1. Syntactical and morphological characteristics of the Infinitive

7. The Infinitive & the Gerund as an Attribute.
Inf.: The most common form of the inf. functioning as an attribute is non-perfect aspect active voice form. The non-perfect common aspect passive form is also rather freely used, although, with certain semantic restrictions. Occasionally the perfect form of the active voice is also found in this position:
Ex.: The ‘’Watchman’’ was the only paper ever to have published any of Nevil’s poems.
When performing the function of an A. the inf. is always used with the particle to. If there are 2 or more homogeneous attributes the second (& the following) retain to if joined asyndetically, but drop it if joined by conjunctions.
Ex.: There was my little Jean to look after, to take care of.
The inf. as an A. may be introduced by a conjunction:
Ex.: I had now an idea What to do.
The conjunctive inf. phrase may be governed by a preposition:
Ex.: They had no knowledge of how to live on.
G.: When used as an A, the G modifiers nouns, mainly abstract nouns. It is always preceded by a preposition, in the vast majority of cases of, as in the following combinations: the art of teaching, the habit of speaking, a certain way of walking, a chance of seeing smb…
Ex.: there is a chance of catching the train.
In some cases the choice of the preposition depends on the requirements of the modified noun, as in surprise at, experience in, skill in, apology for.
Ex.: Image his surprise at seeing me.
When it modifies an abstract noun, the G is often used to reveal its meaning, expressing the same notion in a more detailed way. In this case the G functions as a particular kind of A, called apposition. Thus in: there is a chance of finding him at home the Gerundial phrase explains what the chance consists in.
When a G modifies a concrete noun it is preceded by the preposition for & the whole gerundial phrase as A expresses the purpose or destination of the thing mentioned.
Ex.: The barometer is an instrument for measuring the pressure of the air.
A G as A may precede the noun it modifies in phrases bordering on a compound noun. A premodifying A is used without a preposition, as in a dancing master, a diving suit, a reading lamp.