The infinitive is frequently used in a sort of phrase known as the infinitive with its subject. Such a phrase contains a noun or a pronoun with an infinitive joined to it in such a way that the two taken together are an object. The phrase is generally equivalent to a noun clause.

In the sentence, I expect you to go, neither you nor go by itself can serve as the object of expect, since I do not expect either you or to go. What I do expect is, you to go. The entire phrase is used as object. It is made up of the infinitive go, its sign to, and its subject you. The phrase is equivalent to the noun clause that you will go.

The sentence She bought peaches to can, is different. The word peaches alone can be taken as object, for she did buy peaches. The phrase to can is an ordinary adjective adjunct equivalent to for canning. The words peaches to can are not an infinitive with a subject.

Exercise 240

Find the object in each sentence. In how many cases is there no one word that can be taken as object?

Find four infinitives with subjects. Try to change each of these phrases to a noun clause.

Tell how each of the other infinitives is used.

1. She permitted the matter to drop.

2. I want you to try my rule for fudge.

3. He keeps a dog to drive the cattle.

4. Some farmers allow the cattle to feed in the corn fields after the husking is done.

5. I believe you to be sincere.

6. He raises berries to sell.

Exercise 241

Analyze each sentence and give the construction of each infinitive.

1. She promised to help me..

2. She does nothing except study.

3. A thirsty stag came to the spring to drink.

4. I have known him to lie.

5. It is necessary to keep ferment from food.

6. One way to keep ferment from fruit is to cook and can the fruit.

7. Readiness to see good in others makes friends.

8. I dared not turn back.

9. Folks would laugh to see a cinder maid at a court ball.

10. She wishes me to tell you the story.

11. To be cheerful is to be a benefactor to society.

12. Make him help me.

13. She seems to try.

14. I am ready to go.

15. I heard the tree fall.

16. You are old enough to work.

17. I expect to enjoy the concert.

18. I expect you to enjoy the concert.

Exercise 242

Describe all verbals not found in verb phrases.

1. To describe the effect of her words would be impossible.

2. Finishing the work required much patience.

3. Finishing the work, she gave a sigh of relief.

4. Her greatest pleasure is making others happy.

5. She is trying to help the church.

6. Will Scarlet laughed loudly, clapping his hands for pure joy.

7. I felt your act to be a mistake.

8. This is her highest wish, to help others.

9. The first step in adopting a system of rotation of crops is to study the arrangement of your fields.

10. You should rest before beginning the new trip.

11. Seated upon a mossy couch was a man all dressed in scarlet.

12. The reward of one duty is the power to fulfill another.

13. Driven from one place in the Highlands to another, Bruce attempted to force his way into Lorne.

14. I remember reading the book.

15. I had my regular work of taking care of the garden.

16. A ship laden with goods belonging to a merchant was lost.

17. To produce a Jonathan apple tree, the nurseryman grafts a twig cut from a Jonathan tree upon the root of any seedling.

18. Finding that his wish grew upon him, he began making secret preparations for a journey.

19. In May, when sea-winds pierced our solitudes, 1 found the fresh Rhodora in the woods, Spreading its leafless bloom in a damp nook, To please the desert and the sluggish brook. The purple petals, fallen in the pool.

Made the black water with their beauty gay;

Here might the red-bird come his plumes to cool,

And court the flower that cheapens his array.

Rhodora! if the sages ask thee why

This charm is wasted on the earth and sky,

Tell them, dear, that if eyes were made for seeing,

Then Beauty is its own excuse for being.

Ralph Waldo Emerson.