Constructions with the Infinitive

Constructions with the Infinitive

The Subjective with the Infinitive Construction

Infinitive Constructions

• Three infinitive constructions:
• The objective with the infinitive construction (OIC);
• The subjective infinitive construction (SIC);
• The for-to-infinitive construction.

The subjective infinitive construction

• Definition: the SIC is а construction in which the infinitive is in predicate relation to а noun in the common case or а pronoun in the nominative case .
• Syntactic function: Complex subject.

The use of the subjective infinitive construction - I

• The SIC is used in the following cases:

With verbs of sense perception (to see, to hear, to feel, to watch, to observe, to notice, etc.).

• He was heard to repeat those words several times. (SIC, comp. subj.)
• The boat was seen to disappear in the waves. (SIC, comp. subj.)

The use of the subjective infinitive construction - II

With verbs of mental activity (to think, to believe, to consider, to expect, to understand, to suppose, to find, etc.).

• He’s supposed to be leaving tonight. (SIC, comp. subj.)
• She is believed to be a clever girl. (SIC, comp. subj.)

The use of the subjective infinitive construction - III

With verbs of saying (to announce, to declare, to report, to say, to state, etc.).  

• She was announced to be the winner. (SIC, comp. subj.)
• Не is said to have returned at last. (SIC, comp. subj.)

The use of the subjective infinitive construction - IV

With verbs of inducement (to make, to induce, to force, to cause, to compel, etc.)

•   He was made to keep silent. (SIC, comp. subj.)

The use of the subjective infinitive construction - V

With the word-groups: to be (un)likely, to be sure, to be (un)certain

• It is unlikely to rain soon. (SIC, comp. subj.)
• You are certain to like him.(SIC, comp. subj.)
• She is likely to be late. (SIC, comp. subj.)
• He is sure to become your friend. (SIC, comp. subj.)

The use of the subjective infinitive construction - VI

With verbs: to seem, to appear, to prove, to turn out, to happen, to chance.

•  They seemed to have quite forgotten him already. (SIC, comp. subj.)
• Only yesterday we happened to see him. (SIC, comp. subj.)
• The experiment proved to be a failure. (SIC, comp. subj.)