The Subjective Infinitive Construction (traditionally called the Nominative-with-the-Infinitive Construction) 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 peculiarity of this construction is that it does not serve as one part of the sentence: one component parts has the function of the subject, the other Forms part of a compound verbal predicate.
Edith is said to resemble me. (Dickens)
The use of the complex subject construction
The Complex Subject (The Subjective Infinitive) Construction is used with the following groups of verbs in the Passive Voice:
1. With verbs denoting sense perception: to see, to hear, etc.
Mr. Bob Sawyer was heard to laugh heartily. (Dickens)
If a process is expressed Participle I Indefinite Active is used.
Tess's father was heard approaching at that moment. (Hardy)
2. With verbs denoting mental activity: to think, to consider, to know, to expect, to believe, to suppose.
He was thought to be honest and kindly. (Dreiser)
3. With the verb to make.
Little Abraham was aroused... and made to put on his clothes...(Hardy)
4. With verbs to say and to report.
The gods had given Irene dark-brown eyes and golden hair, which is said to be the mark of a weak character. (Galsworthy) [4]
The for-to-Infinitive Construction.
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. In translating this construction into Russian a subordinate clause or an infinitive is used.
The construction can have different functions in the sentence. It can be:
1. Subject (often with the introductory it).
Fоr me to ask would be treason, and for me to be told would treason. (Wilson)
2. Predicative.
That was for him to find out. (Eliot)
3. Complex object.
He waited for her to speak. (Hardy)
4. Attribute.
The best thing for you to do is to bide here with your load.
5. Adverbial modifier:
(a) оf purpose.
Here’s the thermometer: they've left it for the doctor to see instead of shaking it down. (Shaw)
(b) of result.
The pleasure of accompanying you was too great a temptation for me to resist. (Collins)
With the expressions to be sorry, to be glad the infinitive is used only if the subject of the sentence represents at the same time the doer of the action expressed by the infinitive.
I am glad (pleased) to have got a ticket for the concert.
I am glad to have seen you. (Dreiser)
I am very sorry to have done a man wrong, particularly when it can’t be undone. (Dickens)
In other cases a clause is used with to be glad and to be sorry.
I am glad you got a ticket for the concert.
“I am glad you think so,” returned Doyce, with his grey eye looking kind and bright. (Dickens).[5]
Tasks.
I. Find sentences, in which infinitive is used in function of the Complex Subject, and translate:
1. The task if the police was to find the thief and recover the stolen property.
2. The expert supposes that both crimes might have been committed by the same person.
3. The first person to be interviewed was the eye – witness of the road accident.
4. To fight crime is the task not only of the Militia but of the whole population as well.
5. The investigator was to have solved the crime.
II. Suggest the form and the function of infinitive and translate.
1. In the middle of the 19th century the colonial policy of the British Government was to transform Australia into a producer of cheap wool and meat for Britain.
2. In order to begin prosecution it is necessary to have evidence establishing the fact of the commission of the crime.
3. The case was to be considered as soon as possible.
4. One of the basic problems to be solved by criminological research is how the social structure effects human behaviour.
5. The duty of the state is to provide education to all its citizens.
III. Transform the sentences into the sentences with the for-to-Infinitive Construction.
1.She was anxious that her dress should be made in time.
2. We are waiting when Ann finishes trying on different clothes.
3. I bought some accessories that you can put on with your outgoing suit.
4. The skirt and the blouse are so bright that I can’t put them on at the exam.
5. They are waiting until the fashion-show begins.
6. Here are the hat and scarf that you must wear.
7. These boots are very old; you can’t wear them.
[1] Каушанская В.Л., Прокофьева Е.В., Кожевникова О.Н. A Grammar of the English Language / Грамматика английского языка. Пособие для студентов педагогических институтов. – Айрис Пресс, 2016. С. 186
[2] L.G. Alexander. Longman English Grammar Practice. – Longman, 2015. C. 303
[3] Каушанская В.Л., Прокофьева Е.В., Кожевникова О.Н. A Grammar of the English Language / Грамматика английского языка. Пособие для студентов педагогических институтов. – Айрис Пресс, 2016. С. 195
[4] A. J. Thomson. A Practical English Grammar. A Practical English Grammar is intended for intermediate and post-intermediate students. - Oxford University Press. Fourth Edition. С. 155
[5] Каушанская В.Л., Прокофьева Е.В., Кожевникова О.Н. A Grammar of the English Language / Грамматика английского языка. Пособие для студентов педагогических институтов. – Айрис Пресс, 2016. С. 201