The infinitive and the infinitive constructions

Type	Active	Passive
Simple	To read	To be read
Progressive	To be reading	-
Perfect	To have read	To have been read
Perfect Progressive	To have been reading	-

The full infinitive with “to” is used:

1. to express purpose. He went to buy some bread.

2. after would love/ like/ prefer.

I’d love to see you tonight.

3. after adjectives (angry, glad, happy, sorry, pleased, annoyed, etc.)

I’m glad to see you here.

4. with too or enough.

He’s too old to drive. She’s clever enough to understand it.

5. after certain verbs (advise, agree, appear, arrange, attempt, ask, choose, dare, decide, demand, deserve, expect, fail, grow, hasten, happen, hope, hurry, learn, long, manage, neglect, offer, pay, plan, pretend, promise, refuse, seek, seem, struggle, swear, threaten, want, wish etc.).

I hope to meet him again.

6. after questions words (where, how, what, who, which).

Why is not used with to – infinitive.

I don’t know what to do. BUT: Nobody knew why he was angry.

The bare infinitive (without “to”) is used:

1. after modal words (can, must etc). We must leave soon.

2. after let/ make/ hear/ see + object. Let me go or I’ll make you regret it.

N O T E: 1) Some verbs can take a full infinitive or the -ing form with no difference in meaning. These verbs are: begin, hate, like, love, prefer, start etc.

He likes to watch/ watching the birds.

2) If the subject of the verb is the same as the subject of the infinitive, then the subject of the infinitive is omitted. If, however, the subject of the verb is different from the subject of the infinitive, then an object pronoun (me, you, him, etc) is placed before the infinitive.

Compare: I want to be back at 10 o’clock. – I want him to be back at 10 o’clock.

Complex Object

Сложное дополнение (объектный падеж с инфинитивом) представляет собой сочетание местоимения в объектном падеже или существительного с инфинитивом и переводится на русский язык дополнительным придаточным предложением:

I want him to help me. – Я хочу, чтобы он полог мне.

He supposes this young man to be an honest fellow. – Он полагает, что этот молодой человек – честный парень.

Сложное дополнение употребляется после глаголов, выражающих желание, восприятие посредством органов чувств, предположение:

To see, to watch, to observe, to notice, to hear, to feel, to want, to wish, to desire, should like, to like, to think, to believe, to suppose, to consider, to find и т.п.

После глаголов, выражающих физическое восприятие, частица to перед инфинитивом опускается.

I saw him cross the street. – Я видел, что он перешел улицу.

№ 43. Раскройте скобки, употребляя требующуюся форму инфинитива. Переведите предложения на русский язык.

1. He seems (to read) a lot. 2. He seems (to read) now. 3. He seems (to read) since morning. 4. He seems (to read) all the books in the library. 5. I want (to take) you to the concert. 6. I want (to take) to the concert by my father. 7. She hoped (to help) her friends. 8. She hoped (to help) by her friends. 9. I hope (to see) you soon. 10. We expect (to be) back in two days. 11. He expected (to help) by the teacher. 12. The children seem (to play) since morning. 13. I am glad (to do) all the homework yesterday. 14. She seems (to work) at this problem ever since she came here. 15. I am sorry (to break) your pen.

№ 44. Переведите предложения с оборотом Complex Object.

1. I suppose him to be about thirty. 2. He believes his parents to be at home now. 3. I don’t consider him to be an honest man. 4. The teacher found him to be a very clever student. 5. The witness saw that woman enter the house. 6. The police officer wanted the young man to be invited here. 7. I should like you to tell the truth. 8. The students liked the lessons to be conducted in the lab. 9. The investigator expected him to give all the information about that fact. 10. We believe the prevention of crime to be one of the main functions of the militia. 11. The policeman saw the criminal run away. 12. We consider the traces to be very important for the investigation. 13. We all know him to be a highly qualified detective.