The Object

to long to wait to arrange to mean to be anxious		for smb			to do smth
to make to think to believe	it		difficult easy necessary important best	for smb		to do smth

E.g. I’m anxious for you to succeed.

I have arranged for you to have a private room.

He did not mean for you to stay here.

Your attitude made it difficult for him to tell you the truth.

He thinks it best for you to stay here.

The Attribute

somebody nothing anyone	for smb	to do smth
man thing time place	for smb	to do smth

E.g. There is no one for the children to play with.

There is nothing for me to say.

It is not the right time for us to speak about it.

It was the only thing for me to do.

The Adverbial Modifier of Purpose

to do smth

for smb

to do smth

E.g. He stood aside for us to pass in.

I left the notice on the table for everybody to see.

The Adverbial Modifier of Result

(too)

easy difficult young old

(enough)

for smb

to do smth

E.g. The rain can last long enough for us to miss the train.

The day was much too cold and rainy for anyone to have a good time.

The water is warm enough for the children to bathe.

Exercises

Exercise 1

State the function of infinitives in the following sentences.

1. He came into the room to shut the windows.

2. He seemed to know all about the influenza and said there was nothing to worry about.

3. Do you want me to read to you?

4. They said the boy had refused to let anyone come into the room.

5. Don’t make me laugh.

6. The British Museum is much too big to be seen in an hour or so.

7. She was sitting near enough to see his face.

8. I think the best way to get a general idea of a country is to study the map.

9. You may fail in your English if you go on like that.

10. Thank you for your very kind invitation to visit you and stay with you.

11. To achieve your purpose you should work hard.

12. Her dream was to become an actress.

13. It is difficult to study two foreign languages.

14. They began to walk fast.

15. He continued to speak to the audience.

16. I want to call on you tomorrow.

17. We’ll start to work at once.

18. He was too tired to work.

19. I saw them enter the building.

20. I want you to listen to the text.

21. We came here to help you.

22. He was the first to arrive.

23. What makes you think it was true to life?

24. They are said to have been writing a test.

25. She seems to have finished her story.

Exercise 2

Read the following extract and comment on the usage of the infinitive.

It was on the morning of the party that things really started to happen. To begin with, Mother discovered that Dodo (Durrell’s dog) had chosen this day, of all days, to come into season. One of the peasant girls had to be detailed to stand outside the backdoor with a broom to repel suitors so that Mother could cook interruptedly, but even with this precaution there were occasional moments of panic when one of the bolder Romeos found a way into the kitchen via the front of the house.

After breakfast I hurried out to see my goldfish and discovered, to my horror, that two of them had been killed and partially eaten. In my delight at getting the fish, I had forgotten that both terrapins and the water-snakes were partial to a plump fish occasionally. So I was forced to move the reptiles into kerosene tins until I could think of a solution to the problem. By the time I had cleaned and fed the Magenpies (magpie) and Alecko (the name of a sea-gull) I had still thought of no way of being able to keep the fish and reptiles together, and it was nearing lunchtime. The arrival of the first guests was imminent. Moodily I wandered round to my carefully arranged pond, to discover, to my horror, that someone had moved the water-snakes’ tin into the full glare of the sun. They lay on the surface of the water so limp and hot that for a moment I thought they were dead; it was obvious that only immediate first aid could save them, and picking up the tin I rushed into the house. Mother was in the kitchen, harassed and absent-minded, trying to divide her attention between the cooking and Dodo’s followers.

(From My Family and Other Animals by G. Durrell)

Exercise 3

Define the syntactical functions of the infinitive in the following sentences. Translate them into Ukrainian.

1. To drive fast in such weather is pretty dangerous.

2. What is more pleasant: to love or to be loved?

3. Her habit is to put five lumps of sugar in her tea.

4. Sociable people are easy to deal with.

5. I asked her to explain everything.

6. It’s a funny thing about life: if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.

7. It necessary to be patient when you get in a traffic jam.

8. To take money from him was like robbing a child.

9. The only way to get best of an argument is to avoid it.

10. Everything comes to him who knows how to wait.

11. To let his friends down is not characteristic of him.

12. Man’s true vocation is to cultivate the ground.

13. The dentist recommended the patient to have the tooth out.

14. Her method is to make a child think and find his own solution.

15. It is very pleasant to look after a baby.

Exercise 4

Use the appropriate form of the infinitives in brackets.

1. I’m so dreadfully sorry (to bother) you in this stupid way.

2. He kept late hours last night, he may still (to sleep).

3. “She must (to be) very beautiful years ago,” he thought.

4. It’s a secret, and no one else must (to tell).

5. He’s a talented engineer. He’s supposed (to work) at a new invention.

6. She seems (to work) at her course paper since spring and says she has still a lot (to do).

7. I’ve just seen him passing the entrance door, so he can’t (to work) at the laboratory as you say.

8. The next morning he seemed (to forget) it all.

9. She seemed at times (to seize) with an uncontrolled irritation and would say sharp things.

10. You probably think that I must (to live) a very gay life in France, but it wasn’t so.

Exercise 5

Put “to” where necessary before the infinitives.

1. The teacher made me ______ repeat it all over again.

2. You needn’t ____ ask for permission, I let you ___ take my books whenever you like.

3. Will you help me ___ move the table?

4. He is expected ____ arrive in a few days.

5. You seem ___ know these places very well.

6. You had better ___ make a note of it.

7. I heard the door ___ open and saw a shadow ___ move across the floor.

8. He told me ___ try ___ do it once again.

9. I’d rather ___ walk a little before going to bed.

10. There‘s nothing ___ do but ___ wait till somebody comes ___ let us out.

11. Why not ___ wait a little longer?

12. I felt her ___ shiver with cold.

13. You are not ___ mention this to anyone.

14. We got Mother ___ cut up some sandwiches.

15. Rose wanted them ____ stop laughing, wanted the curtain ___ come down.

16. I’ll have ___ go there.

17. There doesn’t seem _____ be anything wrong with you.

18. She helped me ___ get over my fear.

19. He was seen ___ make a note of it.

20. What made you ___ deceive me?

Exercise 6

Use the required form of the infinitive in brackets. Insert the particle ‘to’ where necessary.

1. That was the last thing she expected (to hear) him (to say).

2. At that hour she was unaccustomed (to disturb) by anyone.

3. She could not let herself (to cry).

4. He wished (to make) the most of his opportunity.

5. He seemed (to think) over what he wanted (to say).

6. I watched the shore (to come) close, then (to swing) away, then (to come) closer.

7. He wants (to congratulate) you in person.

8. He doesn’t like (to keep) waiting.

9. I don’t like (to see) men (to cry).

10. There was nothing (to do) but (to knit) all day long.

11. His face showed grief and how upset he was, and his eyes seemed (to ask) for consolation.

12. But he dared not (to ask) what was in her mind.

13. I decided (to make) a fuss, and went (to look) for him.

14. We walked to the door and I saw her (to go) in and down the hall.

15. It’s very interesting (to hear) you (to say) that.

16. Let’s (to go) and (to find) him, he’s sure (to be) in front of his picture.

17. Some important decisions must (to make) soon.

18. You must (to dream) of it long.

19. Do you want (to make) something (to happen)?

20. There was one more announcement (to make).

Exercise 7

Insert ‘to’ where necessary before the infinitives in brackets (in some of the sentences Participle I could be used instead of an infinitive). Translate the sentences into Ukrainian.

1. He made me (to do) it all over again.

2. He made her (to repeat) the message.

3. If you want us (to get) there before dark you should let us (to start) at once.

4. Would you like me (to go) now?

5. They won’t let us (to leave) the Customs till our luggage has been examined.

6. He wouldn’t let my baby (to play) with his gold watch.

7. Please let me (to know) your decision as soon as possible.

8. He made us (to wait) for hours.

9. I let him (to go) early as he wanted to meet his wife.

10. I’d like him (to go) to a university but I can’t make him (to go).

11. I want her (to learn) English; I think everybody must know it.

12. He tried to make me (to believe) that he was my stepbrother.

13. I felt the house (to shake) with the explosion.

14. Before he let us (to go) he made us (to promise) not to tell anybody what we had seen.

15. I advised him (to ask) the bus-conductor to tell him where to get off.

16. She expects her husband (to pay) all the household expenses although she has a good job, too.

17. What do you want me (to tell) him?

18. I saw the driver (to open) his window and (to throw) a box into the bushes.

19. That is too heavy for one person to carry; let me (to help) you.

20. I saw the plane (to crash) into the hill and (to burst) into flames.

21. The teacher advised us (to use) dictionaries.

22. Her father doesn’t allow her (to go) to the cinema alone.

23. Who told the nurse (to give) the sick man this medicine?

24. All mothers want their children (to be) strong and healthy.

25. I shouted, but I couldn’t make the deaf man (to hear) me.

Exercise 8

Use the correct form of the infinitive of the verb in brackets.

1. Robert hopes (select) to play in the next week’s football match.

2. Sue and Richard are always arguing. They seem (have) a few problems.

3. I sent my suit (dry-clean).

4. I’m sorry (disturb) you, but could you tell me time?

5. Is it ever so kind of you (send) all those lovely flowers when I was ill.

6. If he is seriously ill, his wife wants (tell) immediately.

7. The money for charity is suppose (raise) by the organizers of the party.

8. The police are looking for a missing boy. He is believed (wear) a white pullover and blue jeans.

9. Everything is just the way it used (be). Nothing seems (change).

10. When we got to the airport, we found all the flights (cancel) that day.

11. I meant (telephone), but I forgot.

12. You were silly (not lock) your car.

13. Why is she so late? – She can still (work).

14. You should (tell) you were coming.

15. I’m sorry (not come) last Thursday.

16. If you go out like that you’re certain (recognize) sooner or later.

17. We hope (finish) the project by next Saturday.

18. I would (go) to university if my parents had had more money.

19. Well, I am not sorry (miss) that train. I shouldn’t have met you otherwise.

20. There were always four little boys (pick up) balls and at least three dozen balls (pick up).

Exercise 9

Paraphrase the following sentences using the infinitive active or passive.

1. She was sorry that she had missed so many classes before the exams.

2. Emma was surprised when she heard of his sudden arrival.

3. She was extremely happy when she found her children safe and sound.

4. She was lucky enough that she’d been given another chance to admire the masterpiece.

5. The girl was out of breath. It seemed that she had been running.

6. When she felt worse, she was sorry that she hadn’t consulted the doctor before.

7. You should give this matter top priority.

8. We expect they will invite us to the meeting with the management.

9. It is nice when someone is waiting for you at home.

10. I hope they will interview me for this job.

11. Go and talk with George. He believes that we have unfairly treated him.

Exercise 10

Complete the following, using the infinitive

1. as subject:

1. _______ would be unjust.

2. _______ was very pleasant.

3. ______ is the only thing to do.

4. _______ would be much more useful.

5. _______ is not an easy matter.

2. as predicative:

1. My hobby is _____ .

2. The best way to master a foreign language is _______ .

3. The next thing to be done is _________ .

4. Our aim was ___________ .

5. To say so means ________ .

6. His only wish is ________ .

3. as object:

1. He asked _________ .

2. In the kindergarten children are taught __________ .

3. I am so glad ____________ .

4. We are awfully sorry ___________ .

5. The doctor advised _________ .

6. The child is afraid ________ .

7. I’ve clean forgotten ___________ .

8. Everybody promised __________ .

9. Would you like ________ ?

10. Who allowed you __________ ?

11. Aunt Polly instructed Jim ___________ .

4. as attribute:

1. He was always the first _______ .

2. We have nothing _________ .

3. This is a chance __________ .

4. Benny has no friends _________ .

5. He is not a man ________ .

6. She made an attempt ___________ .

7. Is there anybody __________ ?

8. He always finds something __________ .

9. This is the information __________ .

10. He spoke of his wish ________ .

5. as adverbial modifier of purpose:

1. He came immediately _________ .

2. We’ll stay after the lecture ___________ .

3. They stopped ________ .

4. Write down this rule _________ .

5. I’ve opened the door _______ .

6. He stepped aside politely _________ .

7. ________ you must work hard.

8. The boy ran out _________ .

6. as adverbial modifier of result:

1. She was too frightened _________ .

2. The article is too difficult _________ .

3. The fence is high enough _________ .

4. The baby is too restless _________ .

5. The weather is warm enough _________ .

6. We are too busy _________ .

7. She was grown-up enough _________ .

8. The night was too dark _________ .

Exercise 11

Translate the sentences into Ukrainian, using the infinitive from the following list as:

1. subject

to repair, to hear, to speak, to wait, to search

1. He went off. ________ for him now was a torture.

2. It was impossible _______ the bicycle.

3. It took us twelve days ________ the island.

4. At this moment, ________ required more effort than she could make.

5. It is such a comfort _______ you say so, doctor.

2. predicative

to go on, to try, to tell, to return, to keep

1. My next plan was _________ to the house, avoiding Wells if possible.

2. My advice to you is ________ a coach tour.

3. The only thing she could do was ________ the truth.

4. The greatest thing is ________ our heads up.

5. There was no water nearby and the only things was _________ to find it somewhere.

1. object

to air, to see, to show, to join, to be surprised

1. He promised _______ us all of the island.

2. I must tell Ellen _______ the drawing-room very well tomorrow.

3. I was so relieved that I forgot _______ by her speaking.

4. He asked me __________ his party.

5. Philip was not sorry _______ him off.

4. attribute

to do, to say, to waste, to make, to arrive

1. There’s nothing else __________ .

2. They had very little _________ .

3. There were no objections ________ that you could put your finger on.

4. He was nearly the last __________ .

5. You see I have no time _________ .

5. adverbial modifier of result

to give, to believe, to go, to shut, to waste

1. You’re too young _______ the door on life.

2. She was well enough ________ to visit Henry in the sanatorium.

3. It’s too good a story ________ .

4. The very names of the chapters were enough ________ one a headache.

5. You’re too good __________ me.

6. adverbial modifier of purpose

to spend, to see, to keep, to fetch, to have

1. Jennie had driven off next day _______ the twins from a swimming-pool near by.

2. “Hallo, Mary,” I said. “Have you come ________ me company?”

3. I arrived on a Saturday afternoon ________ a week there.

4. He invited them to the flat one evening ________ coffee.

5. Sometimes people came from London especially __________ the Black Madonna.

Exercise 12

Make up sentences, using the following phrases with attributive infinitives:

A lot to do; no time to lose; a passage to translate; a man to trust; a rule to remember; the work to do; the distance to cover; a chance not to be missed; a nice town to live in; an easy person to live with; nobody to speak to; nothing to trouble about; mistakes to be corrected; nobody to rely on; nothing to be afraid of; a poem to learn; the first to break the silence.

Exercise 13

Point out infinitives of result and translate the sentences into Ukrainian.

1. I intended to use the opportunity, it was too good to be missed.

2. When I left the Post Office I found that I was too late to catch the London train.

3. It was getting too hot to work and we decided to have a break.

4. He was clever enough to avoid talking on this subject with his wife.

5. She considered me to be too young to be drawn into their religious community.

6. She was woman enough not to forget to powder her nose even at that critical moment.

7. His case is such as not to be helped.

8. He heard a loud knock at the front door and opened it to see a stranger in a shabby raincoat.

9. She liked to be kind to people and used to give promises to forget them at once.

10. I wish I were strong enough to help you.

Exercise 14

Paraphrase the following sentences so as to use infinitives of result.

Model: - The storm was so strong that I couldn’t go out.

The storm was too strong (for me) to go out.

• The text is so short that it can’t be translated in an hour.

The text is short enough to be translated in an hour.

1. It was so dark that he could see nothing before him.

2. She was so excited that she couldn’t utter a word.

3. He was so angry, he wouldn’t speak to me.

4. His English vocabulary is very poor; he can’t make himself understood.

5. She knows English so well that she can read Somerset Maugham in the original.

6. Mr. Smith was so cruel that he could send a man to death.

7. The man was so down and out that he couldn’t get a decent job.

Exercise 15

Paraphrase the following sentences, making the object of the infinitive the subject of the sentence.

Model: - It is hard to please him.

He is hard to please.

• It is pleasant to look at her.

She is pleasant to look at.

1. It is not difficult to remember the rule. It is simple.

2. It’s comfortable to sit in this old armchair.

3. She’s a kind person. It’s easy to deal with her.

4. He’s very stubborn. It’s difficult to persuade him.

5. It’s not very easy to translate this passage. It contains some idiomatic expressions.

6. It’s pleasant to look at the girl, but not at all pleasant to talk to her. She’s pretty, but not very clever.

7. It was unpleasant to watch their quarrel.

8. It’s always funny to listen to his stories.

9. It would be useful to follow his advice.

10. It’s not very easy to answer this question.

Exercise 16

Make up sentences, using the following adjectives with infinitives (follow the examples of the previous exercise).

Easy to deal with; difficult to understand; pleasant to look at; hard to please; useful to remember; amusing to watch; easy to answer; easy to follow; difficult to avoid; pleasant to talk to; not far to seek; not easy to find.

Exercise 17

Replace the clauses in the following sentences with infinitive phrases.

1. I should be delighted if I could get acquainted with the captain of your team.

2. He was annoyed when he learnt that they hadn’t chosen him as a player for the All-Union match.

3. I was sorry that I had missed the beginning of the match.

4. We must wait till we hear the referee’s whistle, then we’ll see the teams coming out.

5. You would be foolish if you missed the chance

6. I’m pleased that I’ve been of some service to you.

7. She turned to me as if she was going to ask me something.

8. We are happy that we have won, it was a difficult match.

9. I’m sorry that I’ve been of so little assistance.

10. He pressed his finger to his lips as if he wanted to warn her.

Exercise 18

Combine each of the following pairs of sentences into one sentence using ‘enough’ with infinitive.

Model: He is strong He can carry it. – He is strong enough to carry it.

1. The rope wasn’t strong. It couldn’t support the two men.

2. The fire isn’t very hot. It won’t boil a kettle.

3. The coffee isn’t strong. It won’t keep us awake.

4. I am quite old. I could be your father.

5. You aren’t very old. You can’t understand these things.

6. He was very curious. He opened the letter.

7. You are quite thin. You could slip between bars.

Exercise 19

Combine each of the following pairs of sentences into one sentence using ‘so as / in order’ with infinitive.

Model: He turned out the light. He didn’t want to waste electricity. – He turned out the light so as / in order not to waste electricity.

1. I took off my shoes. I didn’t want to make any noise.

2. He was playing very softly. He didn’t want to disturb anyone.

3. I sent him out of the room. I wanted to discuss his progress with his headmaster.

4. I am learning Greek. I wish to read Homer.

5. He sent his children to their aunt’s house. He wanted to have some peace.

6. He read only for short periods each day. He didn’t want to strain his eyes.

7. They got up very early. They wanted to get to the top of the hill before sunrise.

8. We must keep our gloves on. We don’t want to get frostbitten.

Exercise 20

Read the following extract. Choose the correct forms of the verbs in brackets. Say if the writer finds his years of adolescence happy or not. If not, why?

My childhood was, on the whole, happy and straightforward, and I felt affection for most grown-ups with whom I was brought in contact. I remember a very definite change when I reached what in modern child psychology is called “the latency period”. At this stage I began (to enjoy) using slang, pretending (to have) no feelings, and being generally “manly”. I began (despise) my people, chiefly because of their extreme horror of slang and their absurd notion that it was dangerous (to climb) trees. So many things were forbidden that I acquired the habit of deceit, in which I persisted up to the age of 21. It became second nature to me (to think) that whatever I was doing had better (to keep) to myself, and I have never quite overcome the impulse to concealment which was thus generated. I still have an impulse (to hide) what I am reading when anybody comes into the room, and (to hold) my tongue as to where I have been and what I have done. It is only by a certain effort of will that I can (to overcome) the impulse of concealment which was thus generated by the years during which I had (to find) my way among a set of foolish prohibitions.

The years of adolescence were to me very lonely and very unhappy. Both in the life of the emotions and in the life of intellect, I was obliged (to preserve) an impenetrable secrecy towards my people.

(From Autobiography by B. Russell)

Exercise 21

Study the table below. Paraphrase the following so as to use a to-infinitive after nouns / pronouns.

There is / there are + noun / pronoun + to-infinitive. There are five letters to write /to be written. Note: The active to-infinitive has a passive meaning here.

Have / have got + noun / pronoun + to-infinitive She had nowhere to sleep. = She didn’t have a bedroom or bed. Note: You cannot use the passive infinitive here

Note the idioms: He is nowhere to be seen / to be found. Nobody’s to blame.

1. There are so many books that must be read.

2. I have no money which I can spend.

3. There is nothing that we might do now.

4. There was nothing that might keep him at home that night, and he gladly accepted the invitation.

5. She had no one who could take care of her.

6. We’ve got no time that we can lose.

7. I have three exercises that I must do.

8. There are still a lot of things that must be packed.

9. There is nothing that we can say.

10. She must type twenty letters.

11. You can’t blame anybody for this.

Exercise 22

Study the examples, then combine the statements into one sentence using so as to and negative so as not to. Use the infinitive in the syntactical function of the adverbial modifier of purpose.

Remember:

The infinitive in the syntactical function of the adverbial modifier of purpose cannot be used in the negative. The long form in order not to is rather too formal in speech. So as to and the negative so as not to are usual when the ideas of purpose and result are combined.

Jane and Sally work in different departments of the same large company. They are chatting casually about work.

Model: Jane: I left home at eight this morning. I didn’t want to arrive late again!

I left home at eight this morning so as not to arrive late again!

Sally: I drove into town earlier either, too. I wanted to avoid rush-hour traffic.

I drove into town earlier, too so as to avoid the rush-hour traffic.

1. Jane: I sometimes walk to work. It keeps my weight down.

2. Sally: I’m living on fruit juice and cheese this week. I don’t want to put weight before the film’s annual dinner!

3. Jane: I’m going on a diet, too. I don’t want to have to buy a new dress for the dinner!

4. Sally: I’ll go to bed early tonight. I want to be fresh for our foreign visitors tomorrow!

5. Jane: And I’m going to the hairdresser’s after work. I want to make a good impression on my new boss!

6. Sally: I came up to the office by the stairs. I didn’t want to bump into the marketing manager in the lift!

7. Jane: I’m taking the day off on Friday. I want to have an excuse for not attending another boring Board Meeting!

8. Sally: And I’m taking Friday off, too! I want to have enough time to prepare for our office party on Friday evening.

Exercise 23

Here are some set expressions with the to-infinitive. Match them with their meanings or explanations.

1. To tell you the truth, …/ to be frank with you, …	a) From what he / she says, …
2. To cut a long story short, …	b) The first thing is / was, …
3. To get to the point, …	c) I’m going to say what I really think, …
4. To begin with, …/ to start with, …	d) I’m going to say this in different words, …
5. To put it another way, …	e) Now I’m going to tell you the important thing.
6. To hear him / her talk, …	f) I’m going to try to shorten the whole thing.
7. Needless to say, …	g) It’s clear that …

Exercise 24

Translate the following sentences into Ukrainian, paying attention to the use of the particle “to”, which implies the verb already mentioned.

1. He hadn’t wanted to laugh then, nor did he want to now.

2. You needn’t say anything if you don’t want to.

3. Michael knew a lot, or seemed to.

4. Well, let’s forget it, shall we? – I’m glad to, thanks very much.

5. She always kept her mouth shut when told to.

6. It was my fault. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to, I didn’t mean to.

7. I know I should have come to you and told you about it, but I was afraid to.

8. I’d be glad to see you. Come any time you like. – Darling, you know I long to. But I can’t.

9. You can’t send this letter. – I’m certainly going to, by air-mail from Port Said.

10. I couldn’t do what I wanted to.

Exercise 25

In each of the following pairs of sentences the infinitive used in the first sentence is repeated in the second. Read the sentences, expressing this second infinitive by to only. Note that where the second infinitive has an object, this word / phrase must be omitted.

Model: Why didn’t you tell me the truth the first time? – I meant to tell you the truth but I was too frightened. – I meant to but I was too frightened.

1. Did you visit the Pyramids? – No, I wanted to visit them but there wasn’t time.

2. Why do you wear dark glasses? – I have to wear them; I have weak eyes.

3. Do you smoke? – No, I used to smoke but I don’t now.

4. Would you like to go to the theatre tonight? – Yes, I’d love to go to the theatre.

5. Why didn’t you pay the bill for him? – I offered to pay it but he refused.

6. Have you put the car in the garage? – No, but I’m going to put it there.

7. I want you two to apologize to each other. – Well, I’m willing to apologize if he apologizes first.

8. Did you reserve seats on the train? – No, I tried to reserve them but they had been booked already.

9. Did you answer the letter? – No, I intended to answer but I’m afraid I forgot.

10. Why didn’t you hit him? – I was afraid to hit him.

11. Why didn’t you ask your father for the money? – I didn’t like to ask him.

12. Did you get any chance to fly the plane yourself? – No, I wanted to fly it but the pilot wouldn’t let me.

13. Why doesn’t he punish his boys when they disobey him? - He often threatens to punish them but he never actually does so.

14. Why didn’t he repair the car himself? – He wasn’t able to repair it.

15. Did you buy sausages? – No, I meant to buy them but I forgot.

16. You should visit the Prado when you are in Madrid. – Yes, I intend to visit it.

17. Why doesn’t he play games? – His mother doesn’t want him to play games.

18. You ought to stop work now. – Yes, I’m just going to stop.

19. Why do some jockeys carry extra weights? - They are obliged to carry them by the regulations.

20. You should have thanked her before you left. – I meant to thank her but when I was going I couldn’t find her anywhere.

21. Why did she put parsley in the soup? – I told her to put it in.

22. You used to like rice pudding. – Yes, I know I used to like it but I don’t now.

23. Why didn’t you buy the car? – I was advised not to buy it.

24. Why did you bring your mother-in-law? I particularly asked you not to bring her.

25. Why didn’t he call the police? – He wasn’t able to call them. His telephone line had been cut.

Exercise 26

Respond to the following questions or statements, using the phrases from the list in brackets.

1. They say you read a lot.

2. Why didn’t you invite them?

3. Will you write a letter to her?

4. Why can’t you go with us?

5. I’m afraid you can’t come.

6. I see you haven’t bought any oranges.

7. You must take care of it.

8. She says you are going to help her.

9. Why don’t you dance with him?

10. You didn’t sign your test paper.

( Not so much as I used to; I simply didn’t want to; Yes, if you wish me to; But I’ll try to; I’m not allowed to; I meant to, but I forgot; Yes, I ought to; I suppose I’ll have to; He didn’t ask me to; No, I forgot to. )

Exercise 27

Replace the group of words in bold type by an infinitive.

Model: He was the first man who arrived. – He was the first (man) to arrive.

1. The captain was the last who left the ship.

2. He got to the top and was very disappointed when he found that someone else had reached it first.

3. I was astonished when I heard that he had left his native town.

4. There was no place where he could sit.

5. He put his hand into his pocket and was astonished when he found that his wallet wasn’t there.

6. I can’t go to the party; I have nothing that I can wear.

7. He reached the station exhausted and was very disappointed when he learnt that the train had just left.

8. He was the first man who swam the channel.

9. He was the only one who realized the danger.

10. He took out his spare wheel and was very disappointed when he discovered that that tyre was also punctured.

Exercise 28

Combine each of the following pairs of sentences into one sentence using an infinitive.

Model: They sent me to Spain, they wanted me to learn Spanish. – They sent me to Spain to learn Spanish.

1. I am buying paint. I want to paint my hall door.

2. He opened the lions’ cage. He intended to feed the lions.

3. He rushed into the burning house. He wanted to save the child.

4. He rang the bell. He wanted to tell us that the dinner was ready.

5. The farmer put a scarecrow up in the field. He wanted to frighten the birds.

6. He sent his children to his sister’s house. He wanted them to watch the television programme.

7. I am saving up. I want to buy a car.

8. I keep my hens in a field surrounded by wire netting. I want to protect them against the foxes.

9. You should take your holidays in June. In this way you would avoid the rush.

10. They evacuated everybody from the danger zone. They wanted to reduce the risk.

Exercise 29

Complete the following, using a suitable infinitive phrase.

1. Can you advise me ________?

2. I can’t make up my mind ________.

3. She hesitated__________.

4. I am at a loss ________.

5. The trouble is _________.

6. _________ is the first thing to decide.

7. His chief difficulty was _________.

8. I didn’t want __________.

9. Show me ___________.

10. Nobody could tell _________ .

Exercise 30

Some parents were asked what ‘rules’ they would apply to teenagers. The beginning and ends of their responses have been mixed up. Rewrite the sentences according to what you think they actually said. (In some cases various combinations are possible.)

1. We wouldn’t let them …

2. We’d expect them…

3. We’d make them …

4. We wouldn’t let them …

5. We’d tell them not …

6. We’d warn them not …

7. We’d let them …

8. We’d make them …

9. We’d encourage them…

10. We’d ask them not …

11. We’d want them …

1. … keep their rooms tidy.

2. … smoke in the house.

3. … go out late at the weekend.

4. … take their studies seriously.

5. … to respect their elders.

6. … to keep fit.

7. … hitch-hike by themselves.

8. … to take drugs.

9. … to play their music too loud.

10. … to do well at school.

11. … to believe everything they hear.

Discuss your sentences with a partner. Do you agree with the parents ‘rules’?

Exercise 31

Point out the Objective-with-the-Infinitive constructions. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian.

1. We expect her to come tomorrow.

2. Everyone consider him to be a clever man.

3. I wish John to come to our place at the weekend.

4. We ordered a huge bunch of flowers to be brought by seven o’clock.

5. I have never heard him play the piano.

6. Every spring we see the leaves on the trees come out again.

7. Usually English people don’t like the strangers to ask personal questions.

8. I will let you use my car if necessary.

9. The nurse felt him tremble with cold.

10. You could have heard a pin drop.

11. You mustn’t let it worry you.

12. What made you think so?

13. People know him to be an honest man.

14. He wished the specialist to cure him of his illness.

15. I know him to be working very hard.

16. What made you come so early?

17. I’ve never seen them talk together.

18. How can you let your son go there alone?

19. The borrowed the money, didn’t they? Let them pay it back.

Exercise 32

Change the following sentences so as to use the Objective-with-the-Infinitive construction with verbs to get, to have, to make.

1. My brother insisted that I should go and buy tickets for the football match.

2. His wife insisted that he should go in for weight lifting.

3. Judy’s parents insisted that she should go to Lock Willow for her summer holidays.

4. The supervisor on school practice insisted that Nick should take part in the discussion.

5. The referee insisted that the football player should leave the field as he was extremely rude.

6. The coach insisted that the team should train harder before the hockey match.

7. His mother insists that he should go to the dentist twice a year.

8. The teacher insisted that he should attend classes regularly.

9. Mother insisted that I should take the suit to the dry-cleaner’s.

10. My doctor insisted that I should spend my holidays in the mountains.

Exercise 33

Say what you were made, allowed, forbidden, let and forced when a child. Use the ideas from the box below.

Have parties Stay out late Bring friends home. Listen to loud music. Wear whatever clothes you want. Watch late films on TV.

Spend lots of money on records. Get up early on Sundays. Help at home. Buy your own clothes. Go on holiday with friends. Talk on the telephone for hours.

Exercise 34

Say what the warning advises / reminds / tells / warns you to do or not to do. Use sentences with the Objective-with-the-Infinitive construction.