II. The Subjective-with-the-Infinitive Construction

(The Nominative-with-the-Infinitive Construction)

The Subjective-with-the-Infinitive Construction traditionally called the Nominative-with-the-Infinitive Construction is a construction in which the Infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun in the common case or pronoun in the nominative case.

The peculiarity of this construction is that it does not serve as one part of the sentence. One of its component parts has the function of the subject, the other forms part of a compound verbal predicate.

Eg. Jane is said to resemble me. – Говорят, что Джейн похожа на меняю.

The Infinitive with the Subjective-with-the-Infinitive Construction cannot refer to a future action except with the verbs and word groups whose meaning allows of it: “to expect”, “to be sure”, “to be certain”, and “to be likely”.

Eg. We are sure to come at the heart of the matter. – Мы обязательно доберемся до сути дела.

He is expected to give us an answer tomorrow. – Ожидают, что он даст нам ответ завтра.

This fire is certain to produce a panic in the morning. – Этот пожар, беспорно (несомненно) вызовет утром панику.

The Subjective-with-the-Infinitive Construction is used with the following groups of verbs in the Passive Voice.

With verbs denoting sense perception: “to see”, “to hear”, etc.

Eg. Mr. Mc’Cord was heard to laugh heartily. – Слышно было, как смеется мистер Мак Корд.

The rider was seen to disappear in the distance. – Видно было, как всадник скрылся вдали.

If a process is expressed Participle I Indefinite Active is used.

Eg. Jill’s father was heard approaching at that moment. – В этот

момент они услышали, что подходит отец Джилл.

The sentences (The Subjective-with-the-Infinitive Construction) with the verbs denoting sense perception are translated into Russian by complex sentence.

With verbs denoting mental activity: “to think”, “to consider”, “to know”, “to expect”, “to believe”, “to suppose”.

Eg. He was thought to be honest and kindly. – Его считали честным и добрым человеком.

My father was considered by many to be a great man. – Многие считали моего отца незаурядным человеком.

The manuscript is believed to have been written in the 15th century. – Полагают, что эта рукопись написана в XV веке.

The sentences (The Subjective-with-the-Infinitive Construction) with the verbs denoting mental activity can be translated into Russian both by simple and complex sentence.

With verb “to make”.

Eg. Little boy was aroused and made to put on his clothes. – Маленького мальчика разбудили и заставили одеться.

Parents made him to do his lessons. – Родители заставляли его

учить уроки. (Simple sentence)

With verbs “to say” and “to report”.

Eg. The gods had given her dark-brown eyes and golden hair, which

is said to be the mark of a weak character. – Боги наделили ее

темно-карими глазами и золотистыми волосами, что,

как говорат, является признаком слабости характера.

It should be noticed that after verbs in the Passive Voice the Subjective-with-the-Infinitive Construction is more characteristic of literary than of colloquial style, except with the verbs “to suppose”, “to expect”, “to make”. With these verbs the Subjective Infinitive can be found both in fiction and in colloquial language.

Date: 2015-01-02; view: 2067