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action denoted by the predicate pointless or irrelevant.
She returned to London in a few days, only to learn that Bess had gone to the continent. (She returned ...,
and learnt...)
3. As an adverbial modifier of consequence the infinitive depends on a) adjectives and adverbs modified
by too; b) adjectives, adverbs and nouns modified by enough; c) adjectives modified by so, and nouns modified
by such. In the last two cases the infinitive is introduced by as:
a)
was too tired to argue. (= He was so fired, that is why he couldn’t arque)
The story was too interesting to be passed over lightly.
He had gone too far to draw back.
b) He’s old enough to learn this. (= He is old enough, so he can learn this)
I thought I liked Letty well enough to marry her. (=1 liked Letty, so I wanted to marry her)
He was fool enough to enjoy the game.
He had seen enough blasted, burned out tanks to have no illusions.
c) She was so kind as to accept my proposal. (= She was so kind, therefore she accepted my proposal)
Do you think I am such a fool as to let it out of my hands?
In all these cases the infinitive denotes an action, which would become or became possible (enough, so,
such) or impossible (too) due to the degree of quality or quantity expressed in the words it refers to.
The position of the infinitive is fixed, it always follows the words it modifies. The form of the infinitive is
non-perfect, common aspect, usually active. .
4. The infinitive used as an adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances shows what other actions take
place at the same time as the action of the predicate.
He left the house never to come back.
I am sorry to have raised your expectations only to disappoint you.
The infinitive thus used always follows the predicate verb it modifies. As to its form, it is a non-perfect,
common aspect, active voice form.
5. The infinitive used as an adverbial modifier of comparison refers to predicate groups including
adjectives or adverbs in the comparative degree. The infinitive itself is introduced by than:
To give is more blessed than to receive.
Soon she realized, that it was much more pleasant to give than to be given.
He knew better than to rely on her.
Although the infinitive of comparison is generally used with to, it may also occur without it:
I was more inclined to see her safely married than go on watching over her.
6. The infinitive used as an adverbial modifier of condition denotes an action which pre-conditions the
action expressed by the predicate.
To look at Montmorency you would imagine that he was an angel sent upon earth ... (If you looked ...,
you would imagine ...)
To touch it one would believe that it was the best of furs. (If one touched it, one would believe ...)
I’ll thank you to take your hands off me. (I’ll thank you, if you take ...)
The position of this infinitive as can be seen from the examples above varies; it may either precede or follow