THE INFINITIVE

The Infinitive is a non-finite form of the verb, which names a process in a most general way. The Infinitive
is historically a noun and it still has some noun characteristics, that is - it can be used in the sentence in the
syntactical functions in which the noun is usually used.
The most typical syntactic functions of the noun are those of subject and object.
To know a foreign language is to know its grammar.
She decided to-say no. -
The infinitive combines noun features with those of a verb.
Its verbal characteristics are as follows:
1.) The infinitive of transitive verbs can take a direct object.
He wanted to read this book
2.) The infinitive can be modified by an adverb.
I cannot write so quickly
3.) The infinitive has tense and aspect distinctions; the infinitive of transitive verbs has also voice
distinctions.

In Modern English the infinitive has the following forms.

ACTIVE PASSIVE
INDEFINITE To do To be done
CONTINUOUS To be doing ___________
PERFECT To have done To have been done
PERFECT CONTINUOUS To have been doing ___________

The indefinite infinitive expresses an action simultaneous with the action expressed by the finite verb, so it
may refer to the present, past or future.
I am glad to see you.
I was glad to see you.
I’ll be glad to see you.
The continuous infinitive also denotes an action simultaneous with that expressed by the finite verb, but it
is an action in progress
The weather seems to be improving
The perfect infinitive denotes an action preceding to the action expressed by the finite verb.
I am glad to have visited you.
!!Note!!: after the verbs to be, to expect, to hope, to intend, to mean the perfect form of the infinitive
expresses the action that was not carried out.
I hoped to have met him (but I didn’t)
I expected her to have read it (‘but she didn’t).
The perfect Continuous infinitive denotes an action which tasted a certain time before the action of the
finite verb.
I’m glad to have been living in M. so long.
 The particle “to” before the Infinitive
The Infinitive is used without “to” in the following cases:
1.) after auxiliary, modal verbs (except “ought”) and modal phrases (had better, would rather, cannot
but do nothing but, would sooner, do anything but, couldn’t but)
I’ll come soon
I don’t understand you.
You must do it at once
I would rather not speak about it.
She cannot hut think so.
2.) In complexes with the infinitive after some verbs expressing physical perception: to see, to hear, to
feel to notice, to watch.
I saw them cross the street.
She felt her heart jump
!!NOTE!!: the verb “to be” after the verb “to feel” is used with the particle “to”.
I felt it to be wrong. - The verb “to feel” is a verb of mental perception here.
3.) after the verbs of compulsion:
to make, to let, to have(допускать), to bid-bade-bidden(bid)(предлагать, приказывать).
Let us examine all these facts.
I bade him go out.
!!NOTE!!: all the verbs in 2) and 3) cases require an infinitive with “to” when they are used in the passive
form.
He was seen to drive a car.
He was made to do it.
4.) the particle “to” is dropped out in special question beginning with “why”.
Why do it?
Why not tell them?
5.) After the verb “to help” the infinitive may be used with or without “to”.
Help me (to) lift the box.
6.) the particle “to” is often used without the infinitive if it is easily understood from the context.
He wants me to go there hut I don’t want to.

The functions of the infinitive in the sentence

The Infinitive can be in different syntactic functions:
1.) The Infinitive as a subject:
To live means to create.
Though the infinitive as the subject sometimes precedes the predicate, cases when it follows the predicate
are more common. Then the sentence begins with the introductory “it”, which serves as an introductory
subject.
It is important to do it now.
It is useless to discuss the question.
2.) a) the Infinitive as a predicative:
Our intention was to help you.
All we can do is to wait.
 3.) a) The Infinitive as part of a compound verbal modal predicate.
You can do it without my help.
The train was to leave at midnight.
b) As a part of a compound aspect predicate ( to begin, to start, to continue)
They began to discuss the question.
4.) The Infinitive as an object.
a) We find it after the following verbs: to agree, to arrange, to decide, to expect, to fail, to
help, to hope, to pretend, to manage, to refuse, to want and some others.
They arranged to visit him the next day.
He refused to see me.
She asked me to wait a little.
b) the infinitive as an object is used after modal phrases “can afford” and “can bear” in their
negative and interrogative forms and after the set-phrases to “make up one’s mind”, “to
take care”, “to take the trouble”, “to make sure”.
We can’t afford to buy a car.
He took care to buy some food.
c) after to allow, to ask, to order, to beg, to refuse, to teach, to instruct we often find two
objects one is the inf:
He asked me to walk in.
d) With introductory “it”:
He found it impossible to leave the place.
5.) The Infinitive as part of a Complex Object.
I never saw you act this way before.
He wants this article to be translated at once.
6.) The Infinitive as part of a Complex Subject.
He was seen to come into the room.
I happened to meet him at the theatre.
7.) The Infinitive as an attribute (after abstract nouns, indefinite pronouns [somebody, much, little, a
lot], ordinal numerals, adjective “last”):
It is a nice place to live in.
Here is the article to he typed at once.
Here is real1y nothing to worry about.
He was always the last to see a joke.
8.) The Infinitive as an adverbial modifier.
a) Of purpose (in order, so as)
I’ve come here to talk with you.
He stopped to smoke.
b) Of result or consequence (especially after enough, too)
She knew French well enough to read hooks.
I’m too tired to go there.
c) Of unexpected consequence or result.
He awoke one morning to find himself famous.
9). The Infinitive as a parenthesis.
To be frank, I don’t like him at all.
 COMPLEXES WITH THE INFINITIVE
Complex Object
Is a synthetic construction which consists of a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case
and an infinitive. It is a construction in which the infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun in the
common case or a pronoun in the objective case. In the sentence this construction has the function of a
complex object. It is rendered in Russian by an object clause.
Complex Object is used in the following cases:
1.) After verbs of sense perception to see, to hear, to feel, to watch, to observe, to notice
I felt something touch my hand.
No one has ever heard her cry.
!!!NOTE!!!: If the verb “to see” is used in the meaning “to realize”, or the verb “to hear” in the meaning
“to learn” Complex Object cannot be used. Here a subordinate object clause is used.
I saw that he didn’t know anything.
I hear that he left for the South last week.
2.) After verbs of mental activity to think, to believe, to consider, to suppose. to find, to feel (to
consider), to mean, to understand.
I knew him to be a clever boy.
I don‘t expect this fine weather to continue.
!!!NOTE!!!: If the action of the finite verb and that of the infinitive refer to the same person or thing a
corresponding reflexive pronoun must be used.
He declared himself to be their leader.
I considered myself to be right.
After the verbs of mental activity the perfect infinitive is used but seldom.
The doctor found his heart to have stopped two hours before.
3.) After verbs expressing liking or disliking: to want, to wish, to desire, to like, to dislike, to hate, to
would like, cannot bear.
He wants you to wait here.
I dislike you to talk like that.
Here the Passive Infinitive may be used.
I wish the work to be done in time.
He hated the window to be closed.
4.) after verbs expressing order, permissions, request: to allow, to permit, to order, to command
The doctor permitted the room to be aired
He ordered the letter to he sent at once.
Here Complex Object is used only if the object is expressed by a noun or pronoun denoting a lifeless
thing or when the infinitive is passive.
She never allowed the name of John Smith to pass her lips. He ordered the boat to be discharged.
5.) After verbs expressing inducement or compulsion: to let, to have, to make(without “to”), to get
(with “to”)
I won’t have you speak like that.
She made me obey her.
6.) After certain verbs requiring a prepositional object: to count (up)on, to rely (up)on, to look for, to
wait for, to listen to (without “to”)
I rely on you to come in time.
He was looking for somebody to help him
He was listening to the chairman speak.
 COMPLEX SUBJECT
is a construction in which the inf. is in predicate relation to a noun in the Common case or a pronoun in the
Nominative case.
My sister is said to resemble me.
He was seen to do it.

COMPLEX SUBJECT AND COMPLEX OBJECT COMPARED

COMLPEX OBJECT COMPLEX SUBJECT

IS USED
1.) after verbs of sense (physical) perception: to see, to hear, to feel, to watch, to notice
I saw him enter the room.
He was seen to enter the room.
The inf is used without “to”
2.) After verbs of mental perception: to think, to believe, to consider, to suppose. to find, to feel (to
consider), to expect, to understand
I expect this fine weather to continue. He is expected to be leaving tonight.
I consider him to be right. He is considered to be right.

3.) After verbs expressing liking or disliking: to want, to wish, to desire, to like, to dislike, to hate, to
would like.

I want you to translate this text.

I want this text to be translated.

4.) After verbs of saying: to announce, to order, to allow, to permit.

The doctor permitted the room to be All books were ordered to be returned
aired. within 5 days.
He ordered the letter to be sent at once. He is said to have come back at once.
5.) After verbs: to make, to have, to let.
He was made to keep silent.
I made him tell us about it.
NOTE: to verb “to let” is not used in the
The inf is used without “to!!!”
Passive Voice.
6.) after the following pairs of synonymous verbs in the Active Voice: a) to seem; to appear; b) to
happen; to chance; c) to prove, to turn out
He seems to have left yesterday.
We happened to see him.
The night turned out to be cold.
7.) with the phrases: to be sure; to be(un)likely, to be certain(with future reference)

She is likely to be late.

He is sure to become a doctor.
 The For-to-Infinitive Construction
is a construction in which the infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun or pronoun preceded by the
preposition “for”. The relation between the nominal and verbal parts of the construction is that of the
secondary subject and secondary predicate.
The construction can have different functions in the sentence.
It can be:
1.) A subject (often with the introductory it”).
For me to talk is extremely painful.
It was still difficult for him to talk about it.
It was impossible for her to appear there.
2.) A predicative:
That was for you to decide.
The main thing is for you to get all the details.
3.) a complex object:
She waited for him to speak
I’m sorry for you to think that.
4.) An attribute:
There is nobody here for him to play with.
Here are some books for you to read.
5.) An adverbial modifier of purpose (a) or result (b)
a) Call me up for me not to be late.
He stepped aside for me to pass.
b) He spoke loud enough for you to hear.
The problem was too difficult for the boy to solve.
Of-phrases with the Infinitive
-are used after such adjectives as: good, nice, kind, clever, silly, rude etc., and it is always the subject of a
sentence with “it”.
It was kind of you to help them.
It was very silly of him to say it.
It‘s very bad of him not to have told me that before.