be doing nothing. 3. She thought the experiment to have been completed. She thought to complete the experiment. 4. I want to translate the text in the evening. I want you to translate the text. 5. They want to come as soon as possible. They want us to come as soon as possible. 6. Our teacher took part in the conference. Our teacher wanted his students to take part in the conference. 7. I want to discuss this problem with you. I want them to discuss the problem now. 8. He thinks to join us. He thinks Mary to join us.
Exercise 3. Translate the sentences.
1. No one doubted us to have done the job well. 2. The assistant watched the students conduct experiments. 3. This accident made me change my mind. 4. We’ve never heard him say so. 5. They didn’t expect me to be back soon. 6. Mother let the children play in the yard. 7. We heard the writer speak about his last book. 8. I expect the team to win the first prize. 9. They saw the plane fly over the field. 10. I like people to tell the truth. 11. No man could predict this success to come in a year. 12. We cannot expect the situation to change so quickly. 13. I know him to be a good engineer. 14. We saw several birds fly to the South.
Exercise 4. Translate the sentences into English with Complex Object.
Mать хотела, чтобы сын написал ей письмо. 2. Она ожидает, что мы получим хорошие результаты. 3. Мне бы хотелось, чтобы мы встретились сегодня. 4. Врач заставил пациента принять лекарство. 5. Преподаватель разрешает нам пользоваться словарями. 6. Мы не ожидали, что он вернется так рано. 7. Я видел, как он помог пожилой женщине перейти дорогу. 8. Мы не слышали, как вы стучали. 9. Он хочет, чтобы работа была сделана немедленно. 10. Дайте мне подумать. 11. Мне бы хотелось, чтобы они навестили нас.
Exercise 5. Insert to where necessary.
1. Charles was the first ___ get up. 2. You had better ___ go home. 3. You needn’t ___be frightened. 4. The teacher told him ___ stop writing. 5. She must ___ leave at once. 6. The policemen saw the thieves ___ run down the street. 7. He made me ___ resign from my job. 8. Don’t let him ___ take all the books. 9. She asked him ___ destroy her letters. 10. I’d love you ___ see my little son. 11. The teacher made me ___ repeat it all over again. 12. Will you help me ___ move this box? 13. She had better ___ make notes of it. 14. There is nothing ___ do but ___wait. 15. We heard the door ___ open. 16. I felt him ___ shiver with cold. 17. He was not able ___ explain anything. 18. You seem ___ know these places very well. 19. He was seen ___ make note of it.
Exercise 6. Use the verbs make, let, do in the gaps.
The teachers ___ the boys work hard so that they all ___ their homework. 2. I’ll ___ you have the book by next Monday. 3. ___ him go, otherwise he’ll stay here the whole evening. 4. This has nothing to ___ with me. 5. ___ give him the money, please. 6. I’ll ___ my best. 7. I always ___ them explain why they used this or that expression. 8. She ___ me wear her dress. 9. You must ___ them take medicine before each meal.
Exercise 7. Make up sentences.
I You My friend The professor My mother … |
want(s) would like expect(s) … |
me students us them her … |
to attend lectures. To help us. To tell me the truth. To invite us to the party. Not to miss lessons. To become an engineer. … |
Exercise 8. What should people do to keep fit?
Example: To keep fit you should go jogging.
Complex Subject
Exercise 1. Translate the sentences.
1. She is known to have been a dancer. 2. He was heard to mention your name. 3. His method is said to be very interesting. 4. The meeting was expected to open at 1o’clock. 5. The enemy was reported to have been beaten. 6. Oil and coal are known to be the main kinds of fuel. 7. The data was thought to be important. 8. Too much radiation is known to be dangerous. 9. She is supposed to have been taken to hospital. 10. They are reported to join our group in a week. 11. The device is assumed to be used in our experiment.
Exercise 2. Translate the sentences.
1. He seems to notice nothing unusual. 2. The painting proved to have been stolen. 3. He seemed to recognize me. 4. The house appeared to have been built in the 18th century. 5. The doctor happened to be there at that time. 6. The group appeared to be discussing the play. 7. The weather seems to become cooler. 8. This book seems to be very popular with the children. 9. They happened to have met that very day.
Exercise 3. Translate the sentences.
1. The man was not likely to make a mistake. 2. Things are sure to get better. 3. The story is unlikely to be remembered. 4. He is likely to get there in time. 5. Fred is certain to do this work. 6. They are unlikely to miss the train. 7. He is sure to have left the key under the doormat. 8. She is not likely to forget her promise. 9. John is sure to be working in the garage. 10. The poem is certain to have been written by this writer. 11. They are unlikely to have any objections to our proposal.
Exercise 4. Translate the sentences into English.
1. Кажется, вода кипит. 2. Ожидают, что они дадут нам ответ завтра. 3. Сообщили, что они закончили строительство дома в срок. 4. Вероятно, мы не придем сегодня. 5. Нас наверняка об этом спросят. 6. Оказывается, они уезжают в мае. 7. Видели, как она писала письмо. 8. Она непременно получит приз за свою картину. 9. Известно, что Лобачевский был крупным математиком своего времени. 10. Оказалось, что он прав.
Exercise 5. Translate the sentences with Complex Object and Complex Subject.
1. This medicine makes me feel better. 2. He heard his door open. 3. He is said to be a sailor in his youth. 4. Mother was sure that fresh air would make children sleep well. 5. We’d like it to be done as quickly as possible. 6. Kate seemed to expect an answer. 7. I want him to leave for Moscow tomorrow. 8. Water was considered by the ancients to be an element. 9. She didn’t seem to notice his unfriendly look. 10. Father let his son drive the car.
Exercise 6. Translate the sentences with the Infinitive in different functions.
We know his discoveries to have produced great changes. 2. He was the first to pass the exam. 3. Gravitation makes water run down the hill. 4. Here are the results to be tested in your laboratory. 5. She was expected to be back any minute. 6. He seemed to be thinking. 7. She wants to read this book. 8. These things are to be left at home. 9. To discuss details now means to lose time. 10. To discuss details you should know the subject well. 11. This plan is likely to be changed. 12. She watched the children cross the street. 13. Lomonosov is known to have started for Moscow on foot. 14. You may translate this text at home. 15. Ernest Rutherford was the first to discover proton. 16. He was not able to explain anything. 17. I let you take my books whenever you like. 18. He seems to know these places very well. 19. Don’t make us laugh. 20. Good bye, Fred. Glad to have been of service to you.
Exercise 7. Translate the sentences.
1. Scientific organizations will try to make a survey of natural resources. 2. It is important for research institutions to coordinate their work. 3. The apparatus to be assembled is very complicated. 4. To distinguish between cause and effect is sometimes difficult. 5. The new equipment is necessary to increase the output of our factory. 6. The air must be compressed to occupy a smaller volume. 7. Real water vapour and steam are known to be completely invisible. 8. All metals are known to consist of minute particles called molecules. 9. We expect the computer to work for at least several hours without a fault. 10. The activity of a radioactive sample may be estimated at any time. 11. The system should be designed to meet information requirements. 12. The system is expected to have wide application.
Exercise 8. Find the Russian equivalents to the following proverbs and quotations.
To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. (Anatole France) 2. We are here on Earth to do good to others. What the others are here for, I don’t know. (W. H. Auden) 3. The best way to predict the future is to invent it. (Alan Kay) 4. How I like to be liked, and what I do to be liked. (Ch. Lamb) 5. Laws were made to be broken. (Ch. North) 6. The last drop makes the cup run over. 7. It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do. (Jerome K. Jerome) 8. Let bygones be bygones. 9. To make both ends meet.