Неличные формы глагола (Practical tasks)

8. The infinitive used as an adverbial modifier of time denotes an action which marks out the moment of time to which or at which the action of the predicate is performed. Very often it has a secondary meaning of condition. The position of the infinitive is fixed, it always follows the predicate it modifies. Its form is non-perfect, common

aspect, active:

e.g. His father lived to be ninety. (lived till he was …)

Go away! I shudder to see you here. (I shudder when I see …)

9. The infinitive used as an adverbial modifier of cause or motivation refers to a compound nominal predicate with the predicative

expressed by an adjective, a noun, or a prepositional phrase denoting someone’s qualities (intellectual qualities, morals, etc. The infinitive

denotes an action which serves as a cause or a motivation on which this or that characterization is based. In this function it follows the predicate. All the forms of the infinitive are possible:

e.g. She was silly to come here. (She came here, and it was silly of

her.)

They’re out of their mind to have sent you here! (They have sent you here, so one can think them out of their minds.)

The Infinitive as Parenthesis

The infinitive as parenthesis is used with the particle to. It is generally a set phrase, such as to tell the truth, to begin with, to be sure,

to make matters worse, to make a long story short, to crown all, to be more precise, to say nothing of…, so to speak, strange (needless) to

say, to be (quite) frank, to make matters worse, to put it mildly (crudely), to say the least and some others.

The infinitive phrase as parenthesis serves either to show the speaker’s attitude towards the situation described in the sentence or to

attract attention to some fact or to sum up an idea, and, last but not least, it may serve as some sort of reservation on the part of the speaker. The place of the parenthetic phrase in the sentence is not fixed though it is actually often found at the head of the sentence. In writing it is marked off by a comma:

e.g. To tell the truth, I’m sick and tired of this nonsense.

To make matters worse, it began to rain and soon we got wet to

the skin.

21

► FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES

Exercise 1. Define noun and verb characteristics of the infinitive:

1. It was impossible to explain all this to Philip and he was sobbing still. (W.S. Maugham) 2. When Mary Ann came in and Mrs. Carey rose to help her lay the cloth, Philip took the book in his hands and hurried through the illustrations. (W.S. Maugham) 3. He began to think of the difference between himself and others. (W.S. Maugham) 4. It would be pleasant to end up his school-days with glory and then go to Oxford. (W.S. Maugham) 5. Philip was so glad to have gained the last three months that he did not mind the extra term. (W.S. Maugham) 6. He opened his mouth to reply, then closed it again. (S. King) 7. It was probably good advice, but it was hard advice to follow. (S. King) 8. To

give away pride and hate is to say you will change for the good of the world. (S. King) 9. “May I make your pipe?” she asked. (G. Greene) 10. You cannot love without intuition. (G. Greene) 11. They’ll probably remember – they had to get me change. (G. Greene) 12. “But he’s going to marry me,” she said. “Soon now.” (G. Greene) 13. The women went

into the houses to their work, and the children began to play, but cautiously at first. (J. Steinbeck) 14. German Harry refused to go with them. (W.S. Maugham) 15. In the car Julia had done all she could to put

him at ease, but he was still very shy. (W.S. Maugham) 16. With the experienced actress’s instinct to fit the gesture to the word, by a

movement of her neat head she indicated the room through which she had just passed. (W.S. Maugham) 17. He said that during those three years he had seen such terrible things that he had a horror of his fellowmen and wished never to live with them again. (W.S. Maugham) 18. He

has a whale boat and used to go fishing in it, but now he is no longer strong enough to manage its unwieldy bulk. (W.S. Maugham) 19. That’s why I was so crazy to get this job. You can’t think how it thrills me. (W.S. Maugham) 20. I suppose you’ve never had anything to do with the theatre from the inside before?” she said.” (W.S. Maugham)

Exercise 2. State the syntactic function of the infinitive:

1. To take him seriously would be absurd. (G. Greene) 2. Working

on a newspaper one does not learn the way to break bad news, and even now I had to think of my paper and to ask her, “Do you mind stopping at the cable office?” (G. Greene) 3. She left him alone, and went to get

Annie a spin of toffee. (D.H. Lawrence) 4. His features were regular,

22

and it was possible to imagine that in his youth he had been goodlooking. (W.S. Maugham.) 5. It was her turn to laugh quickly. (D.H. Lawrence) 6. She picked up a cocoanut and shook it, to see if it had any milk. (D.H. Lawrence) 7. It was not enough for him just to be near her. (D.H. Lawrence) 8. She went very white, and was unable to speak. (D.H. Lawrence) 9. I had no need to fix my attention on any particular person. (W.S. Maugham) 10. It would be brutal to look with anything but kindliness at an author who takes so much trouble to persuade the world at large to read books that he honestly considers so well worth reading. (W.S. Maugham) 11. Her voice was so weak that it seemed to come already from a great distance. (W.S. Maugham) 12. He wished to

make the most of his opportunity. (W.S. Maugham) 13. To collect books was Mr. Carey’s only passion, and he never went into Tercanbury

without spending an hour or two in the second-hand shop. (W.S. Maugham) 14. They evidently expected him to go quickly. (S. King) 15.

Peter bent down a little so he could watch the cop settle the hat on his head. (S. King) 16. It’s no good trying to keep up old friendships. (W.S.

Maugham.) 17. Of course, I told myself, he might have been detained for some reason at the American Legation. (G. Greene) 18. I thought of several ironic and unpleasant jests I might make, but neither her English nor her French would have been good enough for her to understand the

irony, and, strange to say, I had no desire to hurt her or even to hurt myself. (G. Greene) 19. As I laid it down [the pipe], I said, “Nothing to worry about at all.” (G. Greene) 20. One had to keep one’s dignity. (G.

Greene) 21. To pursue his secret has something of the fascination of a detective story. (W.S. Maugham) 22. At six forty-five I walked down to the quay to watch the American planes unloaded. (G. Greene) 23. He looked at himself in the mirror and tried to repress a smile. (N. Hornby) 24. The fact is, one grows out of people, and the only thing is to face it. (W.S. Maugham) 25. No one is more anxious to improve himself than he and he hopes he is still capable of learning. (W.S. Maugham) 26. He

cupped his hand to mask the lighting of a cigarette while he watched. (C. Forbes) 27. She’d said it as if it would make him feel better, but of course it hadn’t helped at all, and he couldn’t understand how on earth

she thought it might. (N. Hornby)

23

Exercise 3. Translate the sentences into English. Use the infinitive in the function of:

• subject

1. Самой неотложной задачей для него было прочитать эту книгу к

экзамену. 2. Не в моих силах было выполнить это условие. 3. Встреча с ней казалась хорошим завершением дня. 4. Было очень приятно вспомнить наши школьные годы. 5. Заставить его согласиться пойти на такой риск было моей обязанностью.

• object

1. Они договорились навестить больную бабушку на следующий день. 2. Я сделал все возможное и все-таки сумел разубедить ее не

делать этого. 3. В тот момент Мэри не могла позволить себе купить машину. 4. Майк забыл вовремя вернуть книгу в библиотеку, поэтому ему пришлось заплатить штраф. 5. Он никак не мог решиться сообщить отцу о своем провале на экзамене по математике, так как он знал, что это его очень расстроит.

• attribute

1. Фред был полон желания отомстить своему другу за все его грехи. 2. Он как раз тот человек, на которого вообще не стоит надеяться. 3. У тебя есть что-нибудь почитать? У меня в запасе еще

целый час свободного времени. 4. Неудивительно, что он первым нашел решение данной проблемы. 5. Ты не имеешь права задавать мне такой вопрос, Джордж!

• adverbial modifier of result

1. Мне достаточно было взглянуть на маму, чтобы знать ответ. 2. Она достаточно опытна, чтобы выполнить эту работу в срок. 3. Я слишком привязана к своему ребенку, чтобы отказывать ему в чем-

то. 4. Питер достаточно догадлив, чтобы понять, о чем его родители разговаривали с соседом. 5. Она была слишком взволнована, чтобы продолжить беседу с подругой.

• adverbial modifier of purpose

1. Он оделся и вышел купить утреннюю газету. 2. Я молчал, чтобы дать ему время подумать. 3. Сара взяла такси, чтобы не опоздать на поезд. 4. Я вошла в комнату, чтобы посмотреть, готовы ли дети. 5. Ей понадобилось двадцать минут, чтобы справиться с грамматическим заданием.

24

Exercise 4. Translate the sentences into Russian:

1. She held the needle in her hand and looked up at me like a child trying to concentrate, frowning. (G. Greene) 2. The men in the fields

looked up at the clouds and sniffed at them and held wet fingers up to sense the wind. (J. Steinbeck) 3. “You may as well wait upstairs,” I said. “He will be coming soon.” (G. Greene) 4. He was absolutely fixed in his

determination to stay, entirely by himself, in that lonely place. (W.S. Maugham) 5. Trebucket is a low island, perhaps a mile round, covered with coconuts, just raised above the level of the sea and surrounded by a reef so that it can be approached only on one side. (W.S. Maugham) 6. I cannot say that he was pleased to see us. (W.S. Maugham) 7. He told me he never expected a theatre to be run on such business-like lines. (W.S. Maugham) 8. He says the way some of those firms in the city keep their accounts is enough to turn your hair grey. (W.S. Maugham) 9. They lived in Stanhope Place, and when they arrived Julia told the butler to show the young man where he could wash his hands. (W.S. Maugham) 10. Margery gave him his black Homburg hat and opened the door for Julia and Michael to go out. (W.S. Maugham) 11. And the women came out of the houses to stand beside their men – to feel whether this time the men would break. (J. Steinbeck) 12. On it stood in a massive silver frame a photograph of herself and to balance it a photograph of Roger, their son. (W.S. Maugham) 13. This is the

gentleman who is good enough to put some order into the mess we make of our accounts. (W.S. Maugham) 14. “If you’d like to come and see our play,” Julia said graciously, “I’m sure Michael will be delighted to give you some seats.” (W.S. Maugham) 15. In the great days of the English stage people didn’t go to see the plays, they went to see the players.

(W.S. Maugham) 16. She did it, if not mechanically, from an instinctive desire to please. (W.S. Maugham) 17. Instructions from his local board were that he was to complete his studies in Zurich and take a degree as he had planned. (F.S. Fitzgerald) 18. At the beginning of 1917, when it was becoming difficult to find coal, Dick burned for fuel almost a hundred textbooks. (F.S. Fitzgerald) 19. The lad began hastily to lay the table, and directly the three sat down. (D.H. Lawrence) 20. She scarcely knew her neighbors yet, and knew no one with whom to trust the little girl. (D.H. Lawrence) 21. We had been driven by bad weather to take

shelter and had spent a couple of days at an island on the way. (W.S. Maugham) 22. “To speak plainly,” Vigot said, “I am not altogether sorry. He was doing a lot of harm.” (G. Greene) 23. Men and women

25

huddled in their houses, and they tied handkerchiefs over their noses when they went out, and wore goggles to protect their eyes. (J.

Steinbeck) 24. The weeds grew darker green to protect themselves, and they did not spread any more. (J. Steinbeck) 25. “God save us always,” I said. “from the innocent and the good.” (G. Greene) 26. These consisted in a form to be filled up with the applicant’s name, age and school.

(W.S. Maugham) 27. Women and children knew deep in themselves that no misfortune was too great to bear if their men were whole. (J. Steinbeck) 28. There she stood, trying to soothe herself with the scent of

flowers and the fading, beautiful evening. (D.H. Lawrence) 29. “Of course it’s not a bad little play, it’s served our purpose very well, but I can’t imagine anyone wanting to see it three times.” (W.S. Maugham)

30. He was somberly curious to know what I was doing in these seas. (W.S. Maugham)

Exercise 5. Insert the infinitive with the particle to before it where necessary. Pay attention to the form of the infinitive. Translate the sentences into Russian:

1. They were quite content (to give) a leg up to a man who would never climb so high as (to be) an obstacle to themselves. (W.S. Maugham) 2. Phuong lit the gas stove and began (to boil) the water for

tea. (G. Greene) 3. I used (to think) that one day I should write a really great novel, but I’ve long ceased even (to hope) for that. (W.S. Maugham) 4. “You had better (to stay) here tonight,” I said. (G. Greene)

5. I saw that she was doing her hair differently, allowing it (to fall) black and straight over her shoulders. (G. Greene) 6. His sunburn made his blue eyes (to look) very pale. (W.S. Maugham) 7. But it was unnecessary (to impart) such tedious details to a young man whose name even they did not know. (W.S. Maugham) 8. Towards the end of the term two or three boys caught scarlet fever, and there was much talk of sending them all home in order (to escape) an epidemic. (W.S. Maugham) 9. He looked more than ever out of place: he should (to stay) at home. (G. Greene) 10. But when Mrs. Carey came to the dining-room and was about (to go) in, she heard a sound that made her (to stop)

suddenly. (W.S. Maugham) 11. They evidently expected him (to go) quickly. (W.S. Maugham) 12. Mr. Perkins and Philip’s uncle tried their

best (to make) Philip (to stay) at school but at last they gave in. (W.S. Maugham) 13. Peter bent down a little so he could watch the cop (to settle) the hat on his head. (S. King) 14. They tend (to believe) there is a

26

“secret formula” to writing a commercially successful novel, but there isn’t. (S. King) 15. The police-car blasted by, making the Acura which belonged to Peter’s sister (to rock) in its backwash. (S. King) 16. There

was nothing (to look at) but desert, foothills, and leagues of blue sky. (S. King) 17. It only required a little more persuasion, just enough (to save) his self-respect. (W.S. Maugham) 18. He seemed (to think) over what he wanted (to say). (W.S. Maugham) 19. He was not the boy (to accept) a situation without putting it into words. (W.S. Maugham) 20. She saw him (to hurry) to the door, heard the bolt (to chock). (D.H. Lawrence)

Exercise 6. Use the required form of the infinitive in brackets. Insert the particle to where necessary. Translate the sentences into

Russian:

1. Phuong on the other hand was wonderfully ignorant: if Hitler had come into the conversation she would have interrupted (to ask) who he

was. (G. Greene) 2. Pyle knows I smoke a few pipes before bed, and he doesn’t want (to disturb) me. (G. Greene) 3. He seemed (to occupy) with

nothing but his food, his dogs and his chickens. (W.S. Maugham) 4. Julia noticed that he seemed (to look) at the sideboard and with her engaging smile, leaned forward. (W.S. Maugham) 5. Some distance away could (to hear) the first small braying of a merry-go-round, and

the tooting of a horn. (D.H. Lawrence) 6. She remembered (to hate) her father’s overbearing manner towards her gentle, humorous, kindly-

souled mother. (D.H. Lawrence) 7. The next day she went down (to see) his mother. (D.H. Lawrence) 8. He must never (to allow) himself (to forget). (W.S. Maugham) 9. It was impossible for me now (to persuade) myself that this urgent desire of his (to dispense) hospitality was disinterested. (W.S. Maugham) 10. His career might well (to serve) as a model for any young man entering upon the pursuit of literature. (W.S. Maugham) 11. That of course is what he would like (to do) if he had the courage. (W.S. Maugham) 12. Hypocrisy cannot (to practice) at spare moments; it is a whole-time job. (W.S. Maugham) 13. Barrymore made no attempt (to conceal) the sarcasm. (C. Forbes) 14. He had noticed that people really do not want (to bother) with the wives of authors and painters. (W.S. Maugham) 15. It was a necessary precaution. They could (to return) (to find) the wheels missing. (C. Forbes) 16. He turned the next corner, walking more slowly, trying (to make) no sound. (C. Forbes) 17. He hustled down the steps (to confront) the new arrival. (C. Forbes) 18. She had never seen him (to cry). And now she realized that

27

his calmness was some instinctive shame of showing his feelings: he hid himself (to weep). (W.S. Maugham) 19. He had (to call) two or three times before he would come to his dinner. (W.S. Maugham) 20. He could not (to bother) about them when there was something infinitely more important (to occupy) him. (W.S. Maugham)

Exercise 7. Make up the sentences using the following set phrases, where infinitive is used as parenthesis:

to tell the truth, to begin with, to be sure, to make matters worse, to

make a long story short, to crown all, to be more precise, to say nothing of…, so to speak, strange (needless) to say, to be (quite) frank, to make

matters worse, to put it mildly (crudely), to say the least.

Exercise 8. Complete the sentences choosing a suitable infinitive phrase from the following list:

how to apologize, what to do, how to divert, what to expect, whether to forgive you or go away, how to behave, for whom to show preference,

when to come, what to choose, where to go, how to start

1. It was just impossible to understand from her mumble … . 2. I didn't really know … . 3. He hesitated over a choice. He didn't know … . 4. “Unfortunately, I forgot about your coming. Now I don't know … to you for such a fault. Please, don't be angry with me. – “I don't know … .

Ok, I'll stay, but keep in mind that it is the last time I pardon you. 5. She didn't know … . She was very anxious about appearance. 6. My friend didn't say exactly … . 7. I see you are out of spirits. Maybe you'll tell me … you. I shall do everything you like. 8. I'm wavering … and that's why

I need your help. I'm vacillating between the concert and the play

tonight; they're both very attractive events. 9. They were so frightened, that they didn't have the slightest idea of … . 10. Will you recommend me … when my elder son speaks to me as if I am his coeval?

Exercise 9. Translate the sentences into English:

1. Я не знала, кому верить. Обе стороны настаивали на своей

правоте. 2. Они сомневаются, разрешить ли детям уехать на пару недель в Москву. 3. Я не знаю, как выразиться, чтобы не обидеть кого-то своими словами. 4. Мы объяснили таксисту, куда ехать. 5.

Я даже не знаю, как оценивать случившееся. 6. Покажи мне, пожалуйста, как использовать это оборудование. 7. Так больше не может продолжаться! Давай сядем и обсудим, что делать дальше. 8.

28

The for-to-infinitive construction has the same functions as a single infinitive, though with some restrictions.

1.Subject. The for-to-infinitive construction in the function of the subject usually occurs in sentences with the introductory it, though it is occasionally placed at the head of the sentence:

e.g. It is easy for you to say that.

It is necessary for the goods to be packed in strong boxes.

2.Predicative. In this function the construction is mostly used with the link verb to be:

e.g. This is for you to decide.

3.Object. The construction functions as object of both verbs and adjectives:

e.g. a) She watched for the door to open.

b)I’m so glad for you to have come at last.

4.Attribute:

e.g. The first thing for me to do is to find out when the steamer arrives.

5. Adverbial modifier of purpose and consequence: e.g. a) She paused for him to continue.

b) The water was too cold for the children to bathe.

In all its uses this construction is generally rendered in Russian by a subordinate clause.

Complex Object

In the objective with the infinitive construction (Complex Object) the infinitive (usually an infinitive phrase) is in predicate relation to a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case. In this case a noun or a pronoun denotes a person (or a thing) which performs the action expressed by the infinitive. The objective with the infinitive

construction is rendered in Russian by an object clause:

e.g. I expect him to come here. – Я ожидаю, что он придет сюда.

Complex Object is used in the following cases:

1. After verbs of sense perception (to see, to hear, to feel, to watch, to observe, to notice and some others). In this case the only

30