The Identity Rule and Its Application

The subject of the infinitive is dropped, if it is identical with that of the

finite verb - otherwise it is introduced by "for".

E.g. He is glad. He has moved into a new flat. - - He is glad to have

moved into a new flat.

But

He is glad. Ann has moved into a new flat. - - He is glad for Ann to

have moved into a new flat.

The subject of the infinitive is dropped as well, if expressed by an indefinite or a negative pronoun:

It is too late. Nobody can do anything now. - -

It is too late (for anybody) to do anything now. - -

It is too late to do anything now.

the first to answer a man to admire nothing to do

Infinitive as Attribute

Str. XIII

He was always the first to enter

the dining-room and the last to leave it.

Ex.1. Transform the following sentences using Structure XIII. Mind the Identity Rule (to be done in writing).

1. He is the very doctor who can cure you.

2. He has many duties which he must perform.

3. He was the first who took the floor.

4. Here is the book which we shall read next.

5. He was the only one who could answer the question.

6. I have some more questions, which you must answer.

7. She had no news, that she could tell him.

8. I wanted time, so that I might think the suggestion over.

9. They had two hours that they might spend together before the departure. lO.This is the passage which you must learn by Saturday.

1 l.This charming girl is the very actress who will do the part of Desdemona.

12.The Dean gave some instructions which were to be carried out.

13.Here are some rules which you are supposed to remember.

14.lt was not the sort of things that could be said over the telephone.

15.Cosmonaut Beregovoy was the oldest man who made a spaceflight.

16.He had a lady who had taught him to read aloud.

17. She was the only relative who offered practical help.

18.I'm not the only one who had gone through it.

19. She was not a girl who would break her habits.

20.The Wright brothers were the first people who achieved "powered flight"

Ex.2. Think of small situations, using the following sentences with infinitive in

the attributive function.

1. There is plenty of work to be done.

2. We have a tutor to teach us to understand things.

3. She is a girl to attract immediate sympathy.

4. There is nothing to envy him for.

5. She was the first to break the silence.

6. It is a chance not to be missed.

Adverbials with the Infinitive Infinitive as Adverbial Modifier