The compound verbal predicate can be divided into two types according to the meaning of the finite verb: (1) the compound verbal modal predicate;
(2) the compound verbal aspect predicate.1
The compound verbal modal predicate shows whether the action expressed by a non-finite form of the verb is considered as possible, impossible, obligatory, necessary, desirable, etc. these shades of meaning are expressed by the first component of the predicate. The compound verbal modal predicate may consist of the following components:
1. A modal verb and an infinitive. Here belong the combinations of such verbs as can, may, must, should, would, ought, dare, need with an infinitive.
You can prove everything and nothing. (London) His aunt would not give him the photograph. (Hardy) 2. Modal expressions: to be + Infinitive, to have + Infinitive. The loudspeaker operation was to take place in C. Company’s sector. (Heym) I have to work for my living. (Jerome)
3. A verb with a modal meaning and an infinitive or a gerund. Here belong such verbs as to hope, to expect, to intend, to attempt, to try, to endeavour, to long, to wish, to want, to desire, etc.
He wanted to throw himself into the whirpool of Paris. (Heym) We intend going to Switzerland, and climbing Mount Blanc. (Ch. Bronte) Of course she longs to have a ball in her honour. (Du Maurier) Certainly I don’t mean to take advantage of my position. (Wilson) Haris tried to open the tin with a pocket knife and broke the knife and cut himself badly. (Jerome) 4. Modal expressions and an infinitive. They are synonyms with modal verbs or verbs with a modal meaning. Here belong the combinations of such expressions as to be able, to be obliged, to be bound, to be willing, to be anxious, to be capable, to be going with an infinitive.
1 It should be borne in mind that by ‘aspect’ we do not mean here the verbal category of aspect but the lexical meaning of certain verbs as denoting the beginning, the duration and the cessation of the action.
2 Verbs with a modal meaning should not be confused with modal verbs as such, which in the English language form a special group of detective verbs.
Baring had been obliged to forego making friends. (Wilson) I am going to leave Paris. (Heym)
