Практическая грамматика

Note. Some grammarians maintain that in sentences of this type the infinitive performs the function of an adverbial modifier of result (consequence).
8. The Infinitive as parenthesis.
To tell the truth, I’m sick and tired of this nonsense.
По правде говоря, я до смерти устал от этой глупости.
To put it mildly, she’s just a bit curious.
Мягко говоря, она несколько любопытна.
Well, to cut a long story short, they thought it would be more economical to live at the villa. (Maugham)
Короче говоря, они решили, что будет дешевле жить на вилле.
Не was rude, to say the least of it.
Он был груб, чтобы не сказать больше.
§ 30. Infinitive constructions.
In Modern English we find the following predicative constructions with the infinitive:
1) the Objective-with-the-Infinitive Construction;
2) the Subjective Infinitive Construction;
3) the for-to-Infinitive Construction.
§ 31. The Objective-with-the-Infinitive Construction.
This is a construction in which the Infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case. In the sentence this construction has the function of a complex object.
In translating the Objective-with-the-Infinitive Construction into Russian we nearly always use a subordinate clause.
He's a wonderful teacher and I've never seen him lose his temper or get angry about anything. (Wilson)
Он замечательный учитель, и я никогда не видел, чтобы он вышел из себя или рассердился из-за чего-нибудь.
However, sometimes a sentence containing the Objective-with-the-Infinitive Construction is rendered by a simple sentence.
He ordered the cabman to drive on. (London)
Он приказал кэбмену ехать дальше.
... the bombings at night made the old walls shake to their foundations. (Heym)
... от ночных бомбежек старые стены содрогались до самого основания (бомбежки заставляли стены содрогаться).