Part III
The Infinitive
The infinitive developed from the verbal noun, which in course of time became verbalized, retaining at the same time some of its nominal properties. Thus in Modern English the infinitive, like the participle and the gerund, has a double nature, nominal and verbal. In Modern English the infinitive has the following forms:
Forms of the Infinitive
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Active
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Passive
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Indefinite
Continuous
Perfect
Perfect Continuous
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To write
To be writing
To have written
To have been writing
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To be written
---
to have been written
---
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Note: In sentences with the construction there is the infinitive of some verbs can be active or passive without any change in the meaning:
There is no time to lose.
there is no time to be lost
Exercise 1. Insert the appropriate form of the infinitive.
1. Every feature seemed ___ since he saw her last. (to sharpen) 2. There is no time ___ . (to lose) 3. Dave seemed ___ Stephanie, waiting for her to make the first move. (to watch) 4. The idea was too complicated ___ in just one phrase. (to express) 5. It seemed ___ ever since we came here. (to rain) 6. He is supposed ___ at the translation of the book for two years. (to work) 7. We intended ___ by the end of the month. (to return) 8. I see by your eagerness, my friend, that you expect ___ of the secret with which I am acquainted. (to inform) 9.For this prospect __ , the national programme should be directed towards tariff reduction. (to realize) 10. He wants the debt ___ . (to pay) 11.How fortunate he is ___ all over the world and ___ so much of it. (to travel, to see) 12. You seem ___ for trouble. (to look) 13. The man seemed ___ me and I felt uneasy in his presence. (to study) 14. The third key remained ___ . (to test)
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