The Functions of the Infinitive
Ex. 1. Translate the following sentences paying attention to the function of the Infinitive as:
I. Subject.
Models.a) ‘To’ + Infinitive before the predicate (It’s formal)
To make mistakes is easy. Совершать ошибки легко.
b) It + the Infinitive clause (‘It’ is a preparatory subject).
It’s easy to make mistakes. Легко совершать ошибки.
1. To solve the equation is to find the numerical values of the unknowns. 2. It’s not difficult to define which of the numbers is less. 3. To evaluate an expression means to substitute the numerical equivalents for the letters. 4. To find the logarithm of the given number means to find its exponent. 5. To prove a theorem in a deductive system is to show that it is a necessary logical consequence of some previous proposition. 6. It’s necessary to determine this distance for further research. 7. It’s difficult to refuse his invitation. 8. It’s nice to be sitting here with you.
II. Object.
Model. You have the right to remain silent.
У вас есть право хранить молчание.
1. They expected to be given complete information. 2. This force caused the body to move. 3. The use of algebra in geometry permits one to speak of a space of more than three dimensions. 4. We were asked to solve the equation in three variables. 5. The students wanted to investigate the properties of square matrices. 6. The word “smooth” is used to suggest that the motion of a point has no abrupt changes of direction. 7. The teacher told me to speak loudly in order that everyone could hear me. 8. She wants to visit a lot of exciting places in Europe.
III. Adverbial modifier of purpose or result.
Models.a) He went to the florist to buy a bouquet of flowers.
Он пошел в цветочный магазин купить букет цветов.
(adverbial modifier of purpose).
b) I woke one morning to find myself famous.
Однажды утром я проснулся и обнаружил, что я знаменит.
(adverbial modifier of result).
с) after too + adjective (слишком…, чтобы)
after adjective /adverb + enough (достаточно…, чтобы)
He is too tired to answer my questions.
Он слишком уставший, чтобы отвечать на мои вопросы.
The text is difficult enough to understand it at once.
Текст достаточно сложный, чтобы понять его сразу же.
1. To understand some formulas, she used the text-book of mathematics. 2. To raise a power to a power, it is sufficient to multiply their exponents. 3. To simplify an expression in two unknowns, one transforms it in the same way as an equation in one unknown. 4. To keep the number unchanged in value, we must multiply it by the same power of ten. 5. He checked the results of the experiment only to find it didn’t agree with the expected one. 6. He looked around to see them coming up. 7. She went to see her old friend only to find out he was away. 8. She is clever enough to win the competition. 9. He is too young to stay out so late.
IV. Predicative or Part of Predicate.
Models.a) His course paper is to be submitted in May. Его курсовая работа
должна быть представлена на рассмотрение в мае.
b) Her dream is to become a good programmer.
Ее мечта – стать хорошим программистом.
(The Infinitive follows the subject expressed by the words: task,
method, plan, problem, aim, purpose and function).
c) part of a modal predicate
He must have studied several proofs of this theorem.
Он, вероятно, изучил несколько доказательств этой теоремы.
1. Fortunately, people can visualize or picture two- or three-dimensional ideas by means of drawing on paper. 2. They should have used some graphs. 3. They might have permitted them to reason from visual pictures. 4. A more general treatment of the whole subject is to be found in the monograph. 5. Our aim is to master this subject. 6. We are to use a similar device in triple integrals. 7. They had to change the date of the conference. 8. Their intention was to win the first prize in the competition.
V. Attribute (in post- position)
Models.a) after abstract nouns and concrete nouns.
There is every reason to believe it. Есть все основания поверить этому. I want some paper to write on. Мне нужна бумага для письма.
b) after pronouns.
I have nothing to tell you. Мне нечего тебе сказать.
c) after adjectives.
I’m sorry to leave you. Мне жаль уходить от вас. I was glad to meet him. Я был рад познакомиться с ним.
d) after the last, the first, the only
She was the last to leave the room. Она последней вышла из комнаты.
1. The terms to be insisted on are as follows. 2. The first issue to be considered is one about the coming examinations. 3. All operations to be performed in succession will give the expected result. 4. This student was the first to prove this law. 5. There will be six independent elements to be determined. 6. The proof to be tested concerns the conditions of function series convergence.
Ex. 2. Read the sentences and state the form and the function of the Infinitive. Translate into Russian.
1. Einstein was to develop the theory of relativity which replaced Newton’s theories of gravity. 2. It’s important to save your work before you switch off the computer. 3. Students are under enormous pressure to learn huge amounts of vocabulary. 4. It’s easy to be wise after the event, as the saying goes. 5. We assembled to discuss and arrange our plans. 6. He was the first to claim to have solved the problem. 7. I’m glad to have finished the translation of this article. 8. The plane to be constructed should contain two intersecting lines. 9. We need to introduce a function in order to solve the equation. 10. They must be determining now whether a given equation is or is not solvable algebraically. 11. Jacobi was the first to apply elliptic functions to the theory of numbers. 12. To create one of the great masterpieces of all mathematics Lobachevsky had to have been working for twenty years or even more.
Ex. 3. Open the parentheses and give the correct form of the Infinitive.
1. The methods (to describe) above are widely used. 2. In order (to find) the square of a number you are to multiply it by itself. 3. Had Gauss found Clerk Maxwell’s equations of the electromagnetic field, he might (to be satisfied). 4. Differential geometry may roughly (to consider) as the study of properties of curves, surfaces, and their generalizations by means of the calculus. 5. He was happy (to work) weeks or even months over his research and (to obtain) expected results. 6. Likewise on the surface of a sphere the coordinates in this case can (to think) as latitude and longitude. 7. The scientist had to show his mathematical genius (to make) discoveries in astronomy surpassing those of all his predecessors. 8. To show the way in which common logarithms are used to facilitate calculation attempts should (to make). 9. He pretended (to look) for necessary information via the internet.
Ex. 4. Change the verb in parentheses to a to-infinitive or-ing-form as appropriate.
1. Using algebra I like (reduce) complex problems to simple formulas, but I dislike (spend) too much time on such work. 2. We were meant (give) the definition of a curve but that would have meant (consider) two fundamental problems of analytic geometry. 3. As you’re so keen on (get) to know more about education in Oxford University, you’ll probably be keen (visit) it. 4. I regret (inform) you that you have not been enrolled for this course. 5. Fortunately I remembered (hand) in the abstract by the end of the week, but to be honest I don’t remember (do) so. 6. She stopped (make) a speech about outstanding mathematicians and he decided (ask) her some questions. 7. To stop (think) about things for a while is something we all need to do. 8. Have you ever considered (study) mathematical analysis; it is considered (be) one of the most difficult subjects of mathematics.
Ex. 5. Choose the correct form of the Infinitive or the Gerund.
1. I’ll never forget … four more or less happy years in Cambridge.
a) to have spent; b) having spent
c) spending d) to spend
2. Only to enumerate all the fields of mathematics he enriched would take more space in the book than can … to one man.
a) have been devoted b) to be devoted
c) to devote d) be devoted
3. This time next week I’ll … to the lecture on the applications of the calculus to curved surfaces (twisted curves).
a) be listening b) being listened
c) listen d) have listened
4. Some of the mathematicians in the 19th century, notably Leibniz and De Morgan, went on … of adding logic itself to the domain of algebra.
a) to be dreaming b) to dream
c) being dreamt d) dreaming
5. I’m sorry … the problem of determining the equation of a locus.
a) have not studied b) not studying
c) not to have studied d) being not studied
6. Teachers do not allow … and … in the exams
a) to speak / cheat b) to be spoken to / be cheated
c) speaking / cheating d) speaking / to cheat
7. The accuracy of the root needs … . Why not … the number to the power?
a) being checked /raising b) be checked /be raised
c) to be checked /raise d) checking /to raise
8. The theory of analytic functions of a complex variable … one of the greatest fields of mathematical triumphs in the nineteenth century.
a) should have been b) were to have been
c) must have been d) might have been
Ex. 6. Fill each of the gaps with a suitable word from the list. Entitle the story. Mind there is an extra word.
| to pocket, to be done, to be shown, to meet, say, did not discourage, taking, to offer, liking, to understand, doing, take, to create, have been, go, to get, do, explaining, getting. |
Even the new dignity of his rectorship (1) … Lobachevsky from (2) … the work in the library and museum. ‘In order (3) … a thing done to your (4) … , you must (5) … it yourself’ , he used to say. Sometimes he would (6) … off his collar and coat and (7) … to work. Once a distinguished foreign visitor, (8) … the coatless Rector for a workman, asked (9) … through the libraries and museum collections. Lobachevsky showed him the chosen treasures, (10) … as he exhibited. The visitor was greatly impressed and charmed by the superior intelligence of that Russian workman and decided (11) … a handsome tip. Lobachevsky couldn’t help (12) … angry and indignantly threw the coin to the floor. Though the visitor was a bit bewildered he had (13) … his money and (14) … good-bye. On his way home he was thinking about the workman and was not able (15) …him. “It might (16) … one more strangeness of his behavior”, he thought.
That evening the visitor had a chance (17) … Lobachevsky again at the Governor’s table, where apologies were offered and accepted on both sides.
It seems incredible that Lobachevsky so burdened with teaching and administration had managed (18) … one of the great masterpieces of our mathematics.
Ex 7. Translate the sentences into English:
1. Этот метод не достаточно точный, чтобы дать хороший результат.
2. Он даже не попытался найти общее решение для этой системы уравнений.
3. Цель науки - найти допущения, логическая последовательность которых соответствует опыту.
4. Необходимо точно определить, что подразумевается под словом множество.
5. Он единственный, кто ответил на этот сложный вопрос.
6. Полученные данные могут рассматриваться только как приближенные.
7. Чтобы понять эту процедуру, рассмотрим аналогичную ситуацию.
8. Он предпочитает читать книги в оригинале.
9. Трудно ли сдавать экзамен по математическому анализу?
10.Должно быть, их пригласили на конференцию.
Pre-Reading Activity.