The Subjective - with - the Infinitive Construction

Peter is unlikely to accept the job. to be sure

My business partner is sure to to be certain to do smth.

keep the appointment. to be (un) likely

to be liable

IU: The structure expresses confidence, belief, likelihood i.e. the speaker's attitude to the events.

Note I: The word-combination To Be Liable to Do it need special attention drawn to it. It has strong modality and several shades of meaning. Its lexico-grammatical equivalents are:

1) to be likely to do smth.

2) to be able to do smth.

3) to be authorized, bound, obliged to do smth.

The office manager is not liable to sign the contract.

4) to be legally responsible for smth.

Ex.1. Make up sentences about what IS LIABLE/UN/LIKELY to be or to happen. To emphasize features or characters use the following evaluat ive nouns and adjectives.

a risk taker a trouble maker a gossip maker a chronic complainer a whiner a grumbler a weakling an acute observer of life an authority in the field reasonable receptive forgetful energetic honest

progressive

demanding

athletic

intellectual

success-oriented

family-oriented

careful ≠carefree

easy-going ≠hard-driven

sensible

sociable

selfish

talkative

ambitious

Model: 1. I take it that a good accountant is liable to be an authority in his field.

2.1 expect my new roommate to be easy-going and sensible. He/she is unlikely to be either a whiner or a complainer.

Idea: Speak of a new boss, bodyguard, laboratory assistant, a good researcher, a thorough student, etc.

Note II: The Subjective - with - the Infinitive Construction is used with a
passive form of verbs of sense perception, of saying, of mental activity.
E.g.: He is said to be talented He was seen to cross the street.

Ex.2. Transform the sentences using structures. Mind structures with the verbs TO TURN OUT, TO PROVE is used in formal speech (to be done in writing).

1. It is likely that he will be given a Prize Scholarship.

2. It is unlikely that they are discussing the problem now.

3. It seemed that the floor had been swept.

4. He will certainly like the ballet.

5. She will surely make a good teacher.

6. It is certain that they will win the match.

7. It is sure that they are discussing the problem now.

8. It seemed that he knew everything.

9. It seemed that she had been crying for quite a time. 10.lt is likely that he will forgive her.

1 Lit happened that we bought the tickets for the stalls.

12.It seemed that she had changed much.

13.It appeared that he was a teacher by profession, it happened that he had

been at the congress.

14.lt is perfectly certain that they will be great friends.

15.It's unlikely that he will join us.

16..lt appeared that she didn't pay attention to our words.

17.1t happened so that she was busy that evening.

18.It seemed he understood us.

19.It's likely she will arrive one of these days.

20. It turned out that the performance of the Puppet Theatre was clever and

amusing.

21.It was proved that James was the only person to remedy the situation.

22.lt turned out that he had been working in this field for the last two years.

Ex.3. Rephrase the following sentences with evaluative adjectives and nouns

using to "know/to believe smb. to be + A"

Model: The unpleasant truth is, our neighbour is a trouble-maker, a snake of a

woman.

We know our neighbour to be a trouble-maker, a snake of a woman.

1. Terrorist B is tough, vindictive and brutish with the capital "B".

2. The pop-star is ambitious, smart and success-oriented.

3. This politician is practical-minded, energetic and a fine orator at that.

4. This world famous personality is a bit crazy, determined and tough.

5. Any top sportsman is striven, studious and challenging.

6. The general manager is responsible, logical, quick and accurate at figures.

7. The new accountant is an authority in his field, honest and skilled.

8. A security guard is athletic, an acute observer and intellectual at that. Ex.4. Exploit evaluative adjectives and nouns to emphasize features or characters of the following well-known personalities

To sound less categorical use downtoners: somewhat/rather/a bit + A

President Prime Minister Politicians TV personalities

V.Putin

M. Kasjanov

B. Nemtsov,

I. Khakamada

S. Sorokina,

T. Mitkova,

LMenshova,

S.Shuster

top singers

N.Baskov,

Zemfira,

Vitas

showmen sportsmen producers

Alsu

N. Fomenko

A.Kabanova

N. Mikhalkov

Here are some helpful evaluative adjectives: distinguished, imposing, accurate in what he says, sensible, open-minded, acquisitive of new ideas, adequate to