CHAPTER-24
240. Read the sentences:-
1) They always speak the truth.
2) They always try to speak the truth.
In sentence 1,the verb speak has they for its Subject;hence the Verb
speak is limited by Number and Person.It is therefore,a Finite verb.
In sentence 2,to speak has no Subject and hence it is not limited by
Number and Person.It simply names the action denoted by the Verb.
It is called the Infinitive.
241. Read the folloing sentences :--
1) To err is human.
2) Peacock love to dance.
3) To respect our parents is our duty.
4) She refused to obey her husband.
5) Many boys desire to win prizes.
*) In sentence 1,the Infinitive to err,like a Noun,is the Subject of the
Verb is.
*) In sentence 2,the Infinitive to dance,like a Noun,is the Object of the
verb love.
*) In sentence 3,the Infinitive to respect,like a Noun ,is the subject of
the Verb is but,like a verb,it also takes an Object(our parents).
*) In sentence 4,teh Infinitive to obey,like a Noun,is the Object of the
Verb refused,but,like a Verb,it also takes an Object(her husband).
*) In sentence 5,the Infinitive to win,like a Noun,is the Object of the
Verb desire,but,like a Verb,it also takes an Object(prizes).
It will be seen that the Infinitive does the work of a Noun,for it
can be the Subject of a Verb and the Object of a Transitive Verb.So
the Infinitive is a Verb-Noun.
242. In the following sentences the Infinitive has been used as the Subject
of a Finite Verb.
1) To steal is wrong.
2) To find fault is easy.
3) To play with explosives is dangerous.
4) To waste your time is foolish.
5) To eat too much is harmful.
*) These sentences look awkward.It is better to use a preparatory
it as the Subject in each case.
No. It+to be Subject Complement Subject
1. It is wrong to steal
2. It is easy to find fault
3. It is dangerous to play with explosives.
4. It is foolish to waste your time.
5. It is harmful to eat too much.
6. It was useless to try again.
7. It will be wise to drive slowly.
8. It would be a mistake to ignore her advice.
9. It is impossible to live without air.
10. It is difficult to convince her.
11. It is rude to interrupt others in conversation.
12. It is selfish to take more than one's share of food.
13. It is a shame to shout at women.
14. It is a pleasure to talk to her.
15. It is an offence to bribe a public servant.
16. It is possible to croos the river.
17. It is delightful to hear the sound of the sea.
18. It was fun to watch the antics of th clowns.
Exercise 71.Rewrite the following sentences,using the introductory
word 'it':-
1). To cheat others is wrong.
2). To climb Everest is very difficult.
3). To waste your money is foolish.
4). To call people names is not polite.
5). To put things off until the last minute is not wise.
6). To sit in the sun on a cold day is pleasant.
7). To read your handwriting is impossible.
8). To betray your best friend is disgraceful.
9). To bribe a public servant is a penal offence.
10).To hear the sound of the sea is delightful.
243. Preparatory it is used when the Subject is the
for+noun(or pronoun)+to-infinitive construction.
no It+to be Subject for+(Noun or Pronoun) Infinitive
Complement
1. It was hard for him to live on his small income.
2. It is dangerous for children to play with fire.
3. It is easy for a monkey to climb trees.
4. It is rude for the young to make fun of their elders.
5. It is foolish for young boys to keep long hair.
6. It is not safe for children to play in the road.
7. It was impossible for us to follow her speech.
8. It is difficult for a deaf person to hear.
9. It is absurd for you to quarrel with a lady.
10. It was the rule for boys and girls. to study together.
11. Is it the custom for the women to wear veils in your country?
12. It was a mistake for us to ignore her advice.
13. It is a shame for you to gossip about us.
14. It would a pleasure for us to be present at the party.
be
15. It would a pity for us to cancel the party.
be
Exercise 72. Complete the following sentences by using infinitive phrases :--
1. Is it safe-------?
2. It is pleasant------
3. It is a pleasure-----
4. It is not easy-------
5. It was not fair-----
6. It is a shame-------
7. It is dangerous-----
8. It is foolish-------
9. It is a mistake------
10. It was impossible---
11. It is wrong----------
12. It is fun--------------
244. We sometimes have also the following pattern :
It is(was)+adjective/of+noun or pronoun denoting the person or
persons+infinitive or infinitive construction denoting the action.
No. It+to be Adjective of+(Noun or Pronoun) Infinitive
1. It was very kind of your uncle to give us a lift in his car.
2. It was foolish of her to reject the offer.
3. It is good of your parents to invite us to the party.
4. It was brave of him to rescue the child from
drowning.
5. It would stupid of us to refuse the offer.
be
6. It was generous of your brother to send me this present.
7. It was cruel of these boys to throw stones at birds.
8. It was wrong of me to blame her.
9. It was mean of him to beat his wife.
10. It was quite right of the maste to punish the servant for
dishonesty
11. It was cowardly of him to strike a poor beggar.
12. It was extremely of her to take all the sweets and
selfish leave none for the rest of us.
Exercise 73. Complete the following sentences,by using Infinitive
constructions :--
1. It is dangerous for children-------
2. It is rude for the young------------
3. It was impossible for us-----------
4. Is it a custom for the women-------?
5. It is a shame for him--------------
6. It would be a pleasure for us----
7. It is absurd for you---------------
8. It was very cowardly of him-----
9. It is mean of you------------------
10. It was generous of them--------
11. It was very selfish of John-----
12. It was very thoughtful of out hostess----
245. Preparatory it is used with seem and appear when the Subject is an
Infinitive Phrase.
No. It+verb Subject Complement Subject
1. It seemed impossible to go on.
2. It seems a pity not to make use of her influence.
3. It seemed(to me) a great mistake to fight against such heavy odds.
4. It appeared(to me) a bold plan to capture the fort at night.
5. It didn't seem much use for us to try to catch the
5 o'clock train.
246. Verbs in this pattern are used with a to+infinitive
Group A
*) In this table the Infinitive is one of purpose or aim.
No Subject+Verb to+Infinitive,etc.
1. We eat to live.
2. They stopped to have a rest.
3. He called to see my brother.
4. I am waiting to hear your views.
5. I come to bury Caesar,not to praise him.
6. He went to buy some milk.
7. He's gone out to buy some cigarettes.
8. She went to see the Exhibition.
9. We stood up to greet her.
10. They got up to salute the flag.
11. She longed to accompany us.
12. The children ran to help their mother.
13. They agreed to help us.
14. Don't hesitate to speak the truth.
15. The team failed to score a goal.
Group B
*)In this table the Infinitive indicates result or outcome.
No. Subject+Verb to+Infinitive,etc.
1. She came to see the result of her misdeeds.
2. How did he come to know of that?
3. How can I get to know her?
4. She lived to be eighty.
5. You will live to regret it.
6. Will he live to finish his great work?
7. The news proved to be false.
247.The present progressive tense of go is used to indicate
(1) likelihood or probability (as in example 1-6).
(2) intention (as in example 7-13).
(3) future time (as in examples 14 and 15).
No. Subject+be going to+Infinitive,etc.
1. It's going to rain this evening.
2. Is this shortage of
sugar going to continue?
3. I think I'm going to have flu.
4. I'm afraid I'm not to pass the examination.
going
5. The work is going to be more difficult than I expected.
6. We are going to suffer more losses this year than we did last year.
7. We are going to buy a new radio set?
8. Where are you to spend your holidays?
going
9. Our country is to grow more food this year.
going
10. Are you going to take the examination?
11. Are you going to learn French and German?
12. When is she going to marry her cousin?
13. I'm going to finish this work before four o'clock.
14. I'm going to tell you a story.
15. Mira is going to have a baby.
248. Adjectives such as easy,hard,difficult,good and comfortable are followed
by an active,not a passive Infinitive.
No. Subject+Verb Adjective to+Infinitive
1. Apples are good to eat.
2. This water is good to drink.
3. This fruit is bad to eat.
4. This word is hard to pronounce.
5. English is easy to learn.
6. His speech is difficult to follow.
7. These shoes are comfortable to wear.
8. This book is easy to read.
9. The parcel was heavy to carry.
10. Her tale was interesting to hear.
11. The destruction was horrible to see.
249. Also note the following:--
1). I shall be glad to help you.
2). I am anxious to help her.
3). We are willing to accept her offer.
4). We are afraid to do it.
Exercise 74. Match the group in(b) with suitable clauses in (a):--
Example:- This powder is sweet to taste.
(a) (b)
1. This powder is sweet to live in.
2. This coffee is hot to look at.
3. This book is interesting to believe.
4. These mangoes are good to translate.
5. His speech was difficult to pronounce.
6. This box is heavy to taste.
7. The rose is beautiful to drink.
8. that woollen coat is warm to eat.
9. This passage is difficult to lift.
10. Her story is hard to read.
11. These words are difficult to follow.
12. Our house is very pleasant to wear.
250. Verbs given in this pattern maybe followed by a Noun or Indefinite
Pronoun and to and Infinitive.The Noun or Pronoun may be qualified
by an Adjective.
No. Subject+verb Adjective to+Infinitive
1. He has some paper to write on.
2. He has a pen to write with.
3. She has some books to read.
4. They had no chairs to sit on.
5. The children had no shoes to wear.
6. I want something to eat.
7. Haven' you anything to do?
8. She had nothing to say.
9. Can't you find something useful to do?
10. I haven't anything to wear.
11. Isn't there anything more to look at?
interesting
12. He had nothing new to say on the subject.
13. She wants somebody to talk to.
251. The for+noun(or pronoun)+to-infinitive construction is also used.
No. Subject+Verb Noun or Pronoun for+Noun to+infinitive
(or pronoun)
1. Haven't you any apples for the children to eat?
2. Haven't you anything for me to do?
3. I must find somebody for you to play tennis with.
4. There are no good books for girls to read in this library.
5. There's nothing suitable for children to read in this book.
THE INFINITIVE WITHOUT 'TO'
252. To is very commonly used with the Infinitive,but it is not a necessary sign
of the Infinitive.The folliwng Verbs take the Infinitive without to.
(1) The Principal verbs:--Can,must,let,make,bid,dare,please,need,
and also Verbs denoting some kind of perception;see,feel,hear,
know,watch etc.
>) He can run very fast [=He is able to run very fast].
>) You must go [=You are commanded to go].
>) Let him stand there.
>) I bade him go there. >) Please go there.
>) You need not go there. >) Make her sit.
>) You dare not do it. >) I saw him win the race.
>) I felt him touch me. >) I heard her sing.
>) Bid him do it.
NOTE:-In Affirmative sentences to is generally used after the Verb dare;as,
>) He dared to defy me. >) He dared to oppose her.
(2) The Auxiliary Verbs:--Do,shall,will,may,might,should,would.
>) He does not like her.
>) Will you come with me?
>) We eat that we may live.
Also when they are used as Principal Verbs.
1). You may go [=you are allowed to go].
2). I will do it {=I am willing to do it].
3). He shall go [=He is compelled to go].
(3) The Infinitive without to is used after had better,had rather,had sooner,
would rather,sooner than,had rather than;as,
>) You had better read this book.
>) I would rather die than suffer all this.
>) I had rather dance than sing.
>) I had sooner run than work.
(4) To before the Infinitive is omitted after than,and after
but in the sense of' except ';as,
>) She is better able to sing than dance.
>) She did no more than weep.
>) She did nothing but laugh and sing.
253. It is possible to join two sentences together by using
an Infinitive :--
1. He has some bills.he must pay them.
He has some bills to pay.
2. He has six children.He must provide for them.
He has six children to provide for.
3. The strikers held a meeting.They wished to discuss the terms of the employers.
The strikers held a meeting to discuss the terms of the employers.
4. He wanted to educate his son.He sent him to America.
He sent his son to America to be educated.
5. He was very tired.He could not go any further.
He was too tired to go any further.
Exercise 75. State how the Infinitive is used in the following sentences :--
1. To speak the truth is your first duty.
2. He tried to help his friend.
3. He refused to obey my orders.
4. He promised to help me.
5. We hope to hear good news.
6. To play cards is his great delight.
7. There wa not a moment to be lost.
8. These mangoes are not good to eat.
9. I heard her sing.
10. I am sorry to hear this.
11. He is slow to forget.
12. To forgive is divine.
13. My desire is to help her.
14. I come to bury Caesar,not to praise him.
15. I am not afraid to speak the truth.
16. To toil is the lot of mankind.
17. She was quick to see through his game.
18. Everybody wishes to become rich.
19. Her greatest pleasure is to dance.
20. They always try to find fault with me.
Exercise 76. Combine the following pairs of sentences by using Infinitive :--
1. I speak the truth.I am not afraid of it.
2. Health is very important.It must not be neglected.
3. He has a large family.he must support it.
4. He cannot afford a motor-car.He is very poor.
5. I heard of his good fortune.I was glad of that.
6. Your parents will hear of your success.They will be delighted.
7. He wants to win the first prize.He works very hard for that purpose.
8. He is very honourable.He will not break his word.
9. His friend went to Agra yesterday.His object was to visit the Taj.
10.Everyone should do his duty.India expects this of every man.
11. She visits the poor.She is keen to remove their sufferings.
12. She collects old stamps.This is her favourite hobby.
13. She had no money.She could not help the poor.
14. She is very ill.She cannot do any work.
15. He is going to Delhi,He will start business there.
16. Your sister had not enough industry.She could not win a prize.
17. He wants to serve his country.This is his greatest desire.
18. He went to the hills.He wanted to improve his shattered health.
19. We should respect our parents.This is our duty.
20. You should not play with explosives.It is dangerous.
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