Complex Subject (The Subjective Infinitive Construction)

Complex Subject contains the Subject complicated by the Infinitive: Ann is said to resemble her sister. The underlined words are the Subject of the sentence.

Complex Subject is used:

a) with the following verbs in the Passive Voice: see, hear, think, consider, know, expect, believe, suppose, make, say, report, allege, etc.:

He was seen to disappear in the distance.

The man was reported to have stolen the money.

The manuscript is believed to have been written in the 15^th century.

b) with the word-groups: to be likely, to be sure, to be certain:

They are likely to be married in September.

He is sure (certain) to come.

c) with the verbs in the Active Voice: seem, appear, happen, prove, turn out:

The experiment proved to be a failure.

They all turned out to be good friends.

They seemed to have forgotten my address.

Only yesterday we happened to see Andy.