EXERCISES MEANT TO PRACTISE THE INFINITIVE
* Keep in mind that the infinitive can have the following syntactic functions:
1. subject: To drink too much is, at least, unwise. It is 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
necessary to read the whole article. subject complement: To decide is to act. He is believed to be the best so far. object: Why should you refuse to go with her? I dont know what to do first. object complement: He asked them to attend to the guests properly. We could but watch him go. (the acc. with the inf.) adverbial modifier: We remained to finish the work. noun post-modifier: Here is something for you to take care of. She is not the person to give in so easily. adjective modifier: Youre very kind to help me. Im sorry for you to leave so soon.
1. Change the construction of the sentences and use infinitives: Generally speaking, depending on the context, the present tense of the verbals/non-finites indicates time simultaneous or future with reference to the time expressed by the main verb. This also applies to the infinitive. The perfect indefinite infinitive expresses time prior to that of the main verb, so the relationship between the two is one of anteriority. It indicates actions completed before a certain moment or action in the past, present or future. He claims that he knows everything. He claimed that he knew everything. He claimed that he had settled the matter. We didnt claim that we had been working on the project. We forgot that we had to do it. I hope I didnt hurt you; I didnt mean that. 2. State tense, aspect and voice of the infinitive forms in the following sentences: I am glad to be flying on such a good plane. We were very honored to be invited to the party. She seems to have done everything on her own. He is said to have been taught only by reputed professors. The appointments in the newspaper were to be answered by letter only. They were supposed to have been working very hard on the project which proved, indeed to be a success.
3. Gerund or infinitive? Rephrase the sentences below, choosing between the two non-finite forms; when both are possible, explain the difference in meaning, if any: Make sure you check your spelling before handing in your paper. Remember The accused man said he had never seen the victim. The accused man denied I remember that I was first introduced to her when we went on that picnic. I remember Forgive me for interrupting you. I am sorry I regret Its a pity I didnt see their performance last night.
Making speeches in front of a large audience doesnt disturb him at all. He is used When I ran into him the other day, we started talking. When I ran into him the other day, we stopped There is no good movie on at the moment. No movie is He claims that he did the work without any help. He claims James resolved that nothing should hold him back. James resolved He said it was true he was driving too fast. He admitted They ought to have informed the passengers that the train had been withdrawn from service a week before. The passengers Pressed by the others, he confessed that it would be likely that the truth would come to light later on. Pressed by the others, he confessed
