13. The Infinitive as Attribute

A. The infinitive in the function of attribute immediately follows its headnoun and is used with the particle to. This may happen in several ways.

1. Some nouns, like wish, refusal, offer, can be followed by infinitives, just like the related verbs. Compare:

I don’t wish to change. I have no wish to change.

He refused to cooperate. His refusal to cooperate…

However, in many cases the verb and the noun are used in different structures.

I intend to go. My intention of going…

I hope to arrive. There’s no hope of arriving…

2. An infinitive is often used to say what will be done with something, or what effect it will have.

Have you got a key to unlock this door?

It was a war to end all wars.

When we are talking in general (and not about a particular action), we can use for + -ing instead of the infinitive, with a similar meaning.

A vase is a kind of pot for holding flowers.

3. In the examples above, the noun is the subject of the infinitive: the key unlocks the door, the war ends wars. Very often, however, the noun is the object of the infinitive.

Is there any milk to put on the cornflakes?

He needs a place to live in.

In cases like these, a passive infinitive is sometimes possible, particularly after there is.

For details, see 14.

There’s work to do/to be done.

B. The infinitive is also used with noun equivalents: somebody, nobody, anybody, everybody, someone, no one, anyone, everyone, something, nothing, anything, everything.

Have you got anything to eat?

It’s been wonderful having somebody to help.

C. The infinitive can be used after the first, the second etc., the last, the only and sometimes after superlatives:

He loves parties; he is always the first to come and the last to leave.

She was the only one to survive the crash. (the only one who survived)

Note that the infinitive here has an active meaning. When a passive sense is required a passive infinitive is used:

He is the second man to be killed in this way.

(the second man who was killed)

…the best play to be performed that year

(the best play that was performed that year)

Compare this with:

…the best play to perform

(the best play for you to perform/the play you should perform)

D. The infinitive is also used after the following expressions: much, little, no more, little more, a lot, a great deal, plenty, etc.

I’ve got so much to learn.

You are leaving me very little to say.

E. The infinitive may be used as attribute in sentences with it as a ‘preparatory subject’.

It’s a good idea to use both methods.

It’s our job to worry about that, isn’t it?

It was a surprise to hear him insisting on it.