III.The For-to-Infinitive Construction
The For-to-Infinitive Construction is a construction in which the Infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun or pronoun preceded by the preposition “for”.
In translating this construction into Russian a subordinate clause or an infinitive is used. The construction can have different functions in the sentence. It can be:
1. Subject, often with the introductory “it”
Eg. I sometimes think it is shame for people to spend so much money this way. – Яиногдадумаю, чтостыднолюдямтратитьнаэто
такмногоденег.
2. Predicative
Eg. That was for him to find out. – Выяснить это должен был он.
3. Attribute
Eg. There is nobody here for him to play with. – Здесьнетникого,
скем он мог бы поиграть.
4. Complex Object
Eg. He waited for her to speak. – Онждал, когдаоназаговорит.
He asked for the papers to be brought. – Онпопросилпринести
бумаги.
5. Adverbial Modifier:
a) of result
Eg. Hespokeloudenoughforyoutohear. – Он говорил достаточно
громко, чтобы Вы могли его слышать.
He had consented, and it was too late for him now to recede. – Онуже
далсогласие, итеперьбылопоздноотступать.
b) of purpose
Eg. He stepped aside for me to pass. – Онотошелвсторону, чтобыямоглапройти.
He spoke loud for me to hear. – Онговорилгромко, чтобыямоглауслышать.
With the expressions “to be sorry”, “to be glad”, “to be pleased” the Infinitive is used only if the subject of the sentence represents at the same time the doer of the action expressed by the Infinitive, over wise a subordinate clause is used.
Eg. I am pleased to have got a ticket for the concert. – Ярада, чтодосталабилетнаэтотконцертю
I am glad to have seen you. – Яраг, чтовстретилтебя.
I am glad you got a ticket for the concert. – Ярад, чтоВыдосталибилетнаэтотконцерт.
IV.The Absolute Infinitive Construction
The subject of the infinitive in all adverbial functions is the same person or thing as denoted by the subject of the sentence. But the Infinitive may also have a subject of its own with which it forms the so-called Absolute Construction with the Infinitive.
The Absolute Construction with the Infinitive is introduced by the preposition “with”. The Infinitive is used with the particle “to”.
The Absolute Construction with the Infinitive has the function of adverbial modifier of attending circumstances in the sentence.
Eg. Miss Jillian is bellow, Sir, with a carriage to take you home. – Сэр, миссДжиллианнаходитсявнизу, сэкипажем, которыйотвезетВасдомой.
There are two parallel actions in this sentence. One of them is expressed by the predicate, the other – by the Infinitive. Each action has its own subject.
The Infinitive Absolute Construction is infrequent and found only in literary style.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion it should be noted that the Predicative Constructions are the constructions consisting of two elements: a nominal (noun or pronoun) and verbal (Participle, Gerund or Infinitive). The verbal element stands in predicate relation to the nominate element, that is to say in a relation similar to that between the subject and the predicate of the sentence. In most cases predicative constructions form syntactic units, serving as one part of the sentence.
In English there are three groups of predicative constructions. These are the constructions with Participle, Gerund, and Infinitive.
Participial, Gerundial and Infinitive constructions are highly varied. The structure of some of them is foreign to the Russian language, although their meaning can be fully conveyed in Russian with the help of forms, characteristic of Russian. The constructions are translated into Russian by objective, attributive, adverbial or other subordinate clauses.
The Predicative Constructions with the Infinitive are divided into four types:
1. The Objective-with-the-Infinitive Construction
2. The Subjective-with-the-Infinitive Construction
3. The For-to-Infinitive Construction
4. The Absolute Infinitive.
1. The Objective-with-the-Infinitive Construction is a construction in which the Infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case. In the sentence this construction has the function of a Complex Object.
2. The Subjective-with-the-Infinitive Construction traditionally called the Nominative-with-the-Infinitive Construction is a construction in which the Infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun in the common case or pronoun in the nominative case.
The peculiarity of this construction is that it does not serve as one part of the sentence. One of its component parts has the function of the subject, the other forms part of a compound verbal predicate.
3. The For-to-Infinitive Construction is a construction in which the Infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun or pronoun preceded by the preposition “for”.
In translating this construction into Russian a subordinate clause or an infinitive is used. The construction can have different functions in the sentence. It can be: subject, predicative, attribute, complex, object, adverbial modifier (of result, purpose).
4. The Absolute Construction with the Infinitive is formed by the subject of the Infinitive which in all adverbial functions is the same person or thing as denoted by the subject of the sentence.
The Absolute Construction with the Infinitive is introduced by the preposition “with”. The Infinitive is used with the particle “to”. The Absolute Construction with the Infinitive has the function of adverbial modifier of attending circumstances in the sentence.
The Infinitive Absolute Construction is infrequent and found only in literary style. That’s why it is consider that in Modern English there are only three Predicative Constructions.
It should be noted that the Predicative Constructions with the Infinitive are translated into Russian by subordinate clause, but sometimes they can be translated by simple sentence.
Eg. The noise caused her to awake. – Отшумаонапроснулась. (Simple sentence, Objective Infinitive Construction)
Jane is said to resemble me. – Говорят, чтоДжейнпохожанаменяю. (Subordinate clause, Subjective Infinitive Construction)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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| 2nd addition revised and enlarged In Moscow 1980«Высшая Школа» Москва | ||
| 2. | Каушанская В.Л. | «Грамматика Английского Языка»(на английском языке) |
| 4-ое издание Ленинград 1973 | ||
| Издательство «Просвещение» | ||
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| 4-ое издание, исправленноеМослва «Высшая Школа» 1979 | ||
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| 4th addition | ||
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