Grammar The Nominative-with-the-Infinitive Construction (Complex Subject)

The Nominative-with-the-Infinitive construction is a construction in which the infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the nominative case.

He was seen to cross the street. Видели, как он переходил улицу.

This construction has no single function in the sentence; its nominal element is the subject of the sentence and the verbal one is a part of the Compound Verbal Modal predicate of special type.

This construction has two models - with the predicate in the Passive voice and with the predicate in the Active voice.

1. Model I - the predicate is in the Passive voice.

This model can be used with the following categories of verbs:

1. Verbs of sense perception.

She was heard to sing merrily in the garden.  Было слышно, как она весело напевает в саду.

Only the Indefinite Infinitive Active is used here.

2. Verbs of mental activity – to know, to consider, to suppose, to believe, etc.

All forms of the Infinitive can be used here.

He is known to have been rich once. Известно, что когда-то он был очень богат.

They are believed to be working at a new secret weapon. Предполагают, что они работают над новым секретным оружием.

He is considered to have been living here for many years. Считают, что он живет здесь уже много лет.

3. Verbs of information - to say, to report, to inform, to proclaim, to declare, to announce, etc. All forms of the Infinitive can be used here.

He is said to have been madly in love with an actress. Говорили, что он раньше был безумно влюблен в актрису.

He was declared the enemy of the people. Он был объявлен врагом народа.

4. Verbs of order and compulsion – to order, to make, to force, to compel, etc.

The monument was ordered to be built in the place of the battle. Было приказано возвести монумент на месте сражения.

Verbs Frequently Used in the Passive:

to believe — полагать, считать	to say — говорить
to suppose — предполагать, полагать	to show - показывать
to think — считать, полагать	to report — сообщать
to consider to hold >— считать to take	to announce — объявлять
to assume -- допускать, предполагать	to state — утверждать, констатировать
to know — знать (известно)	to claim - утверждать, считать
to intend — иметь в виду, предполагать	to hold — считать
to mean — полагать, считать	to suffer — терпеть, допускать (чтобы)
to expect — ожидать, полагать, предполагать	to pronounce — объявлять, провозглашать
to estimate — подсчитывать	to find обнаруживать, оказываться
to prove — Доказывать	to see — видеть
	to observe — наблюдать
	to feel — чувствовать, ощущать

Model II - the predicate is in the Active voice.

2. With the expressions to be sure = to be certain, to be likely, to be unlikely expressing somebody's supposition. All forms of the Infinitive can be used here.

He is unlikely to marry her. Навряд ли он женится на ней.

He is sure to have told them about it. Он наверняка сказал им об этом.

He is likely to have borrowed some money from his friends. Похоже, что он одолжил денег  у своих друзей.

He is sure to be cramming now. Наверняка он сейчас зубрит.

3. With three pairs of synonymic verbs – to seem = to appear – казаться, to prove = to turn out – оказываться, to happen = to chance – случаться.

All forms of the Infinitive can be used here except the last pair where the actions are always simultaneous and so the Indefinite and the Continuous only can be used.

He seems to know about our plans. Кажется, он знает о наших планах.

He proved to have been a famous sportsman once. Оказывается, однажды он был известным спортсменом.

I happened to remember his telephone number. Я случайно запомнил его телефонный номер.

I happened to be passing her window at that moment. Случилось так, что в тот момент я как раз проходил мимо ее окна.

Exercise 1. Underline the Complex Subject. Identify the nominal element and the infinitive.

Example: He was seen to unlock the door. He - nominal element; to unlock - the infinitive.

7. The problems never really seemed to affect his mode of life.

8. The criminal is unlikely to rob the bank.

9. He was seen to be developing the film.

10. If you through mud, you are sure to slip in it.

11. She was heard to phone her friend.

12. In democracies the people seem to act as they please.

13. The new editor is supposed to take care of the staff.

14. They are expected to solve all the family problems.

15. Her ex-husband is believed to be living in Rome.

16. The article is known to have been published abroad.

Exercise 2. Write sentences using Complex Subject as in the example.

Example: People say that he is a criminal.

He is said to be a criminal. 

1. They say that he is a strict disciplinarian.

2. People believe that he is in favor of the change.

3. People say that this plant is a remedy for cancer.

4. They say that his company is in trouble.

5. They told us not to come back.

6. They say that these kinds of dogs are very aggressive.

7. They did not allow me to visit my husband.

Exercise 3. Match parts to make up the Complex Subject sentences.

The students are likely	to be emotionally fragile
My co-workers are supposed	to be a messy child
Julia’s little son seems	to be very boring and monotonous
My job appeared	to be a close-knit family
The Browns proved	to be doing well
All my classmates are said	to have arrived
The American delegation is reported	to be sent to Boston University
Robert applied for a job but happened	to consult our foreign partners
Little children are supposed	to visit us this year
Our friends are unlikely	to make a negative impression at the interview

Exercise 4. Join the elements of the Complex Object structure. Use the proper form of the verb.

Example: He – to fall in love with her (to be sure).

He is sure to fall in love with her.

1. They - to enjoy the film (to appear).

2. Tom – to catch the train (to happen).

3. Ann – to be married (to be reported).

4. She – to have lost her money (to turn out).

5. Her classmates – to be having a test (to seem).

6. Jill – to have been badly injured in a car accident (to be said).

7. The concert – to begin at 8. (to be supposed)

8. Her husband – to get a pay increase next month (to be expected).

9. Your sister – to behave foolishly (to be thought).

10. Her visa – to be no longer valid (to be found).

Exercise 5. Look at the list of verbs and use the most suitable verbs in the following sentences:

Example: The Prime Minister_____________ to have addressed the nation.

The Prime Minister is reported to have addressed the nation.

1. The commander-in-chief_____________ to have been awarded an order.

2. The Prime Minister _____________ to have visited Siberia.

3. Bessie’s husband _____________ to have been travelling around the United States for a month.

4. A hotel receptionist _____________ to register the visitors at the hotel.

5. The Beatles _____________ to have been the most popular group of all times.

6. The storm _____________ to be approaching and _____________ to be causing much damage.

7. The eruption of Vesuvius _____________ to have destroyed Pompeii.

8. The balloon _____________ to be launched in the air.

Exercise 6. Paraphrase the sentences. Use the Complex Subject structure.

Example: The boy is sure (to punish)for what he’s done.

The boy is sure to be punished for what he’s done.

1. I happened (to pass) by your house when I heard the noise.

2. Where’s Jim? He seems (to leave).

3. You look so flushed. You seem (to run) high temperature.

4. It’s so nice here. Everybody seems (to enjoy) the party.

5. The storm is reported (to cause) much damage and (to kill) many people.

6. The public was reported (to give) a warm reception to the pop group.

7. This was the moment that seemed (to mark) the start of the interview.

8. Our yachtsman Konyukhov is said (to visit) many countries around the world.

9. The weather isn’t likely (to change) for the better today.

10. She seemed (to listen) carefully to what he said.

Exercise 7. Paraphrase the sentences. Use to be supposed to …

Example: Before dialing the number at the public phone put the money in the slot.

You are supposed to put the money first, then dial the number.

1. In England people waiting for a bus queue up.

2. Visitors to Moscow must register at the police station as soon as they arrive.

3. The film is not to be watched by children under sixteen.

4. The doctor prescribed this medicine to me and I must take it.

5. You should not leave your things in public places.

6. The grass is fresh and green. Don’t walk on it.

7. I’ve bought this soup powder. But how can I cook it?

8. When you get on the bus you must pay the conductor at once.

9. What sort of uniform must I wear at this job?

Exercise 8. You are planning a trip to London. What are you expected to do? Use the suggested words and phrases.

Example: to choose a flight – First of all, I am expected to choose the most suitable flight.

To choose an airline, to get a visa, to look up the time-table, to make a reservation, to book a ticket beforehand, to pack the luggage, to the taxi to the airport, to go through the customs, to submit the passport at the passport control, to check (by the security service), to go to the departure lounge and wait there till the flight is announced, to have a good book to read during the flight.

PART 2

A Budget of Articles on Selected Topics

Unit1. Politics

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