The infinitive as adverbial modifier of result or consequence

As an adverbial modifier of result or consequence the Infinitive is used to denote an action which became possible or impossible due to some action or state expressed by the words it refers to. It chiefly occurs after adjectives or adverbs modified by enough or too.

He didn’t run fast enough to catch the train.

Do you think the water is warm enough to swim?

He was too weak to speak.

The coffee is too hot to drink.

In this function the Infinitive is also used after adjectives modified by so (so + adjective + as) and nouns modified by such (such + noun + as)

He is so kind as to help me.

She is not such a fool as to think you innocent.

The rain was so heavy as to make the picnic impossible.

In this meaning the Infinitive often implies negation:

My mother is getting too old to travel.

Exercise 87. Underline the Infinitive or the Infinitive phrase used as adverbial modifier of result. Translate the sentences into Russian.

Model: She is beautiful enough to be your rival. Она достаточно красива, чтобы быть твоей соперницей. Она так красива, что может стать твоей соперницей (соперничать с тобой).

The story is too long to tell. История слишком длинная, чтобы ее рассказывать (и ее невозможно рассказать).

1. Her little brother is clever enough to understand what you feel. 2. Jane is too polite to insult anybody. 3. Phil and Sylvia were so kind as to support us when we were pressed for money. 4. He is not such an idiot as to marry again. He is fed up with his first marriage. 5. The house was small and cheap enough to be sold for five thousand pounds. 6. The car is too slow to cover this distance in two hours’ time. 7. I was so lucky as to see the first night of his play. 8. The journey was too long to enjoy it. 9. It is too funny to be taken seriously. 10. My brother is not such a fool as to give up his job. 11. The story is too sad to be amusing. 12. Her younger son is talented enough to get the first prize. 13. The girl is too weak to carry such a heavy case.

Exercise 88. Complete the sentences using an Infinitive or an Infinitive phrase as adverbial modifier of result/consequence.

Model: The problem is too easy … – The problem is too easy to be discussed for hours.

Use: to follow; to be approved of; to cross the street; to be sold; to be taken into consideration; to forgive; to be good at playing basketball; to drive at speed; to stop smb; to dance to; to move the bookcase; to marry

1. The traffic was too heavy … 2. The book was dull enough … 3. The circumstances are too serious … 4. My elder brother is so tall as … 5. The reason is serious enough … 6. His clothes are too shabby … 7. The engine is so powerful as … 8. His advice is good enough … 9. Her son is not such an unruly child as … 10. The melody was so romantic as … 11. Her behaviour was silly enough … 12. Bob is too young … 13. I am not strong enough …

Exercise 89. Paraphrase the sentences using an Infinitive or an Infinitive phrase as adverbial modifier of result/consequence.

Model: He is clever. He can solve any problem. – He is clever enough to solve any problem.

He is old. He can’t climb the tree. – He is too old to climb the tree.

I’m not an expert in this sphere. I can’t help you. – I’m not such an expert in this sphere to help you.

1. The boy was silly. He couldn’t but take the matches. 2. Lucy is very rude. She can offend anybody who she doesn’t like. 3. Her friends are warm-hearted. They will help her willingly. 4. The flat is extremely expensive. We can’t afford it. 5. Julia is wise. She can decide for herself. 6. The lecture was so dull. I didn’t take any notes. 7. He is very unwell. He can’t even move. 8. The armchair is comfortable. I’ll buy it. 9. I’ll never agree to do it. I’m not an idiot. 10. Kate is, no doubt, attractive. It’s easy to fall in love with her. 11. Philip is a reliable man. You can trust him. 12. Don’t keep your children indoors in this wonderful weather. Let them go for a walk. 13. He is so old that he cannot skate. 14. He is so weak that he cannot lift this weight. 15. She is so busy that she cannot talk with you. 16. She was so inattentive that she did not notice the mistake. 17. The rule was so difficult that they did not understand it. 18. He was so stupid that he did not see the joke. 19. She has got so fat that she cannot wear this dress now. 20. The accident was so terrible that I don’t want to talk about it. 21. They were so empty-headed that they could not learn a single thing. 22. The window was so dirty that they could not see through it. 23. She was so foolish that she could not understand my explanation. 24. I have very little wool: it won’t make a sweater. 15. The problem is so difficult that it is impossible to solve it. 16. The box is so heavy that nobody can carry it. 17. The baby is so little that it cannot walk.

Exercise 90. Translate the sentences into English. Pay attention to the use of the Infinitive as adverbial modifier of result/consequence.

1. Он слишком благороден, чтобы вызвать подозрения. 2. Дети недостаточно умны и внимательны, чтобы контролировать свое поведение. 3. Он был так добр, что дал мне в долг эти деньги. 4. Том слишком упрям, чтобы последовать твоему совету. 5. Достаточно твоих слов, чтобы поверить в то, что он не виноват. 6. Было чересчур шумно, чтобы расслышать слова. 7. Мяч был достаточно близко, чтобы поймать его. 8. Его условия слишком тяжелы, чтобы принять их. 9. Она была так мила, что согласилась выслушать нас. 10. Он не такой идиот, чтобы не осознавать, что его обманывают. 11. Вы слишком слепы, чтобы чувствовать, чего она добивается от вас. 12. Его намерение выглядит слишком странно, чтобы не вызвать всеобщего удивления.

Unit 12