6. The Infinitive in the function of Adverbial Modifier and Parenthesis

AM of purpose

Non-Perf. Common ‘to’-INF denotes a hypothetical action that follows the action of the Predicate as its intended continuation:

He came to say ‘Good-bye’. To improve your language skills you may want to go to Britain. She left the room so as (in order) to make breakfast. Sometimes people came from London to see Black Madonna.

Note This meaning can be accompanied by the meaning of manner and comparison: He turned away as if (as though) to conceal his emotion.

AM of subsequent events

Non-Perf. Common ‘to’-INF denotes an action that follows the action of the Predicate as its consequence (it occurs without expectation). Sometimes that meaning is confused with the idea of result (which in many ways is planned and thus can be expected):

He arrived at 3 o’clock to learn that Fleur had gone out with the car at 10 (=He arrived and learned…). He came to the station just/merely to hear that his train had been cancelled (He came and heard…).

AM of consequence

(result)

Non-Perf. Common ‘to’-INF denotes an action that is possible or impossible due to a certain degree of quality or quantity expressed by the Predicate. INF renders such meaning after the following phrases:

Adj+enough

The action is possible:

He is old enough to be your father (… and so he can be your father); She was so kind as to accept our proposal (… and she accepted our proposal); She was hostess enough to offer us a cup of tea (…and so she offered us tea).

INF is used in various forms to name consequences of someone else’s behaviour that is criticized in the judgment expressed by the Subj.+Pred.:

I was such a fool (as) to let that business out of my hands. They are out of their mind to have sent you here! He was very kind to help us.

Some of Adjectives that may be found in the nominal predicate with finite verb be in the criticism part include clever, foolish, generous, good, (un)kind, polite, right/wrong, rude, (un)selfish, silly, wicked.

So+Adj+as

zero article N+enough

various patterns

too+Adj

The action is not possible:

The box was too heavy to lift (… so it couldn’t be lifted); He was too young to get married (… and so he was not allowed to get married).

AM of condition

Non-Perf. Common Act. ‘to’-INF denotes an action that serves the necessary condition of the event named by the predicate:

To look at the man you would think he is a beggar (=if you look at him, you would think…); I’ll thank you to take your hands off me (=I’ll thank you if you take…).

AM of exception

Non-Perf. Common Act. Bare INF denotes the only possible action in the circumstances referred to in the sentence, it is introduced by the conjunctions supporting this meaning:

There was nothing to be done but wait till dawn. They couldn’t but/except agree. What else could I do except turn for help to Roger?

AM of comparison

Non-Perf. Common Act. ‘to’- or Bare INF refers to predicate groups including adjectives and adverbs in the comparative degree and is introduced by than, as if:

To give is more blessed than to receive. I was more inclined to see her safely married than go on watching over her. She looked back as if to make sure she hadn’t left anything behind.