THE INFINITIVE

Active / Passive
Present
(Indefinite) / To write / To be written
Continuous / To be writing / -
Perfect / To have written / To have been written
Perfect + Continuous / To have been writing / -

The Present (Indefinite)Infinitive refers to the present or future.

  • I hope to meet her tonight.

The Continuous Infinitiveexpresses an action happening now.

  • He is sure to be sleeping now.

The Perfect Infinitive is used to show that the action of the infinitive happened before the action of the verb.

  • He is glad to have gone there before the war.

The Perfect Continuous Infinitive is used to emphasize the duration of the action of the infinitive which happened before the action of the main verb.

  • He seems to have been working since early in the morning.

*Note: both the Indefinite and Passive Infinitive can be used after “there is/are”.

  • There is nothing to say.
  • There is nothing to be said.

In expressions after “nothing could be done…”, “he could do nothing….”, “what could he do…”, “the infinitive is used without to and is preceeded by “except” or “but”.

  • There’s nothing to be done except tell you the truth.
  • There was nothing he could do but escape.
  • What could he do but smile?

* Note: the Infinitive is used without to after most model verbs (can, may, must, should, need), after would rather, had better, would sooner, let’s.

  • He can go if he wants.
  • I’d rather stay at home today.
  • You’d better meet her.
  • Let’s go swimming, shall we?

Exercise 1.Use the appropriate form of the Infinitive (Active or Passive).

  1. A twelve-year-old girl was the first ___ his attention or ____by him. (attract, attract)
  2. I lack the will-power ___anything with my life, __ my position by hard work. (do, better)
  3. There’s no time ____. (lose)
  4. She put on the cape and turned round _____ .(admire)
  5. He did nothing from morning till night but ___ at random. (wander)
  6. Arthur couldn’t but __ at Daniel in silence. (glance)
  7. I like __ presents to my friends but even more I like __ gifts. (give, give)
  8. The child is so pale! She ought __ a change of food and air. (have)
  9. The third key remained __. (test)

10.I meant ____ you about it earlier. (remind)

11. He only pretends _ the books on the desk. (arrange)

12. He’s trying ___ down his excitement. (calm)

13. The case was urgent. The man had ______. (operate on)

14. English people like ____ what to do. (tell)

15.Well sir, I want ___ my words back. I am sorry ___ you name. (take, call)

16. One window remained ___. (wash)

17. She’s lucky __ such a family, ___ all love and care since childhood. (have, see)

18. I am sorry __ my pen. (break)

19. I hate __ you but the student are still waiting ___books for their work. (bother, give)

20. The only sound ___ was the snoring of grandfather in the bedroom. (hear)

21. There is nothing ____ by it. (gain)

22. I am the last person ___a question of the kind. (ask)

23. She said she would love ___ and was simply delighted__ for a date. (come, ask)

24. Let’s go and see the place. You’ll be sorry later ___ it. (miss)

25. She was probably angry ___ in front of me. (reprimand)

26. She sat there trying to pretend she didn’t want _____ and was quite pleased ___ there and __the sun. (dance, sit, watch)

Exercise 2.Use the appropriate form of the Infinitive (Active or Passive).

  1. She only pretends _____. She isn’t easy _____.(frighten, frighten)
  2. He is sorry ____ way to panic then. (give)
  3. I am glad _____ to you at the party yesterday. (introduce)
  4. I didn’t expect ___ this question. (ask)
  5. Don’t talk too much if you want ___. (listen to)
  6. Unpleasant things shouldn’t ______.(put off)
  7. He is happy ____ through with this task. (be)
  8. It’s bad of you ____ so much attention to trifling matters. You should be more serious. (pay)
  9. Dan is happy ___ first prize for this picture. (award)
  10. He is sorry ___ your advice then. (not follow)
  11. There are a hundred things ___. (do)
  12. According to the schedule the plane was _____ long ago. (land)
  13. It’s sensible of John _____ Kate this advice. I hope she’ll follow it. (give)
  14. He is sorry ____ you in your work. (disturb)
  15. It’s thoughtful of you ____ the flowers. She was pleased. (bring)
  16. He claims ____Elvis Priestly. Who’ll believe him? (meet)
  17. Aren’t you supposed _____ after your sister at the moment? (look)
  18. I am sorry _____ you but I didn’t mean anything of the kind. (disappoint)
  19. It was considerate of my son __ of me when I was ill. (take care)
  20. The woman pretended ___ and not ____ the bell. (read, hear)
  21. Ann would love ___ on the beach now instead of typing letters. (lie)
  22. He isn’t old enough ______out late (allow, stay).

Exercise 3.Insert “to” before the Infinitives where necessary.

  1. He did nothing from morning till night but _____ wander at random.
  2. You’d better _____ take me back to Oxford.
  3. They ought _____ have asked me my advice.
  4. I’d sooner ___ die than ___ ask him for another penny.
  5. Your mother has gone to some friends, they do nothing but __ play bridge.
  6. There’s nobody in the world I’d rather __ work with or ____ havegreater respect for.
  7. Why not _____ try ______save her?
  8. You’d better ______get some sleep.
  9. If you say you gave me no encouragement I cannot but ___contradict you.
  10. I thought that I’d better ____ try ____ speak openly.
  11. Why not ____ write to her?
  12. To know all is ___ forgive all.
  13. Arthur could not but ___ glance at Daniel in silence.
  14. It’s time ____ go home.
  15. It might rain. We’d better _ take an umbrella.
  16. I’m tired. I’d rather not ___ go out tonight.
  17. Shall we go by train? – No, I’dprefer ___ go by car.
  18. Get them ____ come as early as possible. Make them ___ come as early as possible.
  19. There’s hardly anything ____ do but ____ work out an alternative plan.
  20. Why not __ start out now?

The Functions of the Infinitive in the sentence.

  1. The Infinitive as a subject. (подлежащее)
  • It’s useless to discuss the question.
  • Even to think of it gave him torture.
  1. TheInfinitiveasapredicative(именная часть составного именного сказуемого).
  • My intention is to get into Parliament.
  • Mrs. Smith's flat was not easy to find.
  1. The Infinitive as part of a compound verbal predicate. (частьсоставногоглагольногосказуемого).
  • The train was to leave at midnight.
  • Imprisonment began to tell upon him.
  1. The Infinitive as an object. (дополнение).
  • She had learnt to dance at boarding school.
  • He found it utterly impossibleto leave the place.
  1. The Infinitive as part of a complex object.
  • She saw him pick up a note.
  • I’d like you to listen carefully.
  1. The Infinitive as an attribute. (определение)
  • I’ve never had time to examine the room.
  • I have nobody to say a kind word to me.
  1. а) The Infinitive as an adverbial modifier of purpose. (обстоятельствоцели)
  • He put on his coat (so as) not to get cold.

b) An adverbial modifier of result. (обстоятельствоследствия) (this chiefly occurs after adjectives with enough andtoo).

  • His eyes were sharp enough to look after his own interest.
  • He was too busy to see anyone.

c) An adverbial modifier of manner (comparison).

  • She nervously moved her hand towards her lips as if to stop him.
  1. The Infinitive asparenthesis(вводное слово или предложение)

Remember the following:

Tobeginwith – начнем с того, что……….

To cut a long story short – корочеговоря

To be honest / to tell truth – поправдеговоря

To say the least (of it) – поменьшеймере

To put it mildly – мягковыражаясь

To make matters worse – в довершении ко всему

So to say – так сказать

To put it mildly, he was not up to the mark.

To cut a long story short, they thought it would be more economical to live at the villa.

Common structures with the Infinitive.

It’s + adj./noun + inf.

- the Subject

Exercises 4.Make up sentences according to the model

e.g. Following him is hard. – It’s hard to follow him.

e.g.It’s a relief that I see you safe and sound. – It’s a relief to see you safe and sound.

  1. Doing this job is very important.
  2. Learning English is necessary.
  3. Killing people is unforgivable.
  4. Riding a bicycle is dangerous.
  5. Interrupting people is impolite.
  6. Dressing a wound is very painful.
  7. Attending your classes is your duty.
  8. It’s a pleasure that I can see you again.
  9. Watching a comedy is very amusing.

10. Rushing through a book is useless.

11.Going with him to picture galleries was a rare treat.

12. Doing it seemed a proper and natural thing.

13. Taking him seriously would be an absurd thing.

Exercises 5.Translate into English using theInfinitive with it”.

  1. Ему трудно верить.
  2. Ей доставляло огромное удовольствие видеть, как играют дети.
  3. Неплохо было бы поехать за город завтра.
  4. Нам понадобилось много времени, чтобы убедить его, что он неправ.
  5. Не предупредить его об этом было бы нечестно.
  6. Вам не помешает, если вы займетесь спортом.
  7. Очень приятно пить из колодца холодную воду в жаркий день.
  8. Джейн потребовалось полчаса на то, чтобы добраться до города.
  9. За этим столом хорошо работать.
  10. Это моя обязанность – учит вас.
  11. Некоторым людям трудно угодить.
  12. Стихи трудно переводить.

too + adj./adverb. + inf.
adj./adv. + enough + inf.

- the adverbial modifier of Result

Exercise 6. Complete the sentences according to the modal.

e.g. I’ m too busy …… - I’m too busy to come to the party.

John is intelligent enough …. – John is intelligent enough to understand the problem.

  1. There was too much noise…..
  2. William is too careful…..
  3. The day was too lovely….
  4. The task was difficult enough…..
  5. She is old enough….
  6. He was mature enough….
  7. Life is too tough…..
  8. The idea was clever enough….
  9. The dress is cut well enough…
  10. The suitcase was too heavy…
  11. I became brave enough…..
  12. The weather is frosty enough….
  13. The boy is too curious…..
  14. Theship was too far…
  15. He didn’t know her well enough…

Exercise 7. Combine the sentences using the Infinitive with “to” or “enough”.

  1. The wine is too harsh. It’s can’t be tasty.
  2. The dress is cut well. It’s elegant.
  3. The weather is frosty. It isn’t enjoyable.
  4. She is far too bewildered. She can’t speak.
  5. The suitcase was too heavy. It was impossible to carry it.
  6. The car is very small. It’s impossible to fit in all the kids.
  7. Life is very short. It isn’t worth hating anyone for long.
  8. She is clever. She is at the top of the class.
  9. Mr. Roberts is much too old.

He can’t go climbing as he used to.

  1. My holiday is long. I can spend it in England.
  2. He is very ill. He can’t eat anything.
  3. Tom was foolish. He told lies to the police.
  4. The bull isn’t big. He can’t harm you.
  5. The coffee isn’t strong. It won’t keep us awake.
  6. She was very mean. She never gave to charity.

Exercise 8. Translate to English.

  1. Она набрала слишком много веса, чтобы сбросить его за такой короткий срок.
  2. Джон был слишком озабочен своим состоянием, чтобы обратить внимание на сестру.
  3. Недостаток жизненного опыта у Гарри был достаточно очевиден, чтобы предлагать ему эту работу.
  4. Я была слишком возбужденной, чтобы позвонить им и поблагодарить.
  5. Дом казался брошенным и достаточно старым, чтобы продать его за такую цену.
  6. Ты и так слишком худая, чтобы тебе садиться на диету.
  7. Он слишком горд, чтобы занимать у вас деньги.
  8. Вы пришли слишком поздно, чтобы принять участие в соревнованиях.
  9. Он был слишком поражен, чтобы вымолвит хоть слово.
  10. Все было сделано достаточно быстро, чтобы спасти его.
  11. Склоны холма были слишком крутыми, чтобы быстро подняться наверх.
  12. Он был достаточно смелым мужчиной, чтобы не растеряться в трудную минуту.
  13. Вопрос был слишком трудным, чтобы решить его так быстро.
  14. Они не знают его достаточно хорошо, чтобы довериться ему.
  15. Было уже слишком поздно, чтобы поменять что - нибудь.

so as + inf.
in order + inf.

-the Adverbial Modifier of Purpose.

*Note: so (that) / in order (that)is used to express purpose in a subordinate clause.

Please, arrive early so that / in order that we can start the meeting on time.

Exercise 9. Complete the sentences according to the model.

e.g. Janet went out in order (so as) …….- Janet went out in order (so as) to buy some food.

  1. The soldiers moved at night so as not………
  2. Scientists used only local materials in order……..
  3. I went to the shops in order……
  4. Joe bought a new motorbike so as…..
  5. We spoke in whispers so as…..
  6. He took a taxi so as not…..
  7. It was a cold night, we stayed in doors in order not……
  8. Sally started learning French in order……..
  9. The woman opened her bag so as……..
  10. I am going to join the army in order……
  11. He listened to the radio in order……
  12. He had a long stroll so as….
  13. I called on him yesterday so as….
  14. …we must begin preparing for the exams immediately.
  15. ..you should read more aloud.

Exercise 10. Translate the sent into English, using so

as/in order to.

  1. Чтобы не выглядеть старше своих лет, вам не надо набирать вес.
  2. Я возьму такси, чтобы не опоздать в аэропорт.
  3. Он делал все возможное, чтобы поддерживать свою физическую форму.
  4. Джон промолчал, чтобы не жаловаться не свою судьбу.
  5. Вы приехали, чтобы сдавать экзамен?
  6. Он шел на цыпочках, чтобы не разбудить ребенка.
  7. Они покинули Африку, чтобы не заболеть малярией.
  8. Они встретились опять, чтобы не расставаться больше никогда.
  9. Посылки рассортировали, чтобы найти нужную без задержки.
  10. Я встал в 6 часов, чтобы не опоздать на поезд.
  11. Давайте дадим ему денег, чтобы он купил словари для всей группы.
  12. Ребенок выбежал, чтобы встретить мать.
  13. Когда я шел домой, я остановился, чтобы купит газету.
  14. Джону нужна удача, чтобы выиграть соревнование.
  15. Секретарь вошла в кабинет, чтобы сообщить, что меня ждет посетитель.

Exercise 11. Paraphrase using the Infinitive as an attribute.

Model I.

e.g. He was the second (theonly one) who came to the finish.

He was the second (theonly one) to come to the finish.

  1. I’d like to be the one who can be offered this job.
  2. Safety is the first principle that must be observed in shooting competitions.
  3. It’s the only important problem that our generation can solve.
  4. Packing is the first thing one should do properly.
  5. She was the last who learnt the terrible news.
  6. He is the last person who can break the promise.
  7. She was the only one who complained.
  8. He was the only applicant who received no reply to his letter.
  9. She was the first who saw the danger.

10. Who was the last person who left the room?

11. He complains that he is always the last who is informed.

12.He found he was the only person who noticed the discrepancy.

13. If there is a vacancy I’d like to be the one who’ll be offered the job.

14. It was the biggest international trial which had ever been held.

15. These houses were among the few which had survived after the great fire.

Model II.

*Note: the Infinitive serves as an attribute to indefinite pronouns (somebody, nobody, anybody, something, nothing, etc.) and expressions of quantity such as much, little, enough, a lot, a great deal.

e.g. Here are some instructions that must be followed.

Here are some instructions to be followed (to follow).

  1. There are a lot of letters which must be typed.
  2. There is nothing one can be ashamed of.
  3. There was so much that was to be done.
  4. There is nothing in his life that he may be proud of.
  5. There is so much one can lose, there is so little one can find.
  6. There was nobody here who could show him the way out.
  7. We had nowhere we could stay at for the night.
  8. She’ll always find something one would talk about.
  9. There was nothing we could argue about.
  10. Is there anybody here who can look after Fred?
  11. There was nothing that could keep him at home that night.
  12. There was not we could gain by pretending.
  13. There was nothing we could fear.
  14. I am afraid there isn’t much one can find out about him.
  15. There are many problems that must be attended to.

Model III.

e.g. The question that will be discussed at the meeting is very important. - The question to be discussed at the meeting is very important.

e.g. I have a child who must be looked after. – I have a child to look after.

  1. The people who will be invited to the conference must take an active part in the work.
  2. He knows all the places in the town that can be found there.
  3. The railway that will be built there will join the two industrial centers.
  4. The next patient that was to be examined was a nice girl in her early teens.
  5. Honesty is the first principle that is to be observed when working with us.
  6. I have a question or two which must be considered.
  7. He is not the man who will draw back when dignity is concerned.
  8. This is the mineral that can be found in this part of the country.
  9. The ship has arrived with the pictures which will be displayed at the international exhibition.
  10. I have a lot of problems that must be solved.
  11. We had no time one could lose.
  12. The library has received a list of the books which will be published this year.
  13. I have a nice tool which can be used.
  14. They had a friend one could get along with.
  15. She had no one in whom she could confide.

Exercise 12. Translate the sent into English using the Infinitive as an attribute.

  1. Вот книга, которую надо прочитать.
  2. У нее есть друзья, которые могут навестить еe во время болезни.
  3. Он не был человеком, который быстро привлекал к себе внимание.
  4. Она первой прервала молчание.
  5. Джек знал, что нельзя терять время. (There wasno……….)
  6. Последний, кто навестил Анну, был её сын.
  7. У нас есть хороший анекдот, который мы можем рассказать вам.
  8. Я позже всех разгадал ее намерения.
  9. У нее есть ребенок, о котором надо заботиться.
  10. Она тотчас почувствовала, что у них есть что-то, что нужно сообщить ей.
  11. Памятник, который будет возведен здесь, будет посвящен героям войны.
  12. Выборы, которые состояться в мае, скорее всего, приведут к победе демократической партии.
  13. Вот проблема, которую надо решить немедленно.
  14. Ему нечего было стыдиться.
  15. Тебе так многому надо научиться.
  16. Ей нечего было сказать в свое оправдание.
  17. Он был следующим, кто пожал мне руку и поздравил меня.
  18. Джон не тот человек, кто может сделать женщину счастливой.
  19. Лестер был не из тех, кого можно было легко запугать.
  20. Она знала, что ни в чем не виновата, ей нечего было скрывать.
  21. План нашей работы будет обсуждаться на собрании, которое состоится завтра.
  22. Мне о многом нужно подумать.
  23. У них не было желания спорить с ним.
  24. У нее есть три сына, которых нужно вырастить.
  25. Вот платье, которое может сделать любую женщину красивой.

Exercise 13. Complete the sentences according to the model.

e.g. It’s interesting to talk to her. – She is interesting to talk to.

*Note: we should always use the Indefinite Infinitive in the Active Voice.

  1. It’s hard to follow him.
  2. It’s pleasant to look at her.
  3. It’s not easy to please the old lady.
  4. It’s hard to find a good friend.
  5. It’s easy to teach this subject.
  6. It’s nice to work with calm people.
  7. It’s not easy to find a road here.
  8. It was difficult to decide the matter.
  9. It’s pleasant to dance with the girl.
  10. It’s difficult to explain his behavior.
  11. It’s nice to have ice-cream for dessert.
  12. It’s easy to give advice but it’s difficult to follow it.
  13. It’s interesting to discuss this story.
  14. It’s not easy to calm an excited person.
  15. It’s pleasant to call on her. She is always glad to receive guests.

Exercise 14. Complete the following sentences according to the modal.

e.g. She is easy …….- She is easy to dance with.

  1. The boy is hard……..
  2. What he says is pleasant ……but rather hard…
  3. The stories are interesting……
  4. The sentence is easy…….and useful……
  5. All she cook is nice……and delicious…
  6. The lady is pleasant…….
  7. She was light on her feel and easy…..
  8. His thoughts are hard…….
  9. Their behavior was difficult……..
  10. This fruit is nice……
  11. The matter is easy……….
  12. The child is nice….but difficult…..

Exercise 15. Translate into English.

  1. В этом кресле удобно спать.
  2. Это заболевание трудно лечить.
  3. Эти инструкции легко выполнять.
  4. Его мысли трудно понять.
  5. С ней приятно иметь дело.
  6. Такие вещи трудно объяснить.
  7. Ее настроение легко понять.
  8. Такую роль интересно играть.
  9. С надежными людьми приятно работать.
  10. Пожилым людям обычно трудно угодить.
  11. В пьесе много сцен, ее нелегко поставить.
  12. Как приятно танцевать под эту мелодию.
  13. В современных автобусах установлены кресла, в которых удобно сидеть.
  14. Это стихотворение легко запомнить.
  15. Их язык не трудно было понять.

- the Predicative

Exercise 16.Complete the sentences using the Infinitive according to the modal.

Note: the subject of the sentence can be expressed by a limited number of nouns, the most common are: thing, problem, wish, idea, ambition, task, aim, job, etc.

e.g. The only thing you have to do is to stay with the child.

His highest ambition
The job of a reporter
Dr. Johnson’s idea
His greatest wish
The only sensible thing
All I want you to do
The most he could do at the moment
The least we can do / is
was
will be / to tell her every thing
to turn his native village into a health resort
to expose his intentions
to go away
to stick to our decision
to give me advice
to try to understand her idea
to write a monumental work on art

Exercise 17. Answer the question using the Infinitive.

  1. What’s your aim in life?
  2. What would you like your friend to do for you? (All I want..)
  3. How do you see the job of an economist?
  4. What’s your duty in the family?
  5. What’s the foreign policy of this country?
  6. What’s your highest ambition?
  7. What did your parents threaten to do when you didn’t behave well in your childhood?
  8. What are generous people willing to do?
  9. What is a quick-tempered man inclined to do?
  10. When a man proposes, what does a woman agree to do?
  11. What can’t students afford to do?
  12. When people get married, what do they promise to do?
  13. What are you planning to do in future?

Exercise 18. Translate into English.

  1. Теперь тебе только остается поместить объявление в газету.
  2. Единственным его желанием было учиться.
  3. Единственный способ выздороветь – это не сдаваться.
  4. Все, что ему хотелось, - это найти место, где можно было бы остановиться на ночь.
  5. Первое, что необходимо сделать семье, - это посоветоваться с врачом, а потом уже решать, поместить больного в госпиталь или нет.
  6. Все, что ей удалось сделать, - это узнать его номер телефона.
  7. Наш план был в том, чтобы закончить диплом в срок.
  8. Ваша следующая задача – проверить результаты экспериментов.
  9. Наиболее удивительным чувством (experience), было увидеть себя в фильме.
  10. Последнее, что я хотел бы сделать, это обидеть вас.
  11. Единственный способ сладить с ней – это не уступать.
  12. Самое большее, что он мог сделать в тот момент, – это предложить мне сигарету.
  13. Самое меньшее, что мы можем сделать, - это попытаться понять вашу мысль.