The Infinitive. The Infinitive Construction.
Инфинитив – это неличная форма глагола, которая называет действие и в русском языке соответствует неопределенной форме глагола (инфинитиву), которая отвечает на вопросы: ‘’что делать?’’, ‘’что сделать?’’:
to read – читать, прочитать
to investigate – расследовать
to detect – разыскать, разыскивать
Формальным признаком инфинитива является частица to, однако частица to перед инфинитивом в некоторых случаях опускается.
E.g. We must learn how to findcriminal as quickly as possible.
Инфинитив в предложении может быть:
1. Подлежащим:
To detectthe criminal is very often not an easy task.
(Разыскать преступника – это очень нелегкая задача).
2. Составной частью сказуемого:
The main duty of militia officers is to fight crime.
(Главная обязанность сотрудника милиции – это бороться с преступностью).
3. Дополнением:
At our university we are also taught to find evidence.
(В университете нас также учат находить улики).
4. Определением:
He had no intention to commita criminal act.
(У него не было намерения совершитьпреступное деяние).
5. Обстоятельством цели:
I entered the Krasnodar University of the MIA (in order) to become a good lawyer.
(Я поступил в Краснодарский университет МВД,чтобы стать хорошим юристом).
Инфинитив имеет формы залога (Active, Passive), а также формы времени (Indefinite, Continuous, Perfect):
  Active Passive |
| Indefinite to study - to be studied изучать (вообще) быть изучаемым (вообще) Continuous to be studying ______ изучать (в данный момент) Perfect to have studied to have been studied изучить быть изученным |
Наиболее распространенными являются формы Indefinite Infinitive Active и Passive. Остальные формы инфинитива встречаются значительно реже.
Exercise 1. Read and translate the sentences into Russian, underline the infinitives:
1. His duty is to make sure that the place of work is safe.
2. He could not refuse to fulfill demands of court.
3. He has just finished to read the sentence.
4. Please telephone him to send this message.
5. I would like to see this witness again.
6. This is the place to see.
7. To elect and to be elected is the right of every citizen.
Exercise 2. Match a line in A with a verb in B and a line in C.
| A | B | C |
| 1. I went for a walk | to make | the house smell nice |
| 2. I’m going to the library | to buy | a new car |
| 3. I went to town | to get | some friends |
| 4. I phoned the theatre | to change | my books |
| 5. I want to borrow some money | to visit | how to get to my house |
| 6.I bought some flowers | to do | some fresh air |
| 7. I’m going to Paris | to ask | some shopping |
| 8. I wrote to John | to explain | what time the play started |
Passive Infinitive в функции определения.
Пассивный инфинитив, стоящий после существительного, обычно переводится придаточным предложением с оттенком модальности, в котором действие, выраженное инфинитивом, совершается над лицом или предметом, к которому оно относится.
E.g. The case to be investigated by this young officer is rather difficult.
(Дело, которое должно быть расследовано этим молодым следователем, довольно трудное).
Exercise 3. Translate the sentences:
1. The evidence to be found at a crime scene is very important for the investigation.
2. The report to be written by the investigator must include all the facts collected during the investigation.
3. The crime to be investigated by Scotland Yard occurred on the Thames.
4. The criminal case to be tried by our district court next week is much spoken of in our city.
5. Justice in this country to be administered equally by judges often depends on the sum of money a person has.
6. He spoke of the problems to be settled in the nearest future.
7. The article to be discussed by the students is about the American Constitution.
Конструкция for + Infinitive
1. It is necessary for him to consult a doctor.
Ему необходимо посоветоваться с врачом.
2. There is no need for her to worry.
Ей нет необходимости беспокоиться.
3. Here is a job for you to do.
Вот работа, которую вам необходимо сделать.
Exercise 4. Translate into Russian paying attention to the construction ‘’for + Infinitive’’:
1. It is necessary for us to come in time.
2. It is very important for the students to have a good practice in English.
3. Is it difficult for you to answer this question?
4. It was not easy for the scientists to prove their theory.
5. It is only nine o’clock. There is no need for you to hurry.
6. Here is a book for him to read during his trip.
7. There is no hope for me to meet him soon.