4.5The infinitive used after statives

To be

afraid, agog, ashamed

to do smth

E.g.: I’m afraid to tell the truth.

Exercise 12. Сomplete the following sentences adding an infinitive:

1. Why did you pretend . . ? 2. We agreed . . . .3. Who wants . . .? 4. I didn’t mean . . .5. Finally it was decided . . . . 6. He offered . . . .7. Don’t forget . . . .8. You must always remember. . . . 9. Why were you so angry . . ? 10. Were you glad . . ? 11. She must have been pleased . . . 12. They were simply delighted . . . .13. She was not really angry . . .

5. The Infinitive as Attribute

5.1

NOUNS (abstract and concrete): man place thing wish refusal

To do smth.

E.g.: Have you got a key to unlock this door?

He is just the man to do it.

Is there any milk to put on the cornflakes?

He needs a place to live in.

Mary needs a friend to play with.

The question where to start is a worry.

NOTE:

The attributive infinitive besides naming an action may express a modal or future meaning:

It’s the only thing to do (i.e. that can be done or must be done).

5.2

PRONOUNS (indefinite, negative, universal) anybody/anything somebody/something nobody/nothing everybody/everything

to do smth

E.g.: I have nothing to give you.

Have you anything else to say?

He was someone to admire.

He had everything to make his life a happy one.

NOTE:

Occasionally the infinitive can have the function of an attribute to personal and reflexive pronouns: I’ve only you to look to. Oh, but you have only yourself to praise.

5.3

Substantivized ORDINAL NUMERALS (especially FIRST) and Substantivized ADJECTIVES NEXT and LAST

to do sth

E.g.: Jack was the first to come.

She was the last to reach the ball.

5.4

The substantivized quantitative ADJECTIVES MUCH, LITTLE, (NO) MORE, (NO) LESS, LITTLE MORE, ENOUGH

to do smth

E.g.: A man in your position has so much to lose.

I’ve no more to add.

NOTE:

The infinitive attribute can also be used with the substantivized adverb NOWHERE:

I had nowhere to go.

5.5.

the noun substitute ONE

To do smth

E.g.: I am not the one to run about and discuss my affairs with other people.

Exercise 13. Replace the attributive clause by an attributive infinitive:

Pattern: He is the only man who can do it better than I.

He is the only man to do it better than I.

1.There was a long argument over the trees which were going to be planted in the school- yard. 2. Her mother was the first who kissed her, and wished her luck. 3. There is simply nothing anyone can do about it. 4. It was one of those incredible opportunities where you could get something for nothing or near nothing.