В пособии рассматриваются основные моменты английской грамматики: части речи имя существительное, имя прилагательное и наречие; видо-временные формы глагола; модальные глаголы; неличные формы глагола

6. Functions of the infinitive

The infinitive may have different functions in the sentence:

1. 
   The infinitive as subject of a sentence
   
2. 
   The infinitive as complement of a verb
   
3. 
   The infinitive as object of a verb
   
4. 
   The infinitive as adverbial modifier
   
5. 
   The infinitive as attribute
   
6. 
   The infinitive as part of some special constructions
   

7. The Infinitive as Subject of a Sentence

In this function the infinitive is always used with to.
In older English, an infinitive subject could easily be put at the beginning
of a sentence, like any other subject:
To know all about English is one thing;
to know English is quite another.
To err is human, to forgive divine.
In modern English, it is more common to begin the sentence with it
(‘preparatory subject’), and to put the infinitive later.
It’s easy to make mistakes. (Instead of To make mistakes is easy.)

8. The Infinitive as Complement of a Verb

In this function the infinitive is used in combination with the link-verb to be
and is generally preceded by to:
They are to be married soon.
To live like this is to enjoy life.
All we can do is stick to our decision.

9. The Infinitive as Object of a Verb

I want to know the answer.
He must learn to work hard and to save money.
The commonest verbs which are followed directly by the infinitive are:
Agree appear arrange ask attempt bear beg begin
bother(negative) care(negative) choose claim consent
dare decide determine expect fail fear forget go on
hate help hesitate hope intend learn like love
manage mean neglect offer plan prefer prepare
pretend promise refuse regret remember start seem
swear trouble try undertake want wish
Some of these verbs can also be followed by the –ing form, often with a
different meaning.
Some of these verbs, and the number of others, can be used in the
construction verb + object + infinitive (e.g. I wanted her to come back
early).
Note that these verbs are all followed by the infinitive with to (except
sometimes dare).


The infinitive is also used after the following phrases:
be about can’t afford can’t bear do one’s best/do what one can
make an/every effort make up one’s mind take the trouble
turn out take care make sure


Note that some of these verbs or expressions can also be used with a that-
clause or a that … should construction (particularly useful in the passive):
I promise to wait = I promise that I will wait.
He pretended to be angry = He pretended that he was angry.


They decided to divide the profits equally.
They decided that the profits should be divided equally.
I arranged to meet them.
I arranged that they should be met.