Практическая грамматика

§ 29. The functions of the Infinitive in the sentence.
The Infinitive can be used in different syntactic functions. A single Infinitive occurs but seldom: in most cases we find an infinitive phrase, i. e. an infinitive with one or several accompanying words.
1. The Infinitive as a subject. The to- Infinitive is but seldom used in this function:
To send him that letter was a mistake.
To fulfil this condition was out of my power.
The Infinitive as a subject can be rendered in Russian by an infinitive, by a noun, or by a clause.
Much more frequent is the case to use the to- Infinitive as a subject beginning the sentence with it (the introductory it). The introductory it is not translated into Russian.
It isn’t expensive to play tennis in England.
В Англии играть в теннис недорого.
It is useless to discuss the question. (Eliot)
Бесполезно обсуждать этот вопрос.
It was pleasant to be driving a car again. (Braine)
Было приятно снова вести машину.
2. The Infinitive as a predicative.
He’s greatest wish was to tell her everything.
Самым большим его желанием было рассказать ей все.
My intention is to get into parliament. (Trollops)
Моя цель—пройти в парламент.
The Infinitive can also be used as part of a predicative.
This book is hard to get.
Эту книгу трудно достать.
The abode of Mrs. Betty was not easy to find. (Dickens)
Жилище миссис Бетти было нелегко найти.
3. The Infinitive as part of a compound verbal predicate.
a) after modal verbs, modal expressions, and verbs expressing modality the Infinitive forms part of a compound verbal modal predicate.
She must speak now or not at all. (Cronin)
Она должна говорить сейчас или не говорить вообще.
Is there a stream where we could bathe?
Здесь есть ручей, где мы могли бы искупаться?
I intend to lead a better life in the future. (Wilde)
Я намереваюсь в будущем жить лучше.
He wanted to tell her of the incident, longed to end their period of strife.
Он хотел рассказать ей о том, что случилось, хотел положить конец периоду их взаимного отчуждения.
b) With verbs denoting the beginning, duration, or end of an action the Infinitive forms part of a compound verbal aspect predicate.
Imprisonment began to tell upon him. (Dickens)
Before daylight it started to drizzle. (Hemingway)
Clare continued to observe her. (Hardy)
... they gradually ceased to talk. (Twain)