Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
FACULTATEA DE LITERE
SPECIALIZAREA: ROMANA / ENGLEZA
INVATAMANT LA DISTANTA
PROGRAMA ANALITICA
Disciplina: Limba englez. Curs practic: Exerciii gramaticale
Specializarea: Romn- Englez
Anul I, Semestrul II
Coordonatorul disciplinei: asist. univ. drd. Iulia Ciurezu
I.
OBIECTIVELE DISCIPLINEI:
Cursul practic i propune:
aprofundarea, sistematizarea i lrgirea cunotinelor teoretice despre morfologia si sintaxa structurilor
complexe cu infinitivul si alte forme verbale echivalente in engleza si romana
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
TEMATICA CURSURILOR
THE FORMS OF THE INFINITIVE IN ENGLISH
1.1. Active&Passive Continuous Aspect forms
1.2. Negation of the Infinitive
1.3. Position of auxiliary adverbs in the infinitive clause
1.4. Unsplit and Split Infinitive
INFINITIVE SUBJECT CLAUSES
2.1. TO- subject infinitive clauses
2.1. FOR-TO Constructions
INFINITIVE OBJECT CLAUSES
3.1. Triggering verbs
3.2. Infinitive clauses, That clauses and gerund clauses
3.4. The Position of auxiliary adverbs in the infinitive clause
3.5. Active and passive forms
INFINITIVES after PREPOSITIONAL VERBS AND ADJECTIVES (OBLIQUE OBJECTS)
4.1. Infinitive after prepositional verbs and adjectives
4.2. The infinitive as oblique object of transitive verbs
4.3. Passivization
4.4 Adjectives that allow two alternative infinitive constructions
THE FOR-TO CONSTRUCTION AS OBJECT
5.1. FOR-TO Constructions
5.2. Triggering contexts
5.3. Exercitive verbs
THE IMPLICIT INFINITIVE
6.1. Implicit infinitive
6.2. Deletion rules
6.3. Tough movement
6.4. Adjectives and nouns that allow tough movement
The bare infinitive is used as the main verb after the dummy auxiliary verb do, or most
modal auxiliary verbs (such as will, can, or should). So, "I will/do/can/etc. see it."
Several common verbs of perception, including see, watch, hear, feel, and sense take a
direct object and a bare infinitive, where the bare infinitive indicates an action taken
by the main verb's direct object. So, "I saw/watched/heard/etc. it happen." (A similar
meaning can be effected by using the present participle instead: "I
saw/watched/heard/etc. it happening." The difference is that the former implies that
the entirety of the event was perceived, while the latter implies that part of the
progress of the event was perceived.)
4
Similarly with several common verbs of permission or causation, including make, bid,
let, and have. So, "I made/bade/let/had him do it." (However, make takes a toinfinitive in the passive voice: "I was made to do it.")
With the word why. So, "Why reveal it?"
The bare infinitive is the dictionary form of a verb, and is generally the form of a verb
that receives a definition; however, the definition itself generally uses a to-infinitive.
So, "The word 'amble' means 'to walk slowly.'"
The bare infinitive form is also the present subjunctive form and the imperative form,
although most grammarians do not consider uses of the present subjunctive or
imperative to be uses of the bare infinitive.
Outside of dictionary headwords, it is the most commonly used citation form of the
English verb: "How do we conjugate the verb to go?"
It can be used like a noun phrase, expressing its action or state in an abstract, general
way. So, "To err is human"; "To know me is to love me". (However, a gerund is
often preferred for this "Being is doing" would be more natural than the abstract
and philosophical sounding "To be is to do.")
It can be used like an adjective or adverb, expressing purpose or intent. So, "The letter
says I'm to wait outside", or "He is the man to talk to", or "[In order] to meditate,
one must free one's mind."
In either of the above uses, it can often be given a subject using the preposition for:
"For him to fail now would be a great disappointment"; "[In order] for you to get
there on time, you'll need to leave now." (The former sentence could also be written,
"His failing now would be a great disappointment.")
It can be used after many intransitive verbs; in this case, it generally has the subject of
the main verb as its implicit subject. So, "I agreed to leave", or "He failed to make his
case." (This may be considered a special case of the noun-like use above.) With some
verbs the infinitive may carry a significantly different meaning from a gerund:
compare I stopped to talk to her with I stopped talking to her, or I forgot to buy the
bread with I forgot buying the bread.
It can be used after the direct objects of many transitive verbs; in this case, it generally
has the direct object of the main verb as its implicit subject. So, "I convinced him to
leave with me", or "He asked her to make his case on his behalf." However, in some
cases, the subject of the main clause is also subject of the infinitival clause, as in "John
promises Mary to cook", where the cook is John (the subject of the main sentence),
and not Mary (the object).
As a special case of the above, it can often be used after an intransitive verb, together
with a subject using the preposition for: "I arranged for him to accompany me", or "I
waited for summer to arrive."
When the verb is implied, some dialects will reduce the to-infinitive to simply to: "Do I have
to?"
to ask
to be asking
l. bear; 2. beat; 3. bite; 4. blow; 5. burst; 6. catch; 7. choose; 8. creep; 9. deal; 10. feed: 11.fly;
12.forbid; 13.grow; 14.hang; 15.hide; 16. hit; 17. hold; 18.hurt; 19. kneel; 20. lay; 21. play;
22. gain; 23. try; 24. heat; 25. increase.
2. Give the Passive Continuous Aspect form of the following infinitives:
Model:
to ask
to be being asked
1. air; 2. build; 3. chain; 4. decorate; 5. entertain; 6. fake; 7. garnish; 8. hand; 9. hang; 10.
help; 11. house; 12. indulge; 13. inhale; 14. join; 15. lash; 16. lead; 17. look at; 18. make; 19.
match; 20. note; 21. observe; 22. paint; 23. paper; 24. slough; 25. type.
3. Give the Passive form of the following infinitives:
Model:
to ask
to be asked
1. act; 2. beg; 3. believe; 4. call; 5. choose; 6. dab;7. fill; 8. kick; 9. lead; 10. leave; 11. lend;
12. mow; 13. seek; 14. select; 15. sew; 16. shake; 17. shoot; 18. shut; 19. sink; 20. slap, 21.
sow; 22. spell; 23. spill; 24. spread; 25. steal.
4. Give the Active Perfect form of the following infinitives:
Model:
to ask
to have asked
1. answer; 2. bargain; 3. calm; 4. darken; 5. fast; 6. feel; 7. forget; 8. forgive; 9. stick
10. stride; 11. strike; 12. strive; 13. swear; 14. sweep; 15. swim; 16. take; 17. teach; 18. tell
19. think; 20. throw; 21. wake; 22. wear; 23. weave; 24. win; 25. wind.
5. Give the Active Perfect Continuous Aspect form of the following infinitives:
Model:
to ask
to have been asking
1. abuse; 2. bar; 3. beseech; 4. bet; 5. bid; 6. bleed; 7. breed; 8. camp; 9. cast; 10. cleave 11.
cling; 12. dash; 13. drive; 14. dwell; 15. face; 16. flee; 17. forsake; 18. hew; 19. knit 20. lade;
21. lean; 22. leap; 23. lend; 24. light; 25. quit.
6. Give the Passive Perfect form of the following infinitives:
Model: to ask
to have been asked
I. accept; 2. admit; 3. ban; 4. darn; 5. faint; 6. knit; 7. ride; 8. saw; 9. shear; 10. sweep; 11.
shoot; 12. shred; 13. slay; 14. smite; 15. spill; 16. spin; 17. sting; 18. strew; 19. strike; 20.
string; 21. swell; 22. tear; 23. throw; 24. thrust; 25. wring.
10
An infinitive subject clause normally appears in a post verbal extraposed position (at the
right end of the sentence). The preverbal subject position is held by the meaningless pronoun
IT (the so - called introductory-anticipatory IT). Its role is to introduce and announce the
subject clause. For example:
It is essential for them to seize this opportunity.
It would be a good idea to run him as a candidate.
Preverbal subject clauses are infrequent. For example:
For them to seize this opportunity is important.
To run Mr. Brown as a candidate was a natural suggestion.
Exercises:
1. Complete the following sentences using the appropriate (negative or affirmative) of one
of the following verbs: answer, burn, cover, do, help, lock, plant, prepare, take, waste.
1. It's impossible............................. all these questions.
2. It's essential................................ this distance in an hour.
3. It's necessary............................... one's assignments regularly.
4. It's not advisable.......................... the steaks and sausages.
5. It's customary.............................. the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve.
6. It's safe....................................... the door before you leave home.
7. It's immoral................................ old people in need.
8. It's wrong.................................... these trees in early autumn.
9. It would be foolish...................... advantage of this opportunity.
10. It's typical of him......................... money on the pools.
2. Insert the words in brackets in the appropriate form, interpreting the nominal phrase as
the subject, and the verb phrase as the predicate of a FOR-TO infinitive construction.
Model:
It is typical (Arthur, be impolite to his father)
It is typical for Arthur to be impolite to his father.
1. It is vital (he, get a grant for his studies).
2. It is possible (anyone, learn good English).
3. It is usual (John, go jogging to lose weight).
4. It is customary (Mary, go to bed late).
5. It is unusual (mother, go to the hairdresser's).
6. It's forbidden (tourists, bring pets on board).
7. It's compulsory (pedestrians, cross the street on the zebra).
8. It's imperative (our team, win the Cup final).
9. It's important (any schoolchild, get up early in the morning).
10. It would be pleasant (my sister, find a good job soon).
3. Rephrase the following sentences moving the infinitive clause to the end of the sentence
and inserting the pronoun IT in its place. Work in pairs.
Model:
A: To hesitate would have been fatal.
B: Yes, I know. It would have been fatal to hesitate.
1.
A: To obey the laws is everyone's duty.
B: Of course,..................................................
2. A: To save money now seems practically impossible.
11
12
6. A: Only a second Higgins could teach you English in such a short time.
B:..........................................................
(call for)
7. A: Only a Mercedes could cover this distance in such a short while.
B:..........................................................
(necessitate)
8. A: Only a very good surgeon could operate on him.
B:...........................................................
(call for)
9. A: Only a very good student could turn this text into English.
B:...........................................................
(take)
6. Read and study the explanations above. Then answer the following questions using a
TO-infinitive clause or a FOR-TO infinitive clause, to replace the IF-clause. Work in
pairs.
Model:
'Would it please you if you won this competition?
'Yes, it would please me to win this competition.'
'Would it please you if he got this job ?'
'Yes, it would please me for him to get this job.'
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
13
17.
18.
B:..............................................................................
A: Would it sadden him if she didn't write him regular letters?
B:..............................................................................
A: Would it sadden him if he didn't get her daily phone calls any more?
B:................;................,............................................
TEST DE EVALUARE
Which sentence is closer in meaning to the sentence underlined ?
1. It would startle her to wake up and find them around her.
a. It would scare her if he woke up and found them around her.
b. It would startle her if she woke up and found them around her.
c. It would scare her if she woke up and found them around her.
d. It would startle her if he woke up and found them around her.
2. Would it please her for her husband not to he here?
a. Would it please her if she were not here?
b. Would it please her if her husband were not here?
c. Would her husband's not being here please her?
If you have failed, read the explanations in exercise 6 and do the exercise again!
7. Rephrase and reinforce the following statements using the FOR-TO construction:
Model:
A: Children should have a lot of fun during their holidays, (fair)
B: Certainly. It s fair for children to have a lot of fun during their holidays.
1. A: Prices should go down to prevent the collapse of the economy.
B: You are right..........................................................(necessary)
2. A: Mary should work harder if she means to succeed.
B: Obviously...............................................................(best)
3. A: Officers should wear ties at dinner.
B: Of course...............................................................(be the rule)
4. A: Political guests should be treated with due deference.
B: You are right.................................................(common)
5. A: Children should be taught to cross only on the zebra.
B: Of course..............................................................(important)
6. A: People should visit their parents at least once a week.
B: You are right..........................................................(customary)
7. A: A girl your age should not wear black.
B: Certainly...........................................................(inappropriate)
8. A: You should put up a good fight before yielding to him.
B: You are right.........................................................(natural)
9. A: Friends should always confide in each other.
B: Obviously...............................................................(expected)
10. A: You should get yourself another car as soon as possible.
B: Yes. I know......................................................(advisable)
14
!!! Notice that the FOR-TO construction is typically used with evaluative adjectives or
nouns {advisable, good, bad, right, wrong, important, essential, lovely, vital, urgent,
necessary, desirable, fair, etc., a pleasure, a paw in the neck, etc.). Some of these will be
illustrated in the next exercises. Since normative prescriptive judgment is at stake with
such adjectives, the FOR-TO construction is roughly equivalent to a subjunctive clause:
It is necessary for prices to go down to prevent the collapse of the economy. It is
necessary that prices should go down to prevent the collapse of the economy.
8. Rephrase and reinforce the following statements:
Model:
One should help the poor and the needy.
It's right to help the poor and the needy, (right)
1. One should always tell the truth, (desirable)
2. One should have a family reunion at Christmas, (customary)
3. One should always have a pet. (lovely)
4. One should have one's own apartment, (reasonable)
5. One shouldn't jump to conclusions, (not wise, unwise)
6. One should never ask such intimate questions, (rude)
7. One should protect the environment in this country, (vital)
8. To solve this case, one should carefully assess the evidence, (essential)
9. One should set aside a sum each week as fun money, (fine)
10. One should show kindness to the elderly, (fit and proper)
9. Paraphrase the following THAT clause by a suitable TO or FOR-TO construction.
Model: It would be lucky if he succeeded as he desired./
It would be lucky for him to succeed as he desired.
1. It is absolutely necessary that you should get information in time.
2. It is vital that he should reach her in time.
3. You may claim certain allowances for wear and tear of a car, which it has been necessary
that you provide at your own expense.
4. People are our most important resource and it is essential for the achievements of those
aims that we should pay the most careful attention to the selection of staff and to their training
and development.
5. It is right that we should get the bill and you may have to press them as they are sometimes
slow in getting it out.
6. It is unthinkable that our soldiers should fire upon their own people in support of an
arbitrary power.
7. After all, even in those days it was no uncommon thing that an earl's daughter should
marry a commoner.
8. It is imperative that the police should arrive at the scene of the crime as soon as possible.
9. It is customary that a man should greet first when he meets a woman.
10. It is heroic that one should lay down one's life for his country.
11. It is important to him that he should have been here tonight.
12. It would be embarrassing if he found her in that condition.
13. It was a great pleasure to me that I saw you here.
14. It is impossible that there should be a war between your country and mine.
15. It must have been a great comfort to them that they were able to pray for the dead.
15
16
3. E pacat sa vindem, dumneata esti tnar si nu stii ce greu e sa pui la loc lucrurile de care te
desparti.
4. Se infatisa o situatie exceptionala, cu primejdii exceptionale si iminente. A le pastra pentru
dnsul si a le ascunde ar fi fost cu neputinta.
5. Eu imi fac datoria sa te avertizez, draga mea, ca nu e prudent sa plece acuma la tara.
6. A merge pe urmele lui incai si a incerca sa-i pui n lumina destinul inseamna a cuprinde o
epoca istorica si o epoca de cultura.
7. A voi sa intemeiezi dezvoltarea statului pe alte baze dect cele ce le poseda din fire este a
pune in dezordine, in revolutic ntregul coip national, a-i paraliza si a-i rataci puterile.
8. Era greu a se inchipui ca un om ca el ar fi putut fi clintit din loc.
9. Imi face bine sa ma gindesc la cele mai reconfortante afirmatii ale acelui serial.
10. A scrie romanul complex al unei societati integrale, divizate prin stnictura si interese fara
a fi pe nesimtite cuprins de vreun spirit partizan este o virtute remarcabila.
11. Ideea de a transmite altora gndurile sale il stapini un timp.
12. - Natura nu are peste tot, zise el, echivalenta unei opere de arta si nu produce efecte
emotionale. E necesar a gasi punctele ei sublime.
13. - E important sa gasim o institute de stat care sa vrea sa participe la licitatie.
14. -Nu gasesti ca e neaparat nevoie sa-mi fac o cariera serioasa, de preferat in diplomatic,
postul actual fiind un expedient efemer ?
15. A trai nu e absolut necesar, a construi e necesar.
16. - A nu crede in miracol, decise erica ca intr-un ,,panseu", este a nu admite surpriza in
viata de toate zilele.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Bibliografie:
Cornilescu, Alexandra & Iclezan-Dimitriu, Ioan, The Infinitive, Editura Institutul
European, Iasi, 2000.
Cornilescu, Alexandra, Concepts of Modern Grammar. A Generative Grammar
perspective, EUB, 2006.
Cornilescu, Alexandra, Complementation in English. A Minimalist Approach, EUB,
2003.
Foley, Mark & Hall, Diane, Advanced Learners Grammar. A self-study reference &
practice book with answers, Longman, 2003.
Paidos, Constantin, English Grammar. Theory and Practice, vol I and II, Polirom,
2001.
Nastase, Roxana, Gramatica engleza. Verbul. Notiuni generale si exercitii. Cu
rezolvari, vol. II, Edit. Nastase, 2004.
Parlog, Hortensia, The English Infinitive- a Source of errors for the Romanian
Learners, in the volume The Sounds of Sounds, Editura Hestia, Timisoara, 1995.
17
18
If one wishes to express the fact that the event of the infinitive clause precedes that of the
main clause, the perfect infinitive is used:
I regret not to have gone to the theatre. I regret that I didn't go to the theatre.
1. Complete the following sentences choosing the appropriate verb:
buy, find, help, hide, invite, lock, repair, sing, tell, write,
1. Bob wants....................an English song.
2. I intend.........................a letter this evening.
3. We hope.......................tickets for the concert.
4. They meant..................the truth from us.
5. You failed....................the old lady.
6. Mother forgot..............father about the guests.
7. They managed.............the car.
8. Remember....................the door when you leave.
9. I can't afford...............this expensive car.
10. She hated.....................at his birthday party.
2. Replace the nominal direct object by an infinitive clause having, roughly, the same
meaning and containing a verbal phrase related to the nominal object. The infinitive may
be active or passive.
Model:
I started the work at five. / I started to work at five.
1. He continued his letter.
2. He ceased his visits to her after a while.
3. He claimed possession of the car.
4. She attempted an escape from the press.
5. He arranged an early retirement.
6. She ventured a guess.
7. He threatened suicide.
8. He demanded help.
9. He deserves respect.
10. He professed his innocence.
11. He proposed a visit to the British Museum.
12. He planned an evening at the opera.
19
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Bibliografie:
Cornilescu, Alexandra & Iclezan-Dimitriu, Ioan, The Infinitive, Editura Institutul
European, Iasi, 2000.
Cornilescu, Alexandra, Concepts of Modern Grammar. A Generative Grammar
perspective, EUB, 2006.
Cornilescu, Alexandra, Complementation in English. A Minimalist Approach, EUB,
2003.
Foley, Mark & Hall, Diane, Advanced Learners Grammar. A self-study reference &
practice book with answers, Longman, 2003.
Paidos, Constantin, English Grammar. Theory and Practice, vol I and II, Polirom,
2001.
Nastase, Roxana, Gramatica engleza. Verbul. Notiuni generale si exercitii. Cu
rezolvari, vol. II, Edit. Nastase, 2004.
Parlog, Hortensia, The English Infinitive- a Source of errors for the Romanian
Learners, in the volume The Sounds of Sounds, Editura Hestia, Timisoara, 1995.
21
The infinitive may also start out as an oblique object of prepositional verbs or adjectives. The
infinitive clause may be replaced by a prepositional object. When the infinitive is subjectless,
the main clause subject is also understood as the subject of the infinitive. Some of these verbs
and adjectives also allow a FOR-TO infinitive construction.
Verbs: apply (for), bother (about), care (for), consent (to), egg (on), insist (on), long (for),
persit (in), plead (for), pray (for), proceed (with), rejoice (at), shudder (at), strive (for)
Adjectives: able, angry, anxious, afraid, careful, certain, concerned, content, disinclined,
disposed, eager, fit, glad, important, inclined, pleased, prepared, prone, proud, relieved, ready,
solicitous, sorry, unable, welcome, willing
1. Replace the following infinitive clauses by a pronominal object, supplying the
appropriate preposition, as shown in the model. Translate the sentences into Romanian.
Model:
She consented to go. She consented to it.
1. I decided for Mr. Smith to represent our company.
2. I was surprised to find myself fired.
3. He would be pleased for you to ride over his lands at any time
4. Their coach was eager for them to succeed.
5. The organization could not wait for another nation to be overrun.
6. They were anxious not to seem to patronize her.
7. She had never been able to dream of affording a car.
8. We must be careful to see that the stone is tilting from the inside of the car outwards.
22
23
Verbs: admonish, advise, assist, authorize, bind, bribe, caution, challenge, compel,
commission, condemn, condition, conjure, convince, dare, decide, deign, direct, dispose,
drive, egg on, empower, encourage, engage, entitle, entreat, exit, exhort, force, give, goad,
help, impel, incite, induce, influence, inspire, instigate, instruct, invite, lead, leave, license,
lure, move, obligate, oblige, persuade, petition, predispose, prepare, press, provoke, prompt,
reduce, require, stimulate, summon, tempt, trouble, trust, urge, warn
3. Answer the following questions using the prompts given in brackets, as suggested in the
model. Work in pairs. Speaker B may supply the full infinitive construction or he may use a
substitute of the infinitive verb: to do so or to do it. Before solving the exercise, read the
explanation above:
Model:
A: 'Why did he go to the club on that evening?' (Mary, persuade)
B: 'Because Mary had persuaded him to go to the club on that evening.'
B': 'Because Mary had persuaded him to do so.'
B': 'Because Mary had persuaded him to do it.'
1. Why did he disclose that the job was poorly paid? (honesty, compel)
2. Why did the guard allow the prisoner to escape? (the prisoner's friends, bribe)
3. Why did he sell his land? (poverty, drive)
4. How could he write such wonderful poems? (his love for her, inspire)
5. Why did Elizabeth agree to cut off Mary's head? (her ministers, convince)
6. Why did he discontinue his experiments? (the results obtained by another psychologist,
prompt)
7. Why do they behave rudely in public places? (the violence they see on TV, stimulate)
8. Why did she give up her engagement? (her father, force)
9. Why did he start on his second voyage? (the experience of his first voyage, prompt)
10. Why did he accept the second job? (his ambition, egg on)
11. Why did she slam the door on us? (her anger, drive)
12. Why did he hesitate? (pure cowardice, lead)
13. Why did he complete his formal education? (his teacher, press)
14. Why did she accept this ill-suited husband? (her mother, induce)
15. Why did she lie to him? (his behaviour, oblige)
16. Why did he accept a second term of office? (the people's suffering, move)
24
a. commissioned
b. was commissioned by
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel.
2. The authorities did not license this shop
a. to sell tobacco.
b. to have sold tobacco.
c. that it should sell tobacco.
d. that it sold tobacco.
3. He
a. authorized
b. was authorized
5. Answer the questions following the model; turn the IF- clause into an infinitive
construction.
Model:
A: How would you feel if you were entertained by this famous movie star? (delight) B: I
would be delighted to be entertained by this famous movie star.
1. How would you feel if you won the New Year's Eve lottery? (elate)
2. How would you feel if you were elected chairman of the company? (gratify)
3. How would you feel if you had your car stolen? (enrage)
4. How would you feel if you caught him red-handed? (embarrass)
5. How would you feel if you were betrayed by your best friend? (discourage)
6. How would you feel if you lost your entire fortune at cards? (depress)
7. How would you feel if you were a famous lawyer? (bore)
8. How would you feel if you were living with your mother-in-law? (annoy)
9. How would you feel if you had to give her this terrible news? (pain)
10. How would you feel if you had to face the future on your own? (scare)
11. How would you feel if you were told the truth? (relieve)
6. Make a dialogue according to the model, using the following cue sentence:
Model:
I saw her blush, (embarrass)
A: It embarrassed me to see her blush.
26
B: Of course........................................................
2.
B: Yes, I know,.....................................................
3. A: It was sweet of them to accept our invitation.
B: Sure,................................................................
4.
B: Yes, I see.........................................................
5.
B: Obviously,.........................................................
6.
B: Yes, indeed,......................................................
27
8.
B: Certainly,...........................................................
9.
B: No doubt............................................................
10.
B: Obviously,.......................................................
8. Respond to the following statements, expressing your surprise. Work in pairs.
Model:
A: They didn't accept our invitation, (silly)
B: How silly of them not to accept our invitation!
1. A: They put their money in a savings bank right after the revolution.
B:...................................................................... (wise)
2. A: Bill called him a moron.
B:.....................................................................
(rude)
(civil)
4. A: Your deskmate said those things about you behind your back.
B:................................................................
(wicked)
(courageous)
(right)
(wrong)
(nice)
(considerate)
!!! Observation
28
Notice that there are adjectives which may qualify both a person and an action: bold, hard,
generous, considerate, sweet, decent, unkind, impolite, rude, silly, unwise, wicked, wrong, etc.
He is wise. / Doing it was wise.
Such adjectives allow two alternative infinitive constructions:
It is ADJECTIVE OF somebody TO do something: It is wise of him to cooperate with this
company.
Somebody is ADJECTIVE TO do something: He is wise to co-operate with this company.
Notice that the OF-constructions can be transformed into an exclamation: How wise (it is) of
him to co-operate with this company! / How nice of you to have invited me!
5. TEST DE EVALUARE
Choose the correct form.
1. I would be relieved
a. that you told me the truth.
b. I was told the truth.
c. to be told the truth.
d. for me to be told the truth.
2. It was silly of you
a. to buy such an expensive painting.
b. that you should buy such an expensive painting.
c. if you bought such an expensive painting.
3. How clever
a. to
Tom to answer her questions!
b. for
c. of
d. about
Bibliografie:
1. Cornilescu, Alexandra & Iclezan-Dimitriu, Ioan, The Infinitive, Editura Institutul
European, Iasi, 2000.
2. Cornilescu, Alexandra, Concepts of Modern Grammar. A Generative Grammar
perspective, EUB, 2006.
3. Cornilescu, Alexandra, Complementation in English. A Minimalist Approach, EUB,
2003.
4. Foley, Mark & Hall, Diane, Advanced Learners Grammar. A self-study reference &
practice book with answers, Longman, 2003.
5. Paidos, Constantin, English Grammar. Theory and Practice, vol I and II, Polirom,
2001.
6. Nastase, Roxana, Gramatica engleza. Verbul. Notiuni generale si exercitii. Cu
rezolvari, vol. II, Edit. Nastase, 2004.
7. Parlog, Hortensia, The English Infinitive- a Source of errors for the Romanian
Learners, in the volume The Sounds of Sounds, Editura Hestia, Timisoara, 1995.
29
30
31
16. They will go on a trip to Italy. Their parents are planning for it.
17. He will go to the Met twice next week. His father will provide for it.
18. You and my sister will get acquainted. I'm anxious about it.
19. The stove should be lit in the early morning. He has emphatically asked for it.
20. The murderer was to come to this place. Holmes was watching for it.
2. Study the sentences below and draw up a list of verbs that accept the FOR-TO
construction as an object. Replace the FOR-TO clause by a pronoun. Pay attention that in
certain cases the main verb is prepositional, while in others it is transitive.
Model:
He waited for Marlow to continue. He waited for it.
I'd love for you to become a pop star, I'd love it.
1. I'd hate for you to miss this opportunity,
2. He listened for her to continue to anticipate his thinking.
3. He waited for this darkness to be shattered by the light of the second coming.
4. Watch for Madam Cassin to leave.
5. He signalled for the door to open.
6. Lowell wanted very much for me to believe him.
7. I would prefer for him to be more practical.
8. Miss Broddie telephoned for Sandy to come to see her early in September.
9. The Virginia plan called for a national executive to be named by electors chosen by the
Congress.
10. Now he prayed for his luck to hold.
11. Emily's parents had begged for a trial period to elapse.
12. I expect for you to be there at three.
13. He asked for the warden to send him to the infirmary.
14. I would wish for his concert to be a triumph.
15. We want very much for him to get out of there alive and well.
3. Rephrase the following sentences according to the model. Before solving the exercise,
read the explanations below:
There are verbs that accept a normally personal indirect object (preposition-less or preceded
by TO) and a direct object expressed by an infinitive clause:
32
33
5. Answer the following questions using the prompts in brackets; then turn the answers
into the passive voice. Work in pairs.
Model:
A: What did the principal tell the English teacher?
B: The principal told the English teacher to give the students a difficult translation, (give the
students a difficult translation)
A: So, the English teacher was told (by the principal) to give the students a difficult
translation.
1.
B:............................................
A:............................................
2.
B:.........................................
A:............................................
4.
B:.....................
A:..................................................
5.
B:..........................
A:............................................
6.
B:..............................
A:...................................................
7.
B:...........................
A:..................................................
8.
A: What did the captain of the aircraft recommend the passengers to do?
B:..........................
A:..................................................
9.
B:............................
A:.................................................
10.
B:............................
A:..................................................
11.
B:............................
A:..................................................
12.
B:..........................
A:....:.............................................
13.
B:................................
A:..................................................
14.
B:.........................
A:..................................................
6. Transform the imperatives according to the model; work in pairs. Pay attention to the
preposition which introduces the indirect object.
As known, in indirect speech, imperatives are reported as infinitives. The implicit second
person subject of the imperative is turned into an indirect (or prepositional) object of the main
verb.
"Sit down, Mary!", she said. She told Mary to sit down.
"Tom, come in at once!", father shouted. Father shouted at Tom to come in at once.
Model:
A: 'Drop that cigar, Mary!' he called.
B: He called to Mary to drop that cigar.
1. 'Call the doctor, Linda!', Nick shouted.
2. 'Be patient with this dog, my friend!', he cried.
3. 'Wake up, Tom!', his father yelled.
4. 'Take the car back, Dick!', I called.
5. 'Get out of the way and get under cover, all of you!', she shouted.
35
37
20. De atunci i pn astzi nimeni nu s-a mai ncumentat a destupa pivniele acelea i a
scoate comorile aflate ntr-nsele.
21. Mi-ar fi fcut mult plcere s cunosc i cu operele prietenului nostru.
22. - Nu e voie s scoi capul pe fereastr, mititelule! zice unul dintre tineri lui D. Goe i-l
trage puin napoi.
23. Gsi c e mai nimerit s adopte un vechi obicei al familiei sale.
24. Dar, orict se strduir s-i descopere vreo boal prezent sau viitoare, declarar, totui, c
inginerul era pe deplin sntos.
25. i cerc s coboare ntre rani, i cere s intre n casele lor, s le cunoasc traiul, s se
mprieteneasc cu copiii lor, s-i nvee s citeasc i s le dea cri.
26. Ar fi vrut s-1 poat vedea pe George, ar fi fost mulumit s-l aud, s-i urmreasc
trsturile feei i, cnd privirile li se vor ntlni, s zmbeasc fericite.
27. Dar ceea ce voim s zicem este c, precum tragedia prin chiar natura ei a fost silit s-i
ia mai ales regii i eroii drept personaje principale, tot aa romanul este i va fi din ce n ce
silit s-i caute elementul su propriu n tipurile unei anumite clase sociale.
28. Un ran i ngdui chiar s-1 ntrebe despre asta cu gravitate.
29. Am s-1 rog pe domnul procuror s-i dea drumul imediat i s-1 cerceteze n
libertate.
30. Ii puse lui Pavel diferite ntrebri, l comptimi i porunci primarului s fac ndat o
anchet oficial, s nregistreze plngerea omului i justele lui pretenii.
31. Dar vrem noi cu adevrat s credem n Dumnezeu? Nu vrem cumva pur i
simplu s tim, adic s deinem o certitudine? Aa s-ar zice, de vreme ce vrem s ne
rezolvm frustrarea punnd ntrebri, ateptnd, aadar, rspunsuri edificatoare.
B.
1. Cnd unui client i convenea haina, nu pregeta s-o scoat de pe el i s-o ofere.
2. Sper s mai fiu ambasador. mi pstrez mnuile pentru atunci.
3. - ntr-adevr, recunoscu femeia. Ce ciudat! nu m-ateptam s ne rentlnim aici.
4. Remus Gavrilcea i ngdui a o invita pe Caty la o cavalcad, aceasta consimi
n principiu i ddu maiorului numrul su de telefon.
5. - i v simii bine?
- Nu pot s zic c da. Am visat i eu s am un cmin, o soie dulce, ns nu m-am
nvrednicit s-o fac.
6. Peste o sptmn, Meme fu n msur s afle n ce chip nelegea Gavrilcea
38
Bibliografie:
1. Cornilescu, Alexandra & Iclezan-Dimitriu, Ioan, The Infinitive, Editura Institutul
European, Iasi, 2000.
2. Cornilescu, Alexandra, Concepts of Modern Grammar. A Generative Grammar
perspective, EUB, 2006.
3. Cornilescu, Alexandra, Complementation in English. A Minimalist Approach, EUB,
2003.
4. Foley, Mark & Hall, Diane, Advanced Learners Grammar. A self-study reference &
practice book with answers, Longman, 2003.
5. Paidos, Constantin, English Grammar. Theory and Practice, vol I and II, Polirom,
2001.
6. Nastase, Roxana, Gramatica engleza. Verbul. Notiuni generale si exercitii. Cu
rezolvari, vol. II, Edit. Nastase, 2004.
7. Parlog, Hortensia, The English Infinitive- a Source of errors for the Romanian
Learners, in the volume The Sounds of Sounds, Editura Hestia, Timisoara, 1995.
39
40
6.
B:...............................................................
8.
B:............................................................
3. Work in pairs according to the model. The verb employed in the second sentence is
constructed with a prepositional object or indirect prepositional object and an infinitive
clause. Speaker B should complete his sentence taking care to supply the appropriate
preposition.
Model:
A: I hope he will somehow free her from prison.
B: In fact, I depend on him to somehow free her from prison.
1.
B: Well, I pleaded........................................................
2.
B: Well, I radioed........................................................
5.
B: Well, I wired...........................'..................................
6.
7.
B: Well, I waved.......,.................................................
8.
43
1. "E explicabil, a zis el, s-1 lsm s se renvee cu ideea c e liber..." . "Da, da ", ngnai eu,
gndind: statueta a nvat s mint." "Trebuie s-i fie foarte greu c nu mai poi preda la
Universitate !"
2. E o prostie mai mare i dect tine i dect ea s credei c a fi nelat-o nainte s m
prseasc nti ea pe mine.
3. Ar fi fost ntr-adevr greu de conceput...Dar cui i displace o reacie de supunere ?
4. Asta ar mai fi lipsit, s insultai dumneavoastr, fostul patron, pe muncitori...
5. Era suficient doar s gndesc acest lucru n prezena ei, ca s tresar cu putere i o suferin
acut, nsoit de panic, s i se atearn pe chip. (Marin Preda, Cel mai iubit dintre
pmnteni)
C.
1. Orict m-a strdui, mi-este cu neputin s-mi imaginez c odat verdictul pronunat, voi
putea adresa lumii un tandru adio nepstor.
2. Ajuns aici, Petric se opri. Ateptai ns zadarnic s continue.
3. Credeam c l strivisem pe Petric, dar el avu un surs spontan de superioritate, nu se grbi
s-mi rspund, atept ca Matilda s ne schimbe farfuriile.
4. Ar fi fost ns incorect ca Petric s-mi spun c de fapt el nu-i iubete soia i c regret
pasul fcut, ne despream civilizat, fr s fie nevoie s m lase singur de srbtori.
5. Le-am spus c mi-e greu fr Petric i c tremur de team s nu-l gsim ntr-o zi pe
lungile liste de mori sau disprui.
6. Aveam datorii fata de rude, care ma ajutasera in timpul studentiei si acum asteptau sa-i ajut
si eu pe ei, frindca le era sj lor greu...
7. Fara un cuvant o luai inainte, deschisei usa si ii facui loc sa treaca.
8. In acest sens, traditia ramine: nu poate sa vina un nechemat si sa decida el care poezie e
buna, care roman e prost, care e piesa de teatru revolutionara si care nu e.
(Marin Preda, Cel mat iubit dintrepaminteni)
6. Study the following idiomatic predicative phrases, which can appear with infinitive
subject clauses as shown in the examples, a. Translate the sentences, b. Use the idioms in
examples of your own.
be a daunting task to; be a shame; be a pity to ; be a cinch; be a breeze to ; be a bitch to; do
(no) harm to; do good; it belongs to the poet / critic / leader to; it demands truth to; it
44
behooves me to; it calls for NP to; it's a good thing / a very natural thing / a lot of trouble / a
nasty surprise / a good plan to; it is more sense / nothing to;
1. It would do no harm to politicians and to our bureaucrats to spend the day listening to the
young people's point of view.
2. It belongs to the poet to praise beauty.
3. It behooves you to work harder if you want to succeed here.
4. It calls for a political genius to set things right in this country.
5. It's a daunting task to face the old lady with her keen penetrating freezing eye.
6. It's nothing to translate such an easy text.
7. It's a natural thing to shake hands with someone you've just met.
8. It's a cinch to pass this exam.
9. It's a bitch to scrub the pots and pans.
10. It's a breeze to travel to Italy.
!!! A number of frequenly used adjectives {easy, tough, hard, impossible, difficult, simple,
dangerous, boring, entertaining, etc.) and nouns (a bitch, a breeze, a cinch, a pain in the ass,
a godsend, a pleasure), are found in the "tough movement" construction:
It is tough to park cars in Manhattan.
Cars are tough to park in Manhattan.
Roughly, we can describe the "tough movement" structure by saying that an object of the
infinitive clause, cars in our example, becomes the subject of the main clause. Any kind of
objects may be promoted as subject.
It is easy to talk to the boss. (indirect object)
The boss is easy to talk to.
It is impossible to buy presents for John.
John is impossible to buy presents for.
It is easy to get along with her.
She is easy to get along with.
7. Transform the sentences below as indicated. Work in pairs.
Model:
45
Bibliografie:
1. Cornilescu, Alexandra & Iclezan-Dimitriu, Ioan, The Infinitive, Editura Institutul
European, Iasi, 2000.
2. Cornilescu, Alexandra, Concepts of Modern Grammar. A Generative Grammar
perspective, EUB, 2006.
3. Cornilescu, Alexandra, Complementation in English. A Minimalist Approach, EUB,
2003.
4. Foley, Mark & Hall, Diane, Advanced Learners Grammar. A self-study reference &
practice book with answers, Longman, 2003.
5. Paidos, Constantin, English Grammar. Theory and Practice, vol I and II, Polirom,
2001.
6. Nastase, Roxana, Gramatica engleza. Verbul. Notiuni generale si exercitii. Cu
rezolvari, vol. II, Edit. Nastase, 2004.
7. Parlog, Hortensia, The English Infinitive- a Source of errors for the Romanian
Learners, in the volume The Sounds of Sounds, Editura Hestia, Timisoara, 1995.
47
2.
3.
4.
A: Did he approach the school across the lawn?/B: Yes, the headmistress watched..........
5.
A: Did she put out the cat before she went to bed?/B: Yes, I saw......................................
6.
7.
A: Can you really believe that he strangled the victim in the train compartment? B: Yes,
A: Did the people cheer when the movie-star entered?/B: Yes, I heard...........................
9.
A: Can you imagine she entered through the back door? B: Yes, the policeman
watched.....................................
10.
A: Did the porter take the luggage from the boot of the car? B: Yes, the front door
manager saw...........................
48
2. Answer the following questions, related to the sentences below. Make a short dialogue.
Before solving the exercise, read the explanations below. Use an Accusative + Infinitive
passive construction in the second answer, paralleling the active construction in the first
answer.
Model:
He ordered the guard to open the cell door.
A: Who(m) did he order to open the cell door?/B: He ordered the guard to open the cell door.
A: What did he order?/B: He ordered the cell door to be opened by the guard.
1. Moorage ordered the servants to pack his bags at once.
A: Who(m).................................................?/B:............................................................
A: What..........................,...........................?/B:............................................................
2. Napoleon ordered his generals to attack the city before dawn.
A: Who(m).................................................?/B:............................................................
A: What......................................................?/B:........................................................
3. He commanded the doctor to examine all the prisoners.
A: Who(m).................................................?/B:.............-...............................................
A: What.....................................................?/ B:............................................................
4. Jefferson forbade the infantry to sack the city.
A: Who(m).................................................?/ B:............................................................
A: What......................................................?/B:............................................................
5. He ordered the Inspector to arrest the lady.
A: Who(m)..................................................?/B:.........................................................
A: What.......................................................?/B:............................................................
3. Apply the passive in the infinitive clauses below.
Model:
The admiral forbade the Navy to attack Tripoli.
The admiral forbade Tripoli to be attacked by the Navy.
1. He commanded the chef to cook an early lunch for the guests.
2. Their boss had ordered them to stop that journalist's voice by all means.
3. The prison commander forbade the guards to ill-treat the prisoners.
4. The Pope forbade him to preach those fiery sermons.
5. He ordered the servant to remove the chair.
49
51
The Accusative is not semantically related to the main verb, although the main verb
assigns the Accusative case. For instance, I believe him to be honest does not imply I believe
him, likewise, I hate animals to be tortured does not imply I hate animals.
The Accusative + Infinitive construction differs from superficially similar examples
where a verb selects as arguments both an Accusative (often personal) and an Infinitive
clause; the latter may be replaced by a THAT- clause.
Compare:
I persuaded her to be more tolerant. /I persuaded her that she should be more tolerant. I
believed her to be more tolerant. /I believed that she was more tolerant.
Verbs of permission and command may also be used in the Accusative + Infinitive
construction. In this case, the Infinitive is often passive, the subject of the Infinitive cannot be
interpreted as the receiver of the permission or command: He ordered his bed to be made at
once. The translation of this example is: El a ordonat ca patul sau sa fie facut / sa i se faca
patul.
An important class of Accusative + Infinitive triggers is that of'verbs ofpropositional
attitude (mental perception): acknowledge, admit, assume, JIVOW, believe, claim, consider,
declare, deem, disclose, discover, estimate, feel, find, grant, guess, hold, imagine, judge,
know, presume, proclaim, prove, recognize, reckon, report, show, suspect.
TEST DE EVALUARE
Choose the correct infinitive form given in brackets:
1. I've never seen him (to paint, paint) a landscape.
2. Grandmother believes Tom (to be telling, tell) the truth.
3. They watched the man (to photograph, photograph) the harbour.
4. She noticed him (to dust, dust) the furniture.
5. We overheard them (to talk, talk) in the conference room.
6. They observed the man (to be known, be known) by everybody in the pub.
7. They ordered the pickpocket (to be taken, be taken) to the police station.
8. You considered his story (to be, be) true, didn't you?
9. He found grandmother (to be, be ) in very good shape, in spite of her age.
10.1 felt the little boy (to be suffering, be suffering) from pneumonia.
6. Work in pairs using causative MAKE.
Model: A: 'She blushed'. / B: What made her blush?'
52
6.
B: I hope that............................................................
10.
A: They made the young man burst the door open. B: How unfortunate
that..........................................
Remember that in the passive voice, in the Nominative + Infinitive construction, the verb
MAKE is followed by a TO-infmitive.
8. Construct dialogues using the causative HAVE + ACC + INF construction.
Model:
A: John won't sweep the floor. B: Don't worry. I'll have him sweep it tomorrow, (tomorrow)
The verb HAVE may be used in an Accusative + Infinitive structure with two different
interpretations. HAVE may mean CA USE as in the following example:
I'll have him learn these poems by heart. (Am sa-l pun sa invete poeziile pe de rost)
It may also mean EXPERIENCE, as in: I've never had anyone talk to me like that. (Nu mi s-a
intimplat niciodata sa-mi vorbeasca cineva asa).
In the two exercises that follow, the student is invited to familiarize himself with these
interpretations.
1. A: Jane refuses to sew the yellow dress now.
B: It's all right. We'll have.................(when she has drunk her tea)
2. A: John doesn't want to trim the Christmas tree now.
B: It doesn't matter. We'll have............................(this evening)
3. A: She won't answer the letters now.
B: Nevermind. I'll have.............................(tomorrow, instead)
4. A: My brother won't press your trousers now.
B: Don't worry. I'll have......................................(immediately)
5. A: The plumber refuses to fix the faucet now.
54
B:................................................................................
2.
B:................................................................................
3.
B:...............................................................................
4.
A: They employed a painter to wallpaper the main hall only last year.
B:.............................................................................
5.
B:.................................................................................
6.
B:.................................................................................
55
7.
B:................................................................................
8.
B:................................................................................
9.
B:................................................................................
10.
A: They will hire some experts to renovate the old college buildings.
B:...............................................................................
11. Work in pairs. Use the prompts in brackets.
Model:
A: Your hair is too long, (cut) Why don't you have it cut?
B: Yes, you are quite right. I must have my hair cut.
1.
B:.................................................................................
2.
B:.................................................................................
3.
B:..............................................................................
'4.
B:..............................................................................
5.
B:...............................................................................
6.
B:............................................................................
7.
B:...............................................................................
8.
B:............................................................................
9.
B:..............................................................................
10.
B:...............................................................................
56
12. Rephrase the following sentences using the verb LET and the prompts given. Make a
dialogue.
Like make and have, LET requires an Accusative + Infinitive without TO. LET is a verb of
"permissive causation" with the interpretation "a permite" ((ca) sa ...), "a da voie".
For example: He won't let me come in without a ticket. (Nu-mi da voie sa intru fara bilet.)
(Nu vrea sa-mi dea voie sa intru fara bilet.)
Model:
A: The bridge should be rebuilt. B: The mayor decided to let the bridge be built.
1. A: Mary would like to buy herself a new silk dress.
B: Father intends..........................................
2. A: John wants to study languages abroad.
B: His parents decided.................................
3. A: The workers intend to go on strike as of next Monday.
B: The trade unions don't want..............................
4. A: Tom would like to repair his new bike himself.
B: Father decided to........................................
5. A: Ethel would like to go with me to Paris next week.
B: Her parents will be happy to..................................
1.3. RELATED PARTICIPIAL CONSTRUCTIONS (TRANSITIVE VERBS)
13. Construct dialogues using the following model:
The causative verb GET may be used with both the Accusative + Infinitive and the Accusative
+ Past Participle constructions. It requires the infinitive with TO.
Model:
A: This door needs painting.
B: I'll gel Tom to paint it next week. (Tom, next week)
A: It's too late. I must get it done earlier.
A: This car should be repaired.
B: I'll get......................................(mechanic, after Christmas)
57
B: Oh,no...........................................................
2.
B: Yes, please..................................................
3.
4.
A: Can the children take the knives into the garden? (hate)
B: Oh, no..........................................................
6.
B:..............................................................................
2.
B:..............................................................................
3.
B:..............................................................................
59
4.
B:..............................................................................
5.
B:..............................................................................
c. Passivize the following infinitive constructions. Since the infinitive subject will be
identical with the main-clause subject, it will not be expressed.
Model:
I don't want this woman to corrupt me. / don 7 want to be corrupted by this woman.
1. Well, do you want these people to overhear you?
2. Gosh! I'd like a millionaire to fancy me.
3. Does this country wish the Continent to swallow it?
4. He hadn't expected his mother to scold him.
5. Did he then want Brendon to influence him?
6. Indeed, she had intended you to help her.
7. She hadn't expected her friend to take such loving care of her.
8. She had meant him to look for her at the opera.
9.1 had meant this coach to turn me into an athletic hero.
10. I don't want people to pity me.
11. Would you like him to accompany you to the National Gallery?
12. Do you wish him to drive you to the airport?
TEST DE EVALUARE
Correct the mistakes in the following sentences:
1. They let this boy to go out and get half killed.
2. This caused all prices surpass the permitted limits.
3. I can't get this umbrella opening.
4.1 know the episode can be made look that way.
5. This insistence made Peter feeling tired.
6. What would you have me done?
7. He had the police looked for the suspect in every city.
8. I won't have her to stay here a day longer.
60
Bibliografie:
1. Cornilescu, Alexandra & Iclezan-Dimitriu, Ioan, The Infinitive, Editura Institutul
European, Iasi, 2000.
2. Cornilescu, Alexandra, Concepts of Modern Grammar. A Generative Grammar
perspective, EUB, 2006.
3. Cornilescu, Alexandra, Complementation in English. A Minimalist Approach, EUB,
2003.
4. Foley, Mark & Hall, Diane, Advanced Learners Grammar. A self-study reference &
practice book with answers, Longman, 2003.
5. Paidos, Constantin, English Grammar. Theory and Practice, vol I and II, Polirom,
2001.
6. Nastase, Roxana, Gramatica engleza. Verbul. Notiuni generale si exercitii. Cu
rezolvari, vol. II, Edit. Nastase, 2004.
7. Parlog, Hortensia, The English Infinitive- a Source of errors for the Romanian
Learners, in the volume The Sounds of Sounds, Editura Hestia, Timisoara, 1995.
61