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

16. Nominative-with-the-Infinitive Construction

The infinitive in this construction is always preceded by to and follows a
number of verbs. The infinitive is used in its all six forms but note that
Simple Infinitive expresses the same and Perfect Infinitive the previous
tense as compared with the finite verb:
He is known to work hard.
He was known to work hard.
They are reported to have arrived.
They were reported to have arrived.


A. The ‘Nominative-with-the-infinitive’ construction is used:
1. after the following verbs in the passive – assume, announce, believe,
claim, consider, estimate, expect, feel, find, hear, know, report, say,
see, state, think, understand and others:
He is heard to be hiding in the woods.
This manuscript is estimated to be 1,000 years old.
She was seen to have left the house.
2. after suppose. In the passive suppose can be followed by the simple
infinitive of any verb but the construction usually conveys the idea of
duty and is not therefore the normal equivalent of suppose in the active:
You are supposed to know how to drive
= It is your duty to know/You should know…
though He is supposed to be in Paris could mean either ‘He ought to be
there’ or ‘People suppose he is there’.
Suppose in the passive can also be followed by the perfect infinitive.
This construction may convey an idea of duty but very often does not:
You are supposed to have read the instructions.
= You should have read them.
They are supposed to have discovered America
= People suppose that they discovered.


B. The ‘Nominative-with-the-infinitive’ construction is used:
1. after the following verbs in the active – appear, seem, prove, happen,
chance
He seems to know English well. Кажется, он хорошо знает…
The weather appears to be improving. Погода, по-видимому, улуч-
шается.
She seemed to have forgotten her words. Она, казалось, забыла…
He proved to be a good engineer. Он оказался хорошим инжи-
нером.
I happened to be there at that time. Случилось так, что я был
там…(Я случайно был там…)
2. if the verbs seem and appear are followed by an adjective or by a noun
with an adjective without to be they have the meaning to look (выглядеть,
производить впечатление)
She seems tired. Она кажется (выглядит) усталой.
He seems ill. Он кажется (выглядит) больным.
He appears a good teacher. Он кажется хорошим учителем.
(производит впечатление хорошего)


3. note the position of not in the sentence:
He doesn't seem to know this. Он, кажется, не знает этого.
He didn't prove to be a very good teacher. Он оказался не очень хо-
рошим…
He didn't happen to be there. Случилось так, что его не было там.


4. the verbs seem, appear, prove, happen can be used with modal verbs,
most often with the verb may:
This story may seem to be rather dull. Этот рассказ может показаться
This picture may prove to be the best. Эта картина может оказаться
They may happen to be at home. Может случиться, что они будут