Infinitive phrase in English. Infinitive phrases in English Constructions with independent infinitive in English

15 For-clause

Infinitive phrase introduced by a preposition for

1) If the infinitive phrase acts as a complex object for a transitive verb, or for a verb that controls any preposition, then the logical subject of such a phrase is in the general case (in the case of nouns) or in the objective form (in the case of personal pronouns) (see Complex object)

2) If the infinitive phrase is the subject or definition of an adjective or noun and has an expressed subject, then a preposition is placed before the subject of the infinitive phrase for.

It is essential for developing countries to have independent policies of natural resource use- Developing countries must pursue independent policies for the use of natural resources

16 Indirect speech

Sentences with indirect speech are sentences that do not directly quote, but “retell” someone else’s statement. ( Wed: "She said she would be home by eight o" clock. “She said she would be home by eight o’clock.”)

3) Other transformations necessary when introducing indirect speech.

A) Pronouns, as in Russian, are replaced in accordance with the meaning:

"I can't see you"he said. (ex.) - He said he couldn't see me. (cont.) - He said he didn’t see me.

17 Infinitive clause

2) The infinitive phrase, in addition to the infinitive - predicate, may include:

If the infinitive phrase depends on the verb, then it can have its own subject, which is expressed by a noun/pronoun in objective form (see.

A complex subordinate sentence with a main clause expressed by an impersonal phrase like it is said - they say, it is reported - they report, it seems - it seems, it is likely - probably, can be replaced a simple sentence :

When replacing such a complex sentence with a simple pronoun it is omitted, the subject of the subordinate clause (they) is placed instead of the pronoun it before the predicate of the main sentence, which agrees with this new subject in person and number, the conjunction that is also omitted, and the predicate of the subordinate clause (know) takes the form of the infinitive (to know).

In a simple sentence - They are said to know Chinese very well.– subject to the predicate are said is more than one pronoun they, and the combination of the pronoun they with infinitive to know. Such a complex subject (they ... to know) is a phrase “nominative with the infinitive”.

The infinitive in the phrase “nominative case with infinitive” is used in all forms:
1. Indefinite Infinitive (both Active and Passive) expresses an action simultaneous with the action expressed by the verb in its personal form:
Not is said to live in Leningrad.
They say that he lives in Leningrad.
Books in the Soviet Union are known to be published in 119 languages.
It is known that books in the Soviet Union are published in 119 languages.
He was said to know several oriental languages.
They said that he knows several oriental languages.

2. Continuous Infinitive expresses long action, simultaneous with the action expressed by the verb in personal form:
The water seems to be boiling.
The water seems boils.
He was said to be writing a new play.
They said that he writes new play.

3. The Perfect Infinitive (both Active and Passive) expresses an action that precedes the action expressed by the verb in its personal form:
Not is said to have lived in Leningrad.
They say that he lived in Leningrad.
Not is said to have been appointed director of a big plant.
They say that he appointed director of a large factory.
The steamer was known to have left port on the 15th May.
It was known that the ship came out from the port on May 15.

4. The Perfect Continuous Infinitive expresses a continuous action that occurred during a certain period of time preceding the action expressed by the verb in its personal form. At the same time, the Perfect Continuous Infinitive can express both an action that is still occurring at the moment of the action expressed by the verb in the personal form, and an action that has already ended before this moment:
The goods are reported to have been awaiting shipment for several days.
It is reported that the goods expect shipment within a few days.
Not is said to have been traveling a great deal about the Soviet Union.
They say he is a lot traveled on the Soviet Union.

Note. It should be borne in mind that the Indefinite Infinitive expresses a simultaneous, and a Perfect Infinitive, preceding action in relation to the action expressed by the verb in the personal form, regardless of the tense in which the verb in the personal form appears:
Not is known to work hard.
It is known that he works diligently.
Not was known to work hard.
It was known that he works diligently.
They are reported to have arrived in Moscow.
They report that they arrived to Moscow.
They were reported to have arrived in Moscow.
They reported that they arrived to Moscow.

Cases of using the phrase “nominative case with infinitive”.

When the predicate is expressed by a verb in the passive voice.

The phrase “nominative case with infinitive” is used when the predicate is expressed by the following verbs in the passive voice: to say - to speak, to state - to declare, to report, to report - to report, to announce - to announce, to believe - to believe, to assume, to suppose - to assume, to think - to think, to believe, to expect - to expect, to know - to know, to understand - in the meaning of recognizing, having information, to consider - to consider, to see - to see, to hear - to hear and etc.:
Not said to live in Kiev. =It is said that he lives in Kiev.
They say that he lives in Kyiv.
This fruit is known to be grown in the north. =It is known that this fruit is grown in the north.
These fruits are known to be grown in the north.
They were believed to be on their way to Moscow. = It was believed that they were on their way to Moscow.
They were believed to be on their way to Moscow.
The delegation is reported to have left Leningrad. = It is reported that the delegation has left Leningrad.
It is reported that the delegation has left Leningrad.

Notes:
1. Indefinite Infinitive after a verb to expect usually express an action relating to the future:
Wasn't expected to arrive in the evening.
They expected him will arrive In the evening.
2. After the verb to consider linking verb to be sometimes omitted:
Not considered(to be) an experienced engineer.
He is believed to be an experienced engineer. (He is considered an experienced engineer.)
3. Pay attention to the translation of the verb to suppose when turning “nominative case with infinitive”:
Not supposed to do this work. To him relies do this work.
You are supposed to know it. To you relies know this.

A sentence with the phrase “nominative case with infinitive” is translated into Russian as a complex subordinate sentence. A verb in the passive voice is translated into Russian by a verb in the active voice in the 3rd person plural form. h. with an indefinite personal meaning (they say, report, etc.), playing the role of the main clause, followed by a subordinate clause with a conjunction What. A noun or pronoun placed before a verb in the passive voice becomes the subject of a subordinate clause in a Russian sentence. The infinitive is translated by a verb in personal form, which serves as the predicate of the subordinate clause:
The motor-vessel "Smolny" is reported to have arrived in Odessa.
They report that the motor ship "Smolny" arrived to Odessa.
A sentence with the phrase “nominative case with infinitive” can in many cases be translated into Russian into a simple sentence in which a verb with an indefinite personal meaning plays the role of an introductory sentence: Motor ship “Smolny”, reported to have arrived to Odessa.

The attributive clause with the phrase “nominative case with infinitive” is always translated into Russian sentence language, in which a verb with an indefinite personal meaning plays the role of an introductory sentence:
The motor-vessel "Smolny" which is reported to have arrived in Odessa on Monday, brought a large number of passengers.
The Smolny motor ship, which reportedly arrived in Odessa on Monday, brought a large number of passengers.

When such a attributive clause is replaced by a participial phrase, then participial is also translated into Russian by a definitive subordinate clause, in which a verb with an indefinite personal meaning plays the role of an introductory clause:
The motor-vessel "Smolny" reported to have arrived in Odessa on Monday, brought a large number of passengers.
The Smolny motor ship, which reportedly arrived in Odessa on Monday, brought a large number of passengers.

In a sentence with the phrase “nominative with infinitive,” the predicate can be expressed by combining a modal verb with an infinitive in the passive voice:
The ship can be expected to arrive at the end of the week. = It can be expected that the ship will arrive at the end of the week.
The ship can be expected to arrive at the end of the week.
The weather can't be expected to change tomorrow. = It can't be expected that the weather will change tomorrow.
You can't expect the weather to change tomorrow.
This question should be considered to be settled. =It should be considered that this question is settled.
It should be considered (We should assume) that this issue has been resolved.

In a sentence with the phrase “nominative with infinitive” there is sometimes an introductory adverb before the predicate there:
There are said to be rich coal deposits in this region. = It is said that there are rich coal deposits in this region.
The area is said to have rich coal deposits.
There can be expected to be a very good wheat crop in the Ukraine this year. = It can be expected that there will be a very good wheat crop in the Ukraine this year.
We can expect that this year in Ukraine there will be very good harvest wheat.

In a sentence with the phrase “nominative case with infinitive”, after the predicate there is sometimes an object with a preposition by and thus the infinitive does not immediately follow the verb in the passive voice. When translated into Russian, an addition with a preposition by becomes the subject of the main sentence, and the verb in the passive voice is replaced by a verb in the active voice and becomes the predicate of the main sentence:
The goods are reported by the sellers to have been shipped on Monday. = It is reported by the sellers that the goods were shipped on Monday.
Sellers report that the goods were shipped on Monday.
The price is considered by the buyers to be too high. = It is considered by the buyers that the price is too high.
Buyers think that the price is too high.

With the predicate expressed by the verbs to seem, to appear, to prove, to happen, to chance.

The phrase “nominative case with infinitive” is used when the predicate is expressed by verbs to seem, to appear - to seem, to prove - to appear, to happen, to chance - to happen which are used only in the active voice:
He seems to know English well. = It seems that he knows English well.
He seems to know English well.
The weather appears to be improving. = It appears that the weather is improving.
The weather appears to be improving.
She Seemed to have forgotten her promise. = It seemed that she had forgotten her promise.
She seemed to have forgotten her promise.
This house appears to have been built by a good architect. = It appears that this house was built by a good architect.
This house appears to have been built by a good architect.
He proved to be a good engineer. = It proved that he was a good engineer.
He turned out to be a good engineer.
I happened to be there at that time. = It happened that I was there at that time.
It happened that I was there at that time. (I happened to be there at that time).

Notes:
1. After the verb to prove linking verb to be often omitted when followed by an adjective or a noun with an adjective:
She proved(to be) very clever.
She turned out to be very smart.
Not proved(to be) a good engineer.
He turned out to be a good engineer.

When after the linking verb to be follows a noun without an adjective, then to be cannot be omitted:
Not proved to be a historian.
He turned out to be a historian.

2. After verbs to seem and to appear can be an adjective or a noun with an adjective without a linking verb to be. In this case the verbs to seem and to appear matter seem In terms of look, make an impression:
She seems tired.
She seems (looks) tired.
Not seems ill.
He seems (looks) sick.
Not appears an experienced teacher.
He seems to be an experienced teacher (comes across as an experienced teacher).
Wed: Doesn't seem ill. He seems (looks) sick. and doesn't seem to be ill. He seems to be sick.

not usually appears with verbs , and not with the infinitive. (Note where the particle is Not in the corresponding Russian sentence.):
He doesn't seem to know this subject.
He seems does not know this item.
He didn't prove to be a very experienced engineer.
He turned out to be Not very experienced engineer.
He didn't happen to be there at that time.
It so happened that he did not have there at this time.

However, the particle not sometimes occurs with the infinitive:
Doesn't seem not to know this subject.
He proved not to be a very experienced engineer.
He didn't happen not to be there at that time.

Verbs to seem, to appear, to prove, to happen can be used in combination with modal verbs, most often with the verb may:
This story may seem to be rather dull.
This story may seem quite boring.
This picture may prove to be the best at the exhibition.
This painting may turn out to be the best in the exhibition.
They may happen to be at home at that time.
It may happen that they will be at home at this time.

Before verbs to seem, to appear, to prove, to happen sometimes there is an introductory adverb there:
There seem to be no changes in the trade relations between these two countries. = It seems that there are no changes in the trade relations between these two countries.
There seems to be no change in trade relations between the two countries.
There appears to be great excitement about the news. = It appears that there is great excitement about the news.
Apparently this news caused great excitement.
There proved to be many difficulties in solving the matter. = It proved that there were many difficulties in solving the matter.
There were many difficulties in resolving this issue.
There happened to be many people there at that time. = It happened that there were many people there at that time.
It happened that there were a lot of people there at that time.

After verbs to seem and to appear sometimes there is an addition with a preposition to and thus the infinitive does not come directly after the verbs to seem and to appear:
Doesn't seem to me to know English well. = It seems to me that he knows English well.
It seems to me that he knows English well.
She appeared to them to have forgotten her promise. = It appeared to them that she had forgotten her promise.
They thought she had forgotten her promise.

When the predicate is expressed by adjectives likely, unlikely, certain, sure with a linking verb.

The phrase “nominative case with infinitive” is used when the predicate is expressed by adjectives likely - probable, unlikely - unlikely, certain - definite, sure - true, following the linking verb to be. In this case, the Indefinite Infinitive very often expresses an action related to the future:
Not is likely to know her address.= It is likely that he knows her address.
He probably knows her address.
They are very likely to come soon. = It is very likely that they will come soon.
It is very likely that they will soon will come.
The goods are unlikely to be unloaded today. = It is unlikely that the goods will be unloaded today.
It is unlikely that (Unlikely) the goods will unloaded today.
They are most likely to have received our letter. = It is most likely that they have received our letter.
It is very likely (Most Likely) that they have already received our letter.
They are certain to come to Moscow. = It is certain that they will come to Moscow.
They probably (certainly) will come to Moscow.
He is sure to be asked about it.
His probably (certainly) they will ask about it.

In negative sentences the particle not stands with a predicate expressed by an adjective likely with a linking verb, and not with an infinitive. (Note where the particle is Not in the corresponding Russian sentence):
He is not likely to come today.
He probably will not come Today.
The price of copper is not likely to rise in the near future.
Copper prices are likely will not increase soon.

However, with a predicate expressed by adjectives certain And sure with linking verb, particle not stands with the infinitive:
Not certain not to come to Moscow.
He probably won't come to Moscow.
Not sure not to be asked about it.
They probably won't ask him about it.

With an adjective likely instead of a linking verb to be verbs are sometimes used to seem and to appear:
They seem (appear) likely to come soon. = It seems (appears) likely that they will come soon.
It seems likely that they will arrive soon.
The goods seem (appear) unlikely to arrive at the end of the week. = It seems (appears) unlikely that the goods will arrive at the end of the week.
It seems unlikely that the goods will arrive at the end of the week.

Before adjectives likely, certain, sure with a linking verb there is sometimes an introductory adverb there:
There are likely to be many changes in the plan. = It is likely that there will be many changes in the plan.
There will likely be many changes to the plan.
There seem likely to be some objections to your proposal. = It seems likely that there will be some objections to your proposal.
It seems likely that there will be some objections to your proposal.
There is certain to be a discussion of this question. = It is certain that there will be a discussion of this question.
This issue will probably (certainly) be discussed.
There are sure to be many difficulties in solving this question. = It is sure that there will be many difficulties in solving this question.
In connection with the resolution of this issue there will probably (certainly) be many difficulties.

Infinitive phrases with adjectives likely found in attributive clauses:
The delegates who are likely to arrive tomorrow will be lodged at this hotel.

Along with the subordinate clause who are likely to arrive turnover occurs likely to arrive , which is translated into Russian by a subordinate clause:
The delegates likely to arrive tomorrow will be lodged at this hotel.
The delegates who are likely to arrive tomorrow will be accommodated in this hotel.

Object infinitive phrase, or complex complement, consists of noun or personal pronoun in the objective case(me, him, her, us, you, them) and infinitive , and is used only after verbs expressing desire, perception, assumption, command, request.

In a sentence, as befits an addition, it occupies third place, that is, it is located behind the predicate.

A) If the infinitive is used. in the shape of Active, then it expresses an action performed by a person or object designated by creatures. / a pronoun that comes before the infinitive.

b) And if the infinitive itself is in the passive voice ( Passive), then it expresses an action on this person/object.

This is how an English sentence is constructed when they want to convey two different ones at once object/subject and two different actions. In most cases it is translated into Russian by an additional clause with conjunctions to; What; How .

However, not every English verb (2 ) may take after itself a complex addition. You need to keep in mind that:

1. Such a verb should be transitional;

2. The list of these transitive verbs is strictly limited;

3. Even those verbs that are included in this list are divided into those that take an infinitive with a particle to and those that take the infinitive without a particle to.

After these verbs in the “Complex Object” construction, the second part can be expressed by an infinitive or participle I. Difference:

For example:

True, if the verb itself expresses an action of a long-term nature, then this difference is not so noticeable and it is not possible to convey it by means of the Russian language during translation. To denote a series of sequential actions, only the infinitive is used.

The objective infinitive phrase is used:

Passive infinitive:

2 After verbs expressing mental activity . In this role, a common meaning hovers above all these verbs - to suppose, to assume, to assume .After verbs of this group (except to expect) the infinitive of the verb is most often used to be:

And after the verbs to consider, to declare, to find, to prove infinitive marked by verb to be, often omitted:

3 After verbs expressing motivation (order, request, permission, warning). Often the word order of an English sentence with this phrase completely coincides with the word order of the Russian version of this sentence:

If the person to whom the order/permission is directed is not indicated, then Passive is used:

1 After verbs: to make in meaning - force, compel , to let – allow, permit. Moreover, the objective infinitive phrase is translated not by an additional subordinate clause, but by an indefinite verb (coinciding with the Russian construction):

2 After verbs expressing perception with help sense organs . As a rule, they are translated by perfective verbs:

Note1: If the verb to see used in the meaning understand, and the verb to hear in meaning learn(that is, they do not express physiological feelings), then in these cases they do not accept complex additions, and only the construction of a regular additional subordinate clause is possible:

Note 2: Verb to feel may matter count/believe, in this case, turnover can also be used, but with a particle to:

Infinitive in English- This impersonal form. Like a verb, an infinitive names an action, but unlike a verb, it does not indicate person or number. In its basic form (Simple Infinitive), the infinitive answers the questions: what to do? what to do?

to purchase – to purchase.

The infinitive is also called the “infinitive form of the verb” or the “initial form of the verb.”

Table: infinitive forms in English (briefly)

The infinitive can have 4 forms in the active voice and 2 in the passive voice.

However, the most common and relevant for study is the form “simple infinitive in the active voice” (to ask). In fact, when they say “infinitive”, usually, in most cases, I mean this particular form - most of this article is devoted to it.

Below we will look at the same table again and analyze each form in detail, but first we need to clarify two more points:

• The infinitive can be with or without the particle to.
• How is the negative form of the infinitive formed?

After that, let's return to the analysis of each form.

Infinitive with the particle to and without the particle to

The infinitive can be used with or without the particle to:

• I want to help you. - I want to help you.
• I must help you. - I have to help you.

Most often the infinitive is used with to, but there are a number of cases when the infinitive is used without the particle to, they apply to all forms of the infinitive(i.e. all forms from the table above). I note that most often the infinitive without to occurs after modal verbs, other cases are quite rare.

1. After modal verbs (the most common case)

Negative infinitive

The negative form is formed using a particle not– it is placed before the infinitive. If the infinitive has the particle to, the negation not is placed before it.

I decided not to go to London. – I decided not to go to London.

He asked me not to be late. - He asked me not to be late.

I might not come. – I may not come.

All forms of the infinitive in English (details)

Let's look again at all forms of the infinitive:

There are six forms in total in the table:

1. Simple Infinitive:

I want to ask you – I want to ask you.

2. Simple Infinitive Passive:

I want to be asked- I want to be asked.

3. Continuous Infinitive:

I happened to be asking her about you when you came in. “It so happened that I asked her about you when you came.”

4. Perfect Infinitive:

You could have asked me first - You could ask me first.

5. Perfect Infinitive Passive:

She could have been asked by anybody – Anyone could have asked her.

6. Perfect Continuous Infinitive:

He doesn't seem to have been asking wrong people - Looks like he was asking the wrong people questions.

Please note that the most common, necessary and important form to study is Simple Infinitive. In second place - Simple Infinitive Passive. Other forms are used less frequently.

Forms Perfect And Perfect Continuous(that is, those where there are have) – largely overlap with the themes “ and . If you already know these topics, you will see familiar things, but just from a different perspective - everything is explained in more detail below.

Simple Infinitive - simple infinitive (the most necessary form)

The most common and important form of the infinitive to study is the simple infinitive in the active voice (Infinitive Indefinite Active or Simple Infinitive Active). It is used to denote an action that:

1. Occurs simultaneously with the action of the main verb:

Tell him to stop. - Tell him to stop.

2. Refers to the future tense:

I want you to come with me tomorrow. – I want you to come with me tomorrow.

3. Regardless of the time of commission:

To know such tricks are useful. – Knowing such tricks is useful.

Let's name the main cases of its use.

1. With verbs that do not give full meaning

The infinitive is often used in combination with verbs that do not make full sense without it, for example:

• Tell- say/command something,
• Begin- start,
• Continue- continue,
• Want- want,
• Intend- intend
• Try- try, try,
• Hope- hope
• Promise- promise,
• Decide- decide, make a decision.

I want to see your permission. - I want to see your permission.

Do you promise to quit smoking? – Do you promise to quit smoking?

Nina decided not to sing the agreement. – Nina decided not to sign the agreement.

I'll try to help you. - I'll try to help you.

These verbs include modal verbs. I remind you that after them the infinitive is used without the particle to:

I must see your permission. - I need to see your permission.

Can you quit smoking? -Can you quit smoking?

2. To indicate the purpose of an action

In Russian, when we need to express the purpose of an action, we say “to” or “with a purpose.” In English we use the infinitive:

She came to collect her letter. - She came (to) pick up her letter.

We came to help you. - We came (to) help you.

I am calling to ask you about dad. – I’m calling you (to) ask about dad.

You sister has gone to finish her homework. – Your sister left to finish her homework (left to finish).

In this case to can be replaced by a union in order to(with a purpose), the meaning will be the same, but sentences with in order to sounds more formal:

You sister has gone in order to finish her homework. – Your sister left to complete her homework.

3. Infinitive as subject

The infinitive is used as a subject in formal speech, often in writing.

To be or not to be, that is the question. – To be or not to be, that is the question.

To know she is to love her. “To know her is to love her.”

To visit the Grand Canyon is my life-long dream. – Visiting the Grand Canyon has been my life’s dream.

To understand statistics, that is our aim. – Understanding statistics is our goal.

4. To indicate the purpose of the item

If I had known you were coming I would have baked a cake. “If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a pie.”

You could have helped him. – You could have helped him (but you didn’t).

In the case of the verb should there is a hint of regret or reproach:

Where should have taken more gas. – We should have taken more gasoline (but, unfortunately, we didn’t).

You should have been prepared for anything! “You should have been ready for anything!” (but you weren't and therefore you let us down)

Perfect Continuous Infinitive - an infinitive denoting a continuous-perfect action

Scheme: to have been + Present Participle. Example: to have been talking.

This form is used in the following cases:

1. Long completed action

The infinitive denotes a continuous action that was performed but completed before the action expressed by the verb.

The woman seemed to have been crying. “The woman looked like she was crying.

He pretended to have been working all day. “He pretended that he had been working all day.”

2. After modal verbs must, may, should

The assumption is expressed that some long-term action took place, but has already ended.

You must have been waiting for hours! “You must have waited for hours!”

They might have been talking before you came in. “They must have been talking before you came in.”

In the case of a modal verb should there is a tinge of regret or reproach that some long-term action could have occurred, but in reality did not occur.

You should have been studying for your test. – You should have studied for the test (but you didn’t).

Note:

Please note that in all perfect forms of the infinitive, that is, in forms where there is have, the word itself have never takes shape has, as in the case of a verb in its personal form. Word have in this case it is part of the infinitive, therefore it cannot be correlated with person and number, and accordingly cannot take a personal form has(has = 3rd person, singular).

He has a fox. - He has a fox.

The has form is used because it is the personal form (3rd person, singular) of the verb.

He might have a fox. - He might have a fox.

Here have– infinitive, it has no person and number.

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