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87
The objective with the infinitive construction
§ 115. In the objective with the infinitive construction the infinitive (usually an infinitive phrase) is in
predicate relation to a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case (hence the name of the
construction). The whole construction forms a complex object of some verbs. It is rendered in Russian by an
object clause.
The objective with the infinitive construction is used in the following cases:
1. After verbs of sense perception (to see, to hear, to feel, to watch, to observe, to notice and some others).
In this case the only possible form of the infinitive is the non-perfect
common aspect active voice form, used without the particle to:
No one has ever heard her cry.
I paused a moment and watched the tram-car stop.
The verb to listen to, though not a verb of sense perception, is used in the same way, with a bare infinitive:
He was listening attentively to the chairman speak.
If the verb to see or to notice is used with the meaning to realize, or the verb to hear with the meaning to
learn, the objective with the infinitive construction cannot be used. Here only subordinate object clause is
possible:
I saw that he did not know anything.
I hear you have dropped the idea of leaving him.
Не only had time to notice that the girl was unusually
pretty.
Я видел (понимал), что он ничего не знает.
Я слышала (узнала), что ты отказалась от мысли
уйти от него.
Он только успел заметить (осознать), что девушка
была необычайно хорошенькой.
2. After verbs of mental activity (to think, to believe, to consider, to expect, to understand, to suppose, to
find and some others). Here the infinitive is used in any form, though the non-perfect forms are the most
frequent (always with the particle to).
I know him to be an honest man.
She believed him to have left for San Francisco.
I believed her to be knitting in the next room.
I should expect my devoted friend to be devoted to me.
3. After verbs of emotion (to like, to love, to hate, to dislike and some others). Here non-perfect, common
aspect forms of the “to”- infinitive are the most usual.
I always liked him to sing.
She hated her son to be separated from her.
I’d love you to come with me too.
I hated him to have been sent away.
4. After verbs of wish and intention (to want, to wish, to desire, to intend, to mean and some others). After
these verbs only non-perfect common aspect forms of the infinitive with the particle to are used:
He only wished you to be near him.
I don’t want him to be punished.
5. After verbs of declaring (to declare, to pronounce):