Infinitive Constructions

In Modern English the infinitive can be used singly, in a phrase where the infinitive has one or more words dependent upon it or in a construction where it is in predicate relation to a noun or a pronoun.

According to their forms and functions, the infinitive constructions fall into:

a) the objective infinitive construction (OIC) (or complex object constructions );

b) the subjective infinitive construction (SIC) (or complex subject constructions );

c) the for-to-construction.

The Objective Infinitive Construction

In an OIC, the infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case. In a sentence, this construction invariably assumes the function of complex object. The OIC is used after the following groups of verbs.

1. Verbs of three senses: feel, hear, listen, watch, etc. These verbs admit only of the in infinitive construction refers to a complete event.

I saw them arrive.

Mary overheard him tell the children about it.

2. Verbs expressing opinion: assume, believe, consider, expect, find, hold, judge, know, presume, prove, show, think. After these verbs we use mostly the full indefinite infinitive, while the use of the perfect infinitive is rare.

In Modern English the OIC with these verbs sounds formal and the same idea is more commonly expressed by a that-clause or the subjective infinitive construction.

After most of the verbs we find the infinitives to be and to have. To be is often omitted:

We find her (to be) dependable.

3. Verbs of declaring: declare, pronounce.

4. Verbs denoting wish and intention. The most common verb here is want. Other verbs include mean and intend.

5. Verbs denoting feelings and emotions: like, can't bear and dislike, hate which are only rarely used in this construction.

With like the gerundial construction is more common.

The Subjective Infinitive Construction

In a SIC, the infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the nominative case. The nominal part of the construction is the subject of the sentence and the infinitive is part of a compound verbal predicate:

He is likely to come soon.

The SIC is very often used with verbs in the passive voice. These verbs include:

a) verbs of perception: hear, see, observe.

b) verbs expressing opinion and judgement: allege, assume, believe, claim, consider, deem (formal), discover, estimate, expect, feel, find, hold, know, predict, prove (= demonstrate), reckon, report, rumour, say, see (= consider), think, understand. The SIC is more common with these verbs than the OIC and the number of verbs really used is greater. The full infinitive that follows the verbs is usually to be, to have, or a progressive or perfect infinitive:

The house is believed to be haunted.

The SIC is often used with the following active verbs: seem, appear (= seem), turn out, prove (= turn out), happen, to chance (= happen).

Finally, the SIC is used with expressions be (un)likely, be sure, be certain.

The For-to-Infinitive Construction

In a for-to-infinitive construction, the infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun or a pronoun preceded by the preposition for:

I waited for them to say something.

The for-to-infinitive construction can have various functions in a sentence:

Subject: It was impossible for him to go there.

Predicative: That is for you to decide.

Complex object: They called for action to be taken against the terrorists.

Attribute: It was a nice example for you to follow.

Adverbial modifier of purpose: She put the money on the table for me to see it.

of result: She spoke too fast for me to follow.

Gerundial Construction

The gerund can be used singly, in a phrase, or in a predicative construction. In a gerundial construction, the gerund is in predicate relation to a noun or a pronoun. The subject of the sentence is not identical with the subject performing the action denoted by the gerund. The nominal elements of the construction can be expressed by a noun in the common case:

Do you remember people of different social classes protesting against the new bill?

The possessive of nouns is avoided in informal style and when the noun phrase is lengthy. The possessive is used mostly in formal style when the noun phrase has personal reference:

The very lack of refinement in the circus and its popular appeal probably account for Lautrec's having come to the subject when he did.

The nominal element of the construction can also be expressed by a possessive pronoun or, occasionally, by a personal pronoun in the objective case, the object pronoun being more informal and emphasizing the subject of the action:

I dislike his/him coming here every day.

Various other pronouns – all, that, this, both, each, something, etc. – may become the nominal element of a gerundial construction:

She insisted on both of them being wrong.

Gerundial predicative constructions perform a variety of nominal functions in sentences – subject, direct object, prepositional object, postpositional attribute, and adverbial modifier.