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75
As to the functioning of single infinitives and infinitive phrases, they are identical in this respect and
therefore will be used without distinction in illustrations. However it should be noted that in fact the infinitive
phrase is much more common than the single infinitive.
The infinitive as subject
§ 102. The infinitive functioning as subject may either precede the predicate or follow it. In the latter case it
is introduced by the so-called introductory it, which is placed at the beginning of the sentence:
To be good is to be in harmony with oneself.
It’s so silly to be fussy and jealous.
The second of these structural patterns is more common than the first, and the subject in this pattern is more
accentuated (compare for example: It’s impossible to do it and To do it is impossible). The other difference is
that in the second case the sentence can be both declarative and interrogative, while in the first one the sentence
can only be declarative:
Declarative sentences
It’s nice to see you again.
It was not a good idea to bring her here
To find him still at home was a relief.
To see her again did not give him the usual pleasure.
Interrogative sentences
Is it bad to love one so dearly?
Wasn’t it a waste of time to sit there?
The infinitive subject in both structural patterns is a “to” - infinitive. If there are two or more homogeneous
infinitive subjects in a sentence, all of them keep the particle to:
To be alone, to be free from the daily interests and cruelty would be happiness to Asako.
It was awfully difficult to do or even to say nothing at all.
The function of the subject can be performed by the infinitive of any voice, aspect and perfect form,
although the common aspect non-perfect active forms are naturally far more frequent.
To expect too much is a dangerous thing.
To be walking through the fields all alone seemed an almost impossible pleasure.
To have seen her was even a more painful experience.
To be recognized, to be greeted by some local personage afforded her a joy which was very great.
To have been interrogated in such a way was a real shock to him.
§ 103. The predicate of the subject expressed by an infinitive always takes the form of the 3rd person
singular. As to its type, it is usually a compound nominal predicate with the link verb to be, although other link
verbs may also occur, as well as a verbal predicate.
To acquire knowledge and to acquire it unceasingly is the first duty of the artist.
To understand is to forgive.
To talk to him bored me.
To see the struggle frightened him terribly.
To write a really good book requires more time than I have.
The infinitive as part of the predicate