The Infinitive. Syntactical Functions Ex 21 Make up suitable sentences according to the model. Use the list below. The Subject* Model 1: It's difficult to follow you. You speak so fast. 1. It's late — to call on him today. 2. It's always easy —to give advice. 3. It was hard — to believe his words. 4. Why is it so important — to follow the traffic regulations 5. It'll take you very little time — to look through my work. 6. It gives him pleasure —to get letters. 7. It wasn't difficult —to explain to them the meaning of this word. 8. It's hot — to play football today. 9. It's dangerous —to drive a car in a big city. 10. It's time — to raise this question. 11. It was not easy — to explain his behavior. 12. It was so noisy that it was hard — to hear or be heard. The Predicative Model 2: The main problem is to get to the place before dark. 1. My job then was —. 2. His next step was —. 3. All you have to do is —. 4. Our plan was —. 5. The only thing he had to do was —. 6. Among other things the job of a reporter is —. 7. The last thing I want is —. 8. The first thing to do is —. spend the summer holidays in the mountains; disturb you; attend press conferences; learn the whole truth; get her on the phone; explain how-to do it; get information and send it to the newspaper; let her know how-things are An Object Model 3: (a) I am sorry to trouble you. (b) He tried to speak calmly. 1. He couldn't make up his mind whether — or not. 2. The students. of our group agreed — . 3. We didn't know which way —. 4. She was eager—. 5. He was a very careless driver, he wasn't afraid —. 6. We-were lucky not —. 7. He hates —. 8. The boy promised —. 9. I didn't mean —. 10. He went to bed forgetting —. 11. I was happy —. 12. He was determined —. turn; attract everybody's attention; break the traffic regulations; stay for the night in the village; take part in the work of the English club, behave well; win first place; switch off the light; miss the train; see an old friend; be the centre of attention; hurt sb's feelings An Attribute * The infinitive as subject without the anticipatory "it" (eg "To get a cup of tea at this hour is hopeless.") is not common in spoken English. Model 4: (a) She had nothing to do. (b) There was nothing to argue about. 1. He had little —. 2. There was no need —. 3. I have nothing —. 4. The ground is wet. Let's find something —. 5. Leaving this town he had nothing —. 6. He had good news —. 7. We have a lot of problems —. 8. You'll need somebody —. 9. She had nothing —. 10. She has a family — . sit on; say; read; look after; argue about the matter; help you with the work; be proud of; lose; tell; think over An Adverbial Modifier of Purpose Model 5: (a) I 've come here (so as) to have a talk with you. (b) (In order) to understand poetry you must read it aloud. 1. He will have to work hard —. 2. We invited the veterans of war —.3. — I took a taxi. 4. The car is waiting —. 5. I turned off the radio —. 6. We stopped —. 7. I stepped aside —. 8. In order — one must take a boat. 9. He climbed up a tree so as —. 10. — follow the instructions carefully. see where the road turned; not lose a moment's time; not disturb him while he was sleeping; tell the children about their heroic fight at the front; catch up with the group; take you to the station; let them pass; catch our breath; get the best results; approach the house from the river side An Adverbial Modifier of Result Model 6: (a) He seemed too tired to speak. (b) You have only to read it once to understand it clearly. 1. The boys were too frightened —. 2. The roads were good enough —. 3. You must be absolutely blind —. 4. He was a rich man but he was too busy —. 5. Do you know him well enough —? 6. The night was too hot —. 7. He is too young —. 8. You have only to go there once —. 9. The subway station was near enough —. 10. He knew me too well —. be afraid of me; understand what has happened; sleep inside the house; enjoy his money; not see how hurt she is; drive fast; walk there; speak; not want to go anywhere; ask him for help Ex 22 Paraphrase the following so as to use the infinitive as an attribute. Model 1: I must think about my job. I have my job to think about.* 1. He must write some important letters/He has some important letters to write. 2. She had to answer some business letters/She had some business letters to answer . 3. He had to do so many * The construction "I have my job to think about" is more emphatic than "I must think about my job." things /He had so many things to do 4. We must first talk over this problem/ we have this problem to talk over first. 5. They wanted to show me a new picture. /they have a new picture to show me 6. I must ask him a lot of questions/ I have a lot of question to ask him. 7. The Abhazia must cover a long distance before she reaches port the Abkhazia has a long distance to cover before she reaches the port. 8. With so much work to do you mustn't lose a moment/you don’t have a moment to lose with so much work. 9. He must wait (for) two hours/he has for two hours to wait. 10. We must go a long way/we have a long way to go. Model 2: She was the last who left the office. She was the last to leave the office. 1. He was the second who came to the finish/he was the second to come to the finish. 2. There was only one man who could understand my jokes/There Was only one man to be able to understand my jokes. 3. She was the first who learned this terrible news/She was the first to learn this terrible news. 4. Here is the man whom you can discuss the problem with / Here is the man you are able to discuss the problem with 5. She was the last person who could hurt a child./ she was the last person to be able to hurt a child 6. Petrov was the first who raised this question and I was the next who spoke on the subject./ Petrov was the first to rise this question and I was the next to speak on the subject 7. He is the last person who can break a promise./ He is the last person to be able to break a promise. Ex 23 Model: Paraphrase the parts in bold type so as to use the infinitive in the function of an adverbial modifier of purpose according to the model. He raised his hand so that he might attract the students' attention. He raised his hand to attract the students' attention. 1. They decided to have a special meeting so that they might come to some agreement./ . They decided to have a special meeting to come to some agreement 2. She bought this book so that she might kill the time on the train. / She bought this book to kill the time on the train 3. Children go to school in order that they may learn things. / 4. He has come here so that he may have a talk with you. / He has come here to have a talk with you. 5. He repeated it several times. He wanted to make the child behave. / to make the child behave. 6. My neighbour of ten calls on me so that we may discuss politics. /. My neighbour of ten calls on me to discuss politics. 7. I called at the office so that I might leave a note with the secretary for the chief. / I called at the office to leave a note with the secretary for the chief. 8. The young worker followed the instructions carefully. He didn't want to spoil the machine./not to spoil the machine 9. I turned my head so that I might hear better what she was talking about./ I turned my head to hear better what she was talking about. 10. He didn't mention this fact. He didn't want to hurt her feelings. /not to hurt her feelings 11. She spoke in a soft voice in order that she might not attract anybody's attention. /She spoke in a soft voice not to attract anybody's attention. 12. He paid special attention to his pronunciation. He wanted to sound natural./ He paid special attention to his pronunciation to sound natural. Ex 24 Make up sentences according to the model. Model: to get to this place, pass through the village To get to this place he had to pass through the village (you must pass.../you'll have to pass..., etc). 1. understand the instructions, read them carefully. 2. in order to get better results, make an effort. 3. not make things still worse, turn and go away without saying a word. 4. not disturb her, be careful to keep very quiet about it. 5. in order not to get cold, make a camp fire. 6. have no trouble with your home-work, be attentive at the lesson. Ex 25 Paraphrase the sentences so as to use the infinitive as an adverbial modifier of result (see model 6, ex 21).* 1. She was too excited to remain silent. 2. He was so tired to sleep. 3. She is kind enough. to refuse to help you. 4. Do you know him well enough to speak with him on the subject? 5. She was so weak to rise to her feet. 6. You have only to see the picture once and to remember it for the rest of your life. 7. He is so careful to make a mistake. 8. I think you are too much excited, to talk about it today. 9. She was too upset to see anybody. Ex 26 Paraphrase the following sentences according to the model. Model: (a) It's hard to follow him. He speaks too fast. He is hard to follow. (b) It's pleasant to look at her. She is pleasant to look at. 1. It's interesting to talk to her/she is interesting to talk to. 2. It was hard to understand his idea. / he was hard to understand 3. It's nice to work with calm people/calm people are nice to work with. 4. It was difficult to work out this problem/ this problem was difficult to work out. 5. It's not easy to find a good road here/ a good road is not easy to find here. 6. It was difficult to decide the matter./ the matter was difficult to decide. Ex 27 Complete the following sentences according to the model. Model: He is easy to talk to. 1. She was light on her feet and easy —to dance with. 2. The child is nice—to look at but difficult —to teach. 3. The old lady is hard —to please. 4. This fruit is nice —to have for dessert. 5. Her thoughts are hard —to read. 6. It's a good job, well paid and pleasant —to do. 7. A good friend is hard —to find. 8. The story was hard —to believe. 9. His behavior was difficult —to explain. 10. The matter is easy —to arrange. find, explain, read, arrange, dance with, please, look at, teach, have for dessert, do, believe * Note the correlation: too clever to do something; clever enough to do something; only to see something once to remember. Ex 28 Translate the following sentences, using infinitive constructions. 1. Трудно сказать, кого он имел в виду. It’s hard to say whom he meant 2. Он был достаточно добр, чтобы не отказать нам в помощи./he was kind enough to refuse to help us 3. Они остановились, чтобы передохнуть./ They stopped to have to rest 4. Единственное, что вам нужно сделать, это позвонить ему./the only thing you can do is to call him 5. Опасно переходить дорогу в неположенном месте. /it is dangerous to cross the road in the wrong place. 6. Чтобы не обидеть ее, мы решили вообще не говорить на эту тему в ее присутствии./ we decided not to talk about this subject in her presence not to offend her 7. Вам придется выехать ранним поездом, чтобы застать их дома до того, как они уедут./you have to take the early train to catch them at home before they leave 8. Врач остался еще на один час, чтобы убедиться, что жизнь ребенка вне опасности. The doctor stayed for one more hour to make sure the child’s life wasn’t in danger 9. Он спокойный человек. С ним легко работать./ he is a calm person/ he is to easy to work with 10. Вы должны быть очень внимательны, чтобы водить машину в большом городе. /you must be very careful to drive a car in a big city 11. Я старался много работать, чтобы не думать о том, что случилось. / I tried to work hard not to think about what happened 12. Я думаю, что он достаточно умен, чтобы не сделать этой ошибки./ I think he is smart enough not to make this mistake 13. Дети были слишком возбуждены, чтобы вести себя спокойно. The children were too excited to behave 14. Ей нелегко угодить./ she is not easy to please 15. Инцидент был слишком неприятный, чтобы говорить о нем. / The case was too unpleasant to talk about 16. Он первый открыл это прекрасное место для отдыха./ he was the firs to open this beautiful place for rest 17. Его нелегко запугать./he is not easy to frighten 18. Я вам сказал всю правду./ I told you hole truth/Мне нечего скрывать от вас/ I have nothing to hide. 19. У меня достаточно времени, чтобы повидаться с ним./ I have enough time to meet him 20. От него меньше всего можно было ожидать такого поведения./ he was the least expected to behave like this 21. Она была так расстроена, что совершенно не могла говорить./ she was so upset to speak 22. Первое, что нам нужно сделать,—это выработать план работы./ the first thing what we need to do – to work out a work plan 23. Поздно спорить об этом. It‘s late to argue about it. Уже ничего нельзя изменить. Nothing can be changed 24. Ей очень хотелось принять участие в обсуждении этого фильма. She really wanted to take part in the discussion of this film 25. Нам повезло, что мы застали его дома. We are lucky to catch him at home 26. Ей есть чем гордиться. She has to be proud of 27. Он человек, с которым можно поговорить на любую тему. He is a person you can talk on any topic 28. Они уехали последними. They were the last to leave 29. Ничто меня здесь не удерживает. It’s to keep me here. The Passive Form of the Infinitive Ex 29 Study the following chart. Translate the sentences into Russian Устно сделан. Active Infinitive He doesn't want to disturb you. I am glad to give you advice. I'd like you to understand me. They had to do the work in time. She was to meet him at the station. Passive Infinitive He doesn't want to be disturbed. I am glad to be given advice. I'd like my idea to be understood clearly. The work had to be done in time. He was to be met at the station. Ex 30 Give the passive forms of the following infinitives. Write/to be written, feel/to be felt, reach/to be reached, hold /to be held, look for/to be looked for, suppose/to be supposed, laugh at/to be laughed at, search/to be searched, fill/to be filled, frighten/ to be frightened. Ex 31 Choose the correct form of the infinitive in brackets and fill up the blanks. 1. (і) I expect them — a telegram to me. (to send) The telegram is to be sent— immediately, (send, be sent). 2. Some people like — to be left to themselves, I don't want you to leave— so early, (leave, be left). 3. They expect you to attend — all the lectures, (ii) They expect all the lectures to be attended — regularly. (attend, be attended). 4. (і) We hadn't reached the most northern part of the country yet, but cold began to be felt— already, (ii) We began to feel— the discomforts of the night train very soon. (feel, be felt). 5. (і) She wants —to be understood. (ii) She wants — to understand it. (understand, be understood). 6. (і) We were afraid to ask— what was troubling him. (ii) She was afraid to be asked — this question. (ask, be asked). 7. (і) I am sorry —to trouble you but may I ask you a question? (ii) He was too weak —to be troubled. (trouble, be troubled). 8. (і) We expected the meeting —to be held next Monday, (ii) We expected the speaker to hold — the attention of the audience, (hold, be held). 9. (і) He was glad to change — the subject. (ii) He didn't want anything to be changed— in his room. (change, be changed). 10. (і) Some changes had —to be made. (ii) He wanted to make— some changes in the plan. (make, be made). 11. (і) This is only —to be expected. (ii) I don't know what to expect— of him. (expect, be expected). Ex 32 Translate the following sentences into English, using either active or passive infinitive according to the sense. 1. Он не любит привлекать внимание./He doesn‘t like to pay attention 2. Всем хотелось, чтобы конференция состоялась в феврале./ Everyone wanted to take place the conference in February 3. Мы были рады, что добрались до деревни засветло./We were glad to rich the village before the dark 4. Мы не ожидали, что решение будет принято так быстро./We didn’t’t expect the vision to be made so fast 5. Он рад, что ему помогают в работе./He is glad to be helped in his work 6. Ребенок был слишком мал, чтобы его оставлять дома без присмотра. The child was too small to be left at home alone 7. Ему повезло, что его спросили первым. He was lucky to be asked first 8. Дети были довольны, что им дали билеты. The children were pleased to be given tickets Ех 33 Paraphrase the following sentences, using the passive infinitive. Model: The house that will be built here will be a school. The house to be built here will be a school. 1. The questions that will be discussed at the meeting are important for our work./to be discussed 2. The people that will be invited to the conference must all take an active part in its work./to be invited 3. The work that must be finished today is very important./to be finished 4. There was much that could be said on the subject./to be said 5. The railway that will be built there will join the two industrial centers./to be built 6. He has lived in this town a long time and knows all the interesting and beautiful places that can be found here. / to be found here 7. This was for him a chance that couldn't be missed. Not to be missed. Ex 34 Translate the following sentences into English, using the passive infinitive. 1. Этот случай нельзя было упустить./The opportunity was to be miss 2. У нас есть еще один вопрос, который должен быть обсужден сегодня./we have another question to be discussed today 3. В этом районе можно найти много красивых мест./there are a lot of beautiful places to be found in this district 4. Первого Мая на улицах Москвы можно увидеть много иностранных гостей./on the first of may there are a lot of foreign guest to be seen on the streets of Moscow 5. Мы все согласились, что ничего уже нельзя было сделать, чтобы помочь ему./All of us agreed nothing to be done to help him 6. Все дома, которые будут построены на другой стороне улицы, будут учреждениями. /all houses to be built on the other side on the street will be institutions 7. Конференция, которая состоится (будет организована) в мае, ставит очень интересные проблемы./the conference to be held in May possess very interesting problems 8. Я уверен, что факты, которые будут упомянуты в его докладе, вызовут всеобщий интерес./ I’m sure the facts to be mentioned in his report will be over all interest. Ех 35 Paraphrase the following sentences so as to use the passive infinitive. 1. They were to do the work in three steps. /the work was to be done in three steps 2. They are to discuss the question at the next meeting./the question is to be discussed at the next meeting 3. We couldn't calm him down./he couldn’t to be calm down 4. You are not to eat the cake until the whole family have gathered ./the cake isn’t to be eaten until the whole family have gathered. 5. You mustn't argue about the order./the order isn’t to be argued (mustn’t be argued) 6. One can't miss a chance like that./a chance like that can’t be missed 7. You may make all the necessary changes any moment./ all the necessary changes may be made any moment 8. You must pay for the ticket immediately./ the tickets must be paid immediately 9. You mustn't mark the pages of a book./the pages of a book mustn’t be marked 10. You are to keep the children quiet./the children are to be kept quiet Ex 36 Translate the following sentences into English. 1. Работу надо сделать как следует. /The work must be done properly 2. Расписание изменилось. Его надо предупредить. / The time-table has changed. He needs to be worn 3. Такое поведение нельзя разрешить. The behavior must’t be allowed 4. Вопрос не подлежал обсуждению. The question was not to discuss 5. Вечер не может состояться без него. The evening can’t take place without him 6. Инструкции необходимо соблюдать. Instructions must be followed 7. Его тоже нужно пригласить. He needs to be invited 8. Мясо необходимо хранить в холодильнике. Meat needs to be kept in the fridge 9. Обед нельзя заказывать до их приезда. Lunch must’t be ordered before their arrival
