The infinitive as part of a compound verbal modal predicate
modal verb + infinitive
Any form of infinitive can be used after modal verbs,
e.g. Look upstairs. She may be reading in her room now.
You shouldn’t have left the child alone in the dark.
I can’t do anything about this matter right now. We have to wait.
I’m dead tired. I must have been typing since morning.
TASK 9. Define the form of the infinitive.
You must have been dreaming of it long.
Sue ought to have told me the truth long ago.
Miss Davis should have been given this file in the morning.
Where is Ted? – No idea. Try the attic, he may be reading there as usual.
You needn’t have spent so much money on me. But thank you anyway.
Shall I tell you how it all happened?
Sheila knew that she didn’t have to be present at the meeting.
I can’t believe it. She can’t have been so foolish.
Tom must have forgotten to tell them about the delay and they may be packing now.
It can be done and will be done if only you will help me.
TASK 10. Translate into English paying special attention to the form of infinitives.
Вам следовало бы принять во внимание все детали этого дела, когда вопрос обсуждался в первый раз.
Вся жизнь мальчика может быть испорчена, если вы его сейчас отсюда не увезете.
Если бы мистер Грей не вмешался, молодые люди, возможно, поссорились навсегда.
Вы, должно быть многое повидали в жизни, хотя вы сравнительно молоды.
Ты могла бы позвонить и сказать, что задерживаешься. Мы так волновались!
Это должно было случиться. Это несчастье никто не мог предотвратить.
Поди и приведи Марту. Она, должно быть, копается в саду с утра.
Ты видел Филиппа? – Нет. Он, вероятно, моет свою машину на заднем дворе.
Где ты был? Все гости уже собрались. Мы тебя, наверное, уже ждем четверть часа. Что-нибудь случилось?
Очевидно, Стивенсоны говорили обо мне что-то неприятное. Когда я подошла, они оба смущенно улыбнулись и сразу же заговорили о погоде.
Джорж Вашингтон не любил людей, которые опаздывали. Однажды его секретарь пришел, когда президент уже работал в своем кабинете. Секретарь очень смутился и сказал, что его подвели часы. Президент строго посмотрел на своего помощника и ответил: «Вы должны либо купить другие часы, либо искать другую работу».
The infinitive as part of a compound verbal aspect predicate
notional aspect verb + infinitive
The notional verb in this type of predicate should denote the beginning, continuation and end of an action. Only non-perfect active infinitive with particle ‘to’ is used in this kind of predicative.
to begin to start to continue to cease to go on used to
to finish to stop to set about to keep on to give up would to
e.g. I began to realize what was happening.
Now she came to realize what was happening.
Their work is beginning to have results.
Anne used to write poems when she was at school.
Dick was so lazy that he would stay in bed till midday.
Notes:
the verbs to begin, to start, to continue can be followed by both infinitive and gerund with no change in meaning
e.g. The team continued to discuss/discussing their plans for the next month.
The team started to discuss/discussing their plans for the next month.
But: do not use two -ing forms together, e.g.
It is starting getting cold – WRONG!
It is starting to get cold – RIGHT!
the verbs to stop and to go on have the following differences:
to stop
gerund infinitive
(the activity itself stops) (reason for stopping the activity for some time)
Stuart stopped smoking Ben stopped to smoke and to have a short rest.
though it wasn’t easy for him.
to go on
gerund infinitive
(continuation of one and the same activity) (change of activity)
Old Mrs.Todd went on talking about Sue went on to talk about her other
her health for hours. problems.
TASK 11. Explain how you understand the proverbs and saying given below and whether you agree with them.