The Infinitive as part of a compound verbal predicate

In this function the Infinitive occurs in three types of a compound verbal predicate:

1) the compound verbal modal predicate;

2) the compound verbal phasal predicate;

3) the compound verbal predicate of double orientation.

I. As part of a compound verbal modal predicate the Infinitive follows a modal verb (the first part of this predicate) and denotes the action which may be possible, obligatory, desirable, etc. as indicated by the modal verb.

I don’t have to work on Sunday. Мне не нужно работать по воскресеньям.

Passengers must show their tickets to the conductor. Пассажиры должны предъявлять билеты кондуктору.

You aren’t well. Perhaps you should see a doctor. Вы нездоровы. Может быть, вам следует показаться врачу.

You ought to have warned her. Вам следовало бы предупредить ее.

II. As part of a compound verbal phasal predicate the Infinitive follows a phasal verb, that is a verb that denotes the beginning, the duration, the repetition or the end of the action expressed by the Infinitive (to begin, to start, to come, to cease, to continue, used to, would, etc.)

People started to leave the theatre long before the end of the play. Публика стала уходить из театра задолго до конца спектакля.

We soon came to realize that all was in vain. Мы скоро начали понимать, что все напрасно.

It soon began to snow heavily. Скоро пошел сильный снег.

They gradually ceased to talk and fell asleep. Постепенно они перестали разговаривать и заснули.

It continued to rain the whole day. Дождь шел целый день.

Не used to meet her outside the Stores. Обычно он встречал ее у магазина.

Before leaving his office Mr. Ferro as a matter of courtesy would telephone to his wife. Перед уходом с работы мистер Ферро в виде жеста вежливости обычно звонил жене.

Note: The Infinitive after the verb to stop expresses purpose and indicates that the action will follow another. In this case the verb to stop has the meaning «to make a break», «to pause in order to do something’.

He stopped to talk to me about our plans. = He stopped in order to talk to me...

He stopped to light a cigarette. = He stopped so as to light a cigarette.

III. As part of a compound predicate of double orientation the Infinitive follows the part of the predicate which may be expressed by six groups of verbs and phrases: (among them 4 groups of verbs are used in the passive voice):