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§ 110. The infinitive as an attribute may be introduced by conjunctive pronouns or adverbs:
He had sought in vain for inspiration how to awaken love.
I had now an idea what to do.
The conjunctive infinitive phrase may be preceded by a preposition:
They had no knowledge of how to live on.
He’s got no information about when to start.
The infinitive as adverbial modifier
§ 111. The infinitive can be used as an adverbial modifier of: purpose, subsequent events, consequence,
attendant circumstances, comparison, condition, exception, time, cause, or motivation. In all these functions
but that of the adverbial modifier of exception, a “to”- infinitive is used.
1. The adverbial modifier of purpose. In this function the action denoted by the infinitive is always a
hypothetical one following the action denoted by the predicate. As such it can be expressed only by non-perfect
common aspect forms of the infinitive (both active and passive):
I think I will go to England to improve my English.
We stood in the rain and were taken out one at a time to be questioned and shot.
In this function a “to”- infinitive is used, but if there are two or more homogeneous adverbials of purpose
joined by and, usually, though not necessarily, only the first of them has the particle to. Compare the following
sentences:
Mary, looking pale and worried, left him to go down to the kitchen and start breakfast.
Then I went upstairs to say how-do-you-do to Emily, and into the kitchen to shake hands with Mary-Ann,
and out into the garden to see the gardener.
The position of the infinitive used as an adverbial modifier of purpose varies. It usually stands after the
predicate, though the position at the beginning of the sentence is also possible:
To occupy her mind, however, she took the job given her.
In both positions the infinitive may be preceded by the conjunction in order, so as or by limiting particle
(just, only):
I keep a diary in order to enter the wonderful secrets of my life.
In order to see her better he had to turn his head.
I’m here just to see you off.
He came down only to say good-night to you.
2. The adverbial modifier of subsequent events. In this function the infinitive denotes an action that
follows the one denoted by the predicate. The position of this adverbial in the sentence is fixed - it always
follows the predicate. The only forms of the infinitive occurring in this function are those of the non-perfect
common aspect, usually active.
He arrived at three o’clock to hear that Fleur had gone out with the car at ten. (He arrived and heard ...)
I came down one morning to find Papa excited to the point of apoplexy. (I came down and found ...)
He hurried to the house only to find it empty. (He hurried and found ...)
In this function the infinitive may be preceded by the particles only, merely, simply, which change the
meaning of the whole sentence: the action denoted by the infinitive preceded by these particles makes the