6.2. The Subjective Infinitive Construction

This is a construction in which the infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun in the Common Case or a pronoun (in the Nominative Case); the noun/pronoun is the Subject if the sentence, the infinitive is part of a compound predicate.

The Subjective Infinitive Construction is used with the following groups of verbs in the Passive Voice:

1. verbs of sense perception see, hear, etc.

Mr. Sawyer was heard to laugh heartily.

2. verbs of mental activity think, consider, believe, expect, know, suppose, etc.

The Mafia were believed to have committed the crime.

You are expected to start work at 8.00 every morning.

3. the verb to make.

She was made to sign the paper.

4. the verbs say, report.

The child is said to resemble her mother.

5. The Construction is used with the following pairs of synonyms: seem/appear, happen/chance, prove/turn out in the Active Voice.

The plane seemed to be losing height.

We happened to meet in the street (=met by chance).

The debate turned out to be very interesting.

6. The Construction is used with the word groups to be sure, to be certain, to be (un)likely.

The peace talks are likely to last several weeks.

The party is sure to be a great success.

6.3. The For-to-Infinitive Construction

This is a construction in which the infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun or a pronoun preceded by the preposition for.

The Construction can have different functions in the sentence:

• Subject

It’s important for you to finish the course and get a qualification.

It’s a nuisance for tourists to have to get visas.

But if the adjective expresses a personal quality, e.g. brave, careless, clever, foolish, generous, good, kind, mean, nice, polite, wrong, etc., it is followed by an of-phrase + an Infinitive.

It was rude of your friend not to shake hands.

It was clever of Tina to find that out.

• Predicative

It is not for me to say.

• Complex Object

after verbs apply, arrange, ask, call (=demand), long, prepare, wait and the adjectives anxious, reluctant, keen, etc.:

I’ll wait for you to finish your breakfast.

We’ve arranged for the photographer to take some photos.

I’m anxious for the matter to be settled.

• Attribute

I’ve made arrangements for someone to take photos (or some photos to be taken).

He couldn’t hide his anxiety for the matter to be settled.

• Adverbial modifier of purpose

For plants to grow properly, you have to water them regularly.

• Adverbial modifier of result

The kitchen is too small for the whole family to eat in.

The light wasn’t shining brightly enough for anyone to notice it.

Grammar practice

Ex. 1. Point out verbal and noun characteristics of the infinitive in the following sentences.

1. I was standing at the meat counter, waiting for some rib lamb chops to be cut. (J. Sal.) 2. Then at last it closed on words, "I got to be making tracks," he said. (White) 3. Your work here was to help Sir Gervase with the book he was writ­ing. (A. Chr.) 4. He was not to spend at the outside more than twelve thousand and fifty pounds. (Calsw.) 5. What he is going to do is still in the doubt. (Dr.) 6. That's just why they couldn't hаve had the key. (A. Chr.) 7. Wilson was standing by while we gave the cabman instructions, for we had given him a lift to save him the hot dusty walk. (S. M.) 8. Your father is not to be disturbed. (White) 9. Monsieur and Madame Renard gave a party to celebrate the engagеmept of their daughter. (S. M.) 10. A great temptation came to Utterson to open the envelope at once. (Steve.) 11. Do you think it would do any good to try to get hold of Waker? (J. Sal.) 12. "Oh, dear," Mr. Boggis said clasping his hands. "There I go again. I should have never started this in the first place." "You can't back out now, a deal is a deal." (St. L.) 13. Of course, I could promise to send it back next month, but — I'd better say three months. Just as soon as I start to sell drawings. 14. You needn't worry, I shall be careful all right. (A. Chr.) 15. He wished to give her every chance. (Galsw.) 16. He ought perhaps to have put a spoke in the wheel of their mar­riage. (Galsw.) 17. He longed to go and say to him, "Look here, you sir! Are you going to jilt my granddaughter?" (Galsw.)

Ex. 2. Use the infinitive in brackets in the required form f the active or passive voice.

1. And now that she was going to live in the country there was a chance for her (to turn) over a new leaf. (Galsw.) 2. There was something about a dress m her bag that had (to iron). (J. Sal.) 3. We seem (to say) all there is (to say) - except good night. (A. Chr.) 4. I wanted no one (to take) notice of me, so that I could observe these famous creatures at my ease... (S. M.) 5. "Well," he said, "there's nothing more (to see) here." (A. Chr.) 6. Did he ever ask you (td engage) or talk about marrying? (Cus.) 7. I wanted (to persuade) her (to clear) things up — I mean to let things (to clear) up by you. (A. Chr.) 8. She seemed (to lose) heart in the business after that. (J. K. J.) 9. She would forgive him, because it was not a matter of any moment but rather something (to brush) aside lightly. (F. F.) 10. Henet was one of those people whose fate is (to devote) to others and to have no one devoted to them. (A. Chr.) 11. She asked this as she might (to ask) such a question a few years ago. (F. F.) 12. So it was with the idea of concealed dictaphones in mind, dictaphones which could (to turn on) by the pressure of a toe. Thus loyalty could (to check) several times a day. (F. F.) 13. I hoped that I should never (to send) to that war. (M. D.) 14. Outside men's voices could (to hear). (S. M.) 15. The cows wound into the yard at evening (to milk). (White)

Ex. 3. Use the infinitive in brackets in the perfect or non-perfect form,

1. She was relieved (to feel) she need not investigate, and probably would never hear the reason for this quarrel. (White) 2. She had tried (to give) her a ring for Christmas, and failing that, got her (to accept) a gold watch but that must (to cost) two hundred dollars. (F. F.) 3. I started (to walk) on tiptoe. (J. Rh.) 4. She is not likely (to take) him into her confidence. (A. Chr.) 5. I've tried (to plan) you a house here with some self-respect of its own. (Galsw.) 6. She would appear to listen and would remember nothing incon­venient, since her mind was sure (to be dwelling) on some problem connected with the children all the time. (A. Chr.) 7. We must (to sit) there, with scarcely a word, for well over an hour. (F. P.) 8. What happened is a very long time ago, I'm going (to ask) her to let bygones be bygones. (Galsw.) 9. If she had done so, she would have been sure (to mention) the fact at once. (A. Chr.) 10. It had been the Christmas Eve custom of the Carters' (to hang up) their children's stockings and (to fill) them with inexpensive toys. (Un. Is.). 11. He promised (to come) and (to see) them before he left. (Un. Is.) 12.The big chandelier should (to be flooded) with light; but instead, all that happened was the clink of the switch. The room remained in darkness. (A. Chr.) 13. She watched him with lips parted ready (to speak) at any minute. (J. M.) 14. I am a person who likes (to cross) a "t" and dot an "i". (S. M.) 15. I had no cases of special interest (to attend). (A. Chr.) 16. Regret would ripen into guilt, until he remembered her mother who took so much upon herself, would (to be taken) care of (White). 17. "Everyone seems (to be dying)," she said with a certain relish. (A. Chr.) 18. Irene's gone upstairs with a splitting headache. She wanted (to go) with you but I made her (to go) to bed. (F. F.)

Ex. 4. Use the infinitive in brackets in the required form.

1. Architecture appeared (to exhaust) his regularity. (Galsw.) 2. After the two years at the front and a wound that had taken longer (to heal) that it should he was glad (to settle) down quietly at Apia. (S. M.) 3. I suppose you're not going (to be) down here very long? (A. Chr.) 4. He appeared (to do) business with them. (D. Rob.) 5. Poirot rubbed his hands together and smiled cheerfully. He seemed (to enjoy) himself. (A. Chr.) 6. Natural thing would be for them (to stay) at the Ritz or Claridge's or some other big hotel somewhere. (A. Chr.) 7. I'm deeply sorry (to involve) you in this. (I. M.) 8. At home Mrs. Goff would not have kept my supper. You had (to be) on the dot if you wanted (to feed), so I usually went with one or the other (to have) cheese rolls and beer. (M. D.) 9. Don't expect comfort. You've just got (to be) thankful if we get a bed (to sleep) on and a roof over our heads. (S. M.) 10. I seemed (to be) all right there and went on (to learn) that one should never sit in the presence of su-periors. (M. D.) 11. Ten years before she would have lain down and slept, but now she had a feeling that things needed watching; there were sure (to be) grocery-men that had (to talk) to. (F. F.) 12. "Perhaps," suggested Rollock, "the man didn't want (to see) turning into the house from the road." (A. Chr.) 13. At last Mor allowed himself (to persuade). (I. M.) 14. "What about (to come) in and (to wash) up?" he asked suddenly. "No, thanks," said John. "I ought (to go) home-my wife'll be worried." (F. F.) 15. I began (to walk) very slowly. (J. Rh.) 16. "Now I must (to go)," said the man, "and you young ladies walk off home." (White) 17. He ought perhaps (to put) a spoke in the wheel of their marriage. (Galsw.) 18. He seemed (to be) in a brown study and I thought he hardly heard what we were saying. (S. M.)