The infinitive as adverbial modifier

The infinitive can be used as an adverbial modifier of: purpose, subsequent events, consequence, attendant circumstances, comparison, condition, exception, time, motivation. In all these functions but that of the adverbial modifier of exception, the infinitive is used with the particle to.

1. The adverbial modifierofpurpose. In this function the action denoted by the infinitive is always a hypothetical action following the action denoted by the predicate

I think I will go to England to improve my English. We stood in the rain and were taken out one at a time to be questioned and shot.

The position of the infinitive used as an adverbial modifier of purpose varies. It usually stands after the predicate, though the position at the beginning of the sentence is also possible;

To occupy her mind, however, she took the job given her.

In both positions the infinitive may be preceded by the conjunction in order:

I keep a diary in order to enter the wonderful secrets of my life.

In order to see her better he had to turn his head.

The infinitive of purpose may also be introduced by the conjunctions so as, as if, as though, and the preposition except, in which case it acquires the additional meanings of manner (so as), comparison (as if, as though) and exception (except):

He turned away so as to conceal his tears.

Sherbent down as if to look at the flowers.

He stretched out his hand as though to shield his face.

In weeks of fog I would curl up in a corner of the cabin and read, hardly lifting my eyes except to eat.

Lastly, the infinitive of purpose may be modified by limiting particles:

I'm here just to see you off.

He came down only to say good-night to you.

2. The adverbial modifierof subsequent events. In this function the infinitive denotes an action that actually takes place after the action denoted by the predicate.

The position of this adverbial in the sentence is fixed-it always follows the predicate

He arrived at three o'clock to hear that Fleur had gone out with the car at ten. (He arrived and heard...)

I came down one morning, to find Papa excited to the point of apoplexy. (I came down and found...)

In this function the infinitive may be preceded by the particles only, merely, simply, which change the meaning of the whole sentence: the action denoted by the infinitive preceded by these particles makes the action denoted by the predicate pointless or irrelevant.

She returned to London in a few days, only to learn mat Bess had gone to the continent. (She returned..., but learnt...)

The men had tried a rush simply to be swept out of existence, (had tried a rush, but were swept...)

3. As an adverbial modifier of consequence (result)the infinitive depends on adjectives and adverbs modified by too, adjectives, adverbs and nouns modified by enough, adjectives modified by so, and nouns modified by such. In the last two cases the infinitive is introduced bv as-

a) He was too tired to argue.

The story was too interesting to be passed over lightly.

He had gone too far to draw back.

b) He's old enough to learn this.

I thought I liked Letty well enough to marry her.

He was fool enough to enjoy the game.

c) He had seen enough blasted, burned out tanks to have no illusions.

d) Just the pressure of his hand was enough to upset her.

e) She was so kind as to accept my proposal.

f) Do you think I am such a fool as to let it out of my hands?

4. The infinitive used as an adverbial modifierof attendant circumstances shows what other actions take place at the same time as the action of the predicate.

He did not wake, but her voice floated out, to swell the night's uneasiness, (her voice floated out, swelling the night's uneasiness)

The fog oozed in ungenially to smear sooty fingers over the two elegant young people who sat inside, (the fog oozed in ..., smearing sooty finger's...)

5. The infinitive used as an adverbial modifier ofcomparisonrefers to predicate groups including adjectives or adverbs in the comparative degree. The infinitive itself is introduced by than:

To give is more blessed than to receive.

Soon she realized, that it was much more pleasant to give than to be given.

Note: Although the infinitive of comparison is generally used with to, it may also occur without it:

I was more inclined to see her safely married than go on watching over her.

6. The infinitive used as an adverbial modifier ofcondition denotes an action the realization of which pre-conditions the realization of the action of the predicate.

To look at Montmorency you would imagine that he was an angel sent upon earth... (If you looked..., you would imagine...)

To touch it one would believe that it was the best of furs. (If one touched it, one would believe...)

I'll thank- you to take your hands off me. (I'll thank you, if you take…)

7. The infinitive used as an adverbial modifierofexception denotes the action which is the only possible one in the, situation. The infinitive is generally used without toand is introduced by the prepositions butand except. It is found in negative and interrogative sentences:

I had nothing to do but wait.

What could I do but submit?

There is nothing to do except turn back.

8. The infinitive used as an adverbial modifier oftime denotes an action which marks out the moment of time up to which or at which the action of the predicate is performed:

His father lived to be ninety. (lived till he was...)

I may not live to reach the airstrip this afternoon. (may not livetill I reach...)

He means well; but you shrug your shoulders to hear him talk? (you shrug... when you hear...)

Go away! I shudder to see you here. (I shudder when I see...)

9. The infinitive used as an adverbial modifier ofmotivationrefers to a compound nominal predicate with the predicative expressed by an adjective, a noun or a prepositional phrase denoting some kind of assessment of someone's intellectual faculties, morals or other qualities.

The infinitive denotes an action which serves as a motivation on which this or that ssessment is based. The assessment itself is a temporary one:

What an idiot I was not to have thought of it before! (I had not thought of it before, therefore I can justly be called an idiot.)
She had been silly to come here. (She came here, and it was silly of her.)

They're out of their mind to have sent you here! (They have sent you here, so one can think them out of their mind.)

N.B!Of all the adverbials described above, only adverbial modifiers of purpose and consequence are widely used in both formal and informal style. The adverbials of subsequent events, attending circumstances, comparison and exception are confined to formal style; those of motivation, time and condition are characteristic of colloquial style.

COMMENTARY

He came to my place to see me.

“to see” is an adverbial modifier of purpose expressed by the indefinite infinitive active.

He came to my place in order to see me.

“to see” is an adverbial modifier of purpose expressed by the indefinite infinitive active. The infinitive is introduces by the conjunction “in order”.

To tell the truth, it’s easy.

“to tell the truth” is a parenthesis.

COMPREHENCION

Define the type of the adverbial modifier:

1. I did my best to stop her.

2. Our teacher is too hard to please.

3. She raised her hand as if to arrange her hair.

4. To be there in time, you have to get up very early.

5. She is cleaver enough to understand this rule.

6. He was so polite as to invite us to the party.

7. I decided to take a taxi in order not to miss my train.

8. He awoke one morning to find himself famous.