This document provides an overview of different infinitive constructions in English including: 1. Tense forms of infinitives such as active and passive forms. 2. Functions of infinitives such as subject, predicative, compound verbal predicate, object, attribute, and adverbial modifier. 3. Complex object and subject constructions involving a noun or pronoun followed by an infinitive. 4. The for-to infinitive construction involving a noun or pronoun followed by "for" and an infinitive. Various functions of this construction are described.

1. Prepared byPrepared by
an English teacheran English teacher
O.A. LepertO.A. Lepert
ShostkaShostka
School 1School 1

2. PlanPlan
1.1. Tense formsTense forms
2.2. The functionsThe functions
3.3. Complex ObjectComplex Object
4.4. Complex SubjectComplex Subject
5.5. For-to-the-Infinitive ConstructionFor-to-the-Infinitive Construction

3. Tense FormsTense Forms
Tense formsTense forms ActiveActive PassivePassive
IndefiniteIndefinite to write
to come
to be written
ContinuousContinuous to be writing
to be coming
-
PerfectPerfect to have written
to have come
to have been written
Perfect ContinuousPerfect Continuous to have been writing
to have been coming
-

4. The functionsThe functions
In the sentence the infinitive is used:
1. As a subject. If the subject of the
sentence is an infinitive phrase it is
often placed after the predicate
and the sentence begins with the
introductory it.
e.g.e.g. To know him is to trust him.To know him is to trust him.
It wasn’t safe to cross theIt wasn’t safe to cross the
bridge at night.bridge at night.

5. 2. As a predicative.
e.g.e.g. The point is to achieve the aim.The point is to achieve the aim.
The only thing to be done was to sit andThe only thing to be done was to sit and
to wait until someone came by.to wait until someone came by.
3. As a part of the compound verbal predicate.
e.g.e.g. We must stay at home.We must stay at home.
He tried to see the men.He tried to see the men.
She began to talk.She began to talk.

6. 4. As an object to verbs and adjectives.
e.g.e.g. He asked me to wait.He asked me to wait.
I shall be happy to accept yourI shall be happy to accept your
invitation.invitation.
5. As an attribute. The infinitive in the
function of an attribute may have a
modal meaning.
e.g.e.g. I have no right to ask.I have no right to ask.
We made a list of the things toWe made a list of the things to
be taken.be taken.

7. 6. As an adverbial modifier of purpose or result.
e.g.e.g. To earn a living, he became a salesman.To earn a living, he became a salesman.
I have come here to meet her.I have come here to meet her.
She is old enough to go to work.She is old enough to go to work.
It was too hot to go out into the town.It was too hot to go out into the town.

8. The infinitive may be preceded by the pronouns what,
whom, whose, which, by the adverbs where, when, how,
why and by the conjunction whether and if. The infinitive
phrases of this kind are most frequently used in the
function of an object.
e.g.e.g. I knew where to look for her.I knew where to look for her.
I don’t know how to do it.I don’t know how to do it.
We don’t know what to do with these people.We don’t know what to do with these people.

9. Complex ObjectComplex Object
nounnoun
pronounpronoun (to) V(to) V
The Objective Infinitive Complex consists of a noun in the Common
Case or a personal pronoun in the Objective Case and the infinitive.
The nominal part of the complex denotes the subject or the object
of the action expressed by the infinitive.

10. 1. After verbs to see, to
hear, to feel, to observe,
to notice.
She saw Mary cry.
I heard her call my name.
to V
2. After verbs to wish, to
want, to desire, to like,
to dislike, to hate, to
intend, should, would like.
She wanted them to read this
book.
I’d you to come to our party.
to V
3. After verbs to
consider, to believe, to
think, to find, to expect,
to suppose.
We considered him to be the
best pupil of our form.
We expect the delegation to
come at 5.
to V
4. After verbs to ask, to
order, to allow, to advise,
to recommend.
We asked Josh to work.
The office ordered the soldiets
to stand still.
to V

11. Complex SubjectComplex Subject
nounnoun
pronounpronoun to Vto V
The Subjective Infinitive Complex consists of a noun in the Common Case
or a personal pronoun in the Nominative Case and the infinitive. The
nominal part of the complex may denote both the subject and the object
of the action expressed by the infinitive.

12. 1. After verbs to see, to
hear, to feel, to observe,
to notice.
Mary was seen to cry.
She was heard to call my name.
Passive
2. After verbs to consider,
to believe, to think, to
find, to expect, to suppose.
He is considered to be the best
pupil of the form.
The delegation is expected to
come at 5.
Passive
3. After verbs to say, to
report.
He is said to be a bad man.
The delegation is reported to
be late.
Passive
4. After verbs to ask, to
order, to allow, to advise,
to recommend, to let, to
make.
They were ordered to stand
still.
He was made to leave the hall.
The children were let to go to
the cinema.
Passive

13. 5. After verbs to seem, to
appear, to happen, to
chance, to turn out, to
prove.
He seemed to be thinking about
something.
I happened to see her in the
street.
They turned out to be good
friends.
Active
6. After word combinations
to be certain,
to be likely,
to be unlikely,
to be sure.
They are likely to come.
He is unlikely to win this game.
He is sure to know something.
Active

14. For-to-the-InfinitiveFor-to-the-Infinitive
ConstructionConstruction
The Prepositional Infinitive Complex consists of a noun in the Common
Case or a personal pronoun in the Objective Case and the infinitive.
nounnoun
pronounpronoun to Vto V

15. In the sentence the Prepositional Infinitive Complex may
be used in the functions of:
1) subject
e.g.e.g. For me to see you is the happiest minute inFor me to see you is the happiest minute in
my life.my life.
It’s dangerous for us to be going out in thisIt’s dangerous for us to be going out in this
car.car.
2) predicative
e.g.e.g. That’s for you to think on.That’s for you to think on.
3) object
e.g.e.g. He waited for her to speak.He waited for her to speak.

16. 4) attribute
e.g.e.g. There’s nobody here for him to play with.There’s nobody here for him to play with.
5) adverbial modifier of result and purpose
e.g.e.g. The teacher gave several examples for theThe teacher gave several examples for the
pupils to understand the rule better.pupils to understand the rule better.
It was too dark for her to see him.It was too dark for her to see him.