III. The For-to-Infinitive Construction

The For-to-Infinitive Construction is a construction in which the Infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun or pronoun preceded by the preposition “for”.

In translating this construction into Russian a subordinate clause or an infinitive is used. The construction can have different functions in the sentence. It can be:

Subject, often with the introductory “it”

Eg. I sometimes think it is shame for people to spend so much money this way. – Я иногда думаю, что стыдно людям тратить на это

так много денег.

Predicative

Eg. That was for him to find out. – Выяснить это должен был он.

Attribute

Eg. There is nobody here for him to play with. – Здесь нет никого,

скем он мог бы поиграть.

Complex Object

Eg. He waited for her to speak. – Он ждал, когда она заговорит.

He asked for the papers to be brought. – Он попросил принести

бумаги.

Adverbial Modifier:

of result

Eg. He spoke loud enough for you to hear. – Он говорил достаточно

громко, чтобы Вы могли его слышать.

He had consented, and it was too late for him now to recede. – Он уже

дал согласие, и теперь было поздно отступать.

of purpose

Eg. He stepped aside for me to pass. – Он отошел в сторону, чтобы я могла пройти.

He spoke loud for me to hear. – Он говорил громко, чтобы я могла услышать.

With the expressions “to be sorry”, “to be glad”, “to be pleased” the Infinitive is used only if the subject of the sentence represents at the same time the doer of the action expressed by the Infinitive, over wise a subordinate clause is used.

Eg. I am pleased to have got a ticket for the concert. – Я рада, что достала билет на этот концертю

I am glad to have seen you. – Я раг, что встретил тебя.

I am glad you got a ticket for the concert. – Я рад, что Вы достали билет на этот концерт.

IV. The Absolute Infinitive Construction

The subject of the infinitive in all adverbial functions is the same person or thing as denoted by the subject of the sentence. But the Infinitive may also have a subject of its own with which it forms the so-called Absolute Construction with the Infinitive.

The Absolute Construction with the Infinitive is introduced by the preposition “with”. The Infinitive is used with the particle “to”.

The Absolute Construction with the Infinitive has the function of adverbial modifier of attending circumstances in the sentence.

Eg. Miss Jillian is bellow, Sir, with a carriage to take you home. – Сэр, мисс Джиллиан находится внизу, с экипажем, который отвезет Вас домой.

There are two parallel actions in this sentence. One of them is expressed by the predicate, the other – by the Infinitive. Each action has its own subject.

The Infinitive Absolute Construction is infrequent and found only in literary style.

Date: 2015-01-02; view: 2693