Speak on the For-to-Infinitive Construction and the Predicative Constructions with the Gerund and their syntactic functions.

In the For-to-Infinitive construction the Infinitive (usually an Infinitive phrase) is in predicate relation to a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case, introduces by the preposition for. The construction is used where the doer of the action is different from that of the finite verb. e.g. He longed to see the truth. – He long for me to see the truth. The For-to-Infinitive construction has the same function as the infinitive alone, though with some restrictions. 1. Subject. This construction usually occurs in sentences with the introductory it (usually placed at the head of the sentence).e.g. It was different for him to do anything else. – For me to hear him was disturbing. 2. Predicative. The construction is usually used with the link verb to be. e.g. To be together is for us to be at one as free as in solitude. 3. Object. The construction functions as objects of verbs and adjectives. e.g. She watched for the doer open. I am so glad for you to have come at last. 4. Attribute. e.g. There was no need for him to be economical. 5. Adverbial modifier of purpose and consequence (result).e.g. She pause for time to continue. He had said enough for me to get alarmed. 1. Complex subject. The construction of the nominal element, which may be expressed by a noun in the possessive case or by a possessive pronoun and the Gerund, which form a syntactical complex. e.g. It’s bad enough Richard’s failing at the exam. It’s no use your telling me not to worry.

2. Complex Predicative. The construction consists of the nominal element (,ay be expressed by a possessive pronoun or by a noun in the common case) and the Gerund, which form a syntactical complex. e.g. The morning passed without my making any decision. The carrying out these plans depends on the documents being signed in time.

3. Complex object. The construction consists of the nominal element (may be expressed by a noun in the common case when the doer of the action is emphasize, when the nominal element consists of 2 nouns or by pronouns all, this, that, both, each, something) and the Gerund, which form a syntactical complex. e.g. - a) He denied Mary having done this on purpose. b) I insist on Mary and Kate passing their vacation at a rest home. – I couldn’t deny both of them having made a reasonable excuse. 4. A complex attribute. The construction consists of the nominal element (by a pronoun in the objective case) and the Gerund, which form a syntactical complex. e.g. Do you mind them coming too? I don’t like the idea of Mary’s going home alone (possessive case). 5. A complex adverbial modifier of concessione.g. I stayed at the party a bit longer in spite of her having told me the sad news.

13. Speak on the Objective-with-the-Infinitive Construction and its syntactic function. In the objective with the Infinitive construction the Infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case, the whole construction forming a complex object of some verbs is used:

1) After words of sense perception ( to see, to hear, to feel, to watch, to notice, to observe). In this case the only possible form of the infinitive is the Indefinite Infinitive Active, used without the particle to: e.g. No one ever heard cry. 2) After verbs of mental activity (to think, to believe, to consider, to expect, to understand, to suppose, to find). Any form of the Infinitive + particle to: e.g. I know him to be an honest man. 3) After verbs of emotion (to like, to hate, to dislike, to love). Indefinite Infinitive Active + particle to: e.g. I always liked him to sing. 4) After verbs of wish and intension (to want, to wish, to desire, to intend, to mean). Indefinite infinitive Active + particle to. e.g. I don’t want him to be punished. 5) After verbs of declaring (to declare, to pronounce). Any form of the Infinitive + particle to: e.g. I declare you to be out of my mind. 6) After verbs of inducement (to have, to let, to make, to get), which the first three take the infinitive without to: e.g. She made me obey her. I can’t get him to do it properly. 7) After other verbs of inducement followed by a noun or a pronoun denoting the bearer of the state or of the action denoted by the Infinitive. e.g. The teacher asked the books to be brought 8) After certain verbs requiring a prepositional object (to count (up) on, to rely (up) on, to look for, to listen to, to wait for): e.g. I rely on you to come in time.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 1191