Unit III Grammar Complex Subject

Noun/Pronoun + Predicate + Infinitive

The combination of a noun in the common case (or a pronoun in the nominative case) and an infinitive forms a complex subject. The predicate which is usually expressed by a verb in the passive voice  is placed between the noun and the infinitive. Key examples:

• He is said to be a good teacher. 

• The boy is known to have passed his exams well. 

The predicate in sentences with a complex subject can be expressed by: 1. The same verbs that can be followed by a complex object  (that is verbs of sense perception: to see, to hear…, verbs of mental activity: to know, to suppose…; verbs of inducement: to order, to cause, to allow…,). The verbs are used in the passive voice. Patterns. Read and memorize!

1. He was supposed to bring this book from London. (Predicate is underlined.) 

2. They are heard to have come from the South. 

3. They were seen to go home together.

4. This article is expected to be published next month.

2. verbs of saying: to say, to report, to announce... in the passive voice. Patterns. Read and memorize!

1. The building of the new hostel is reported to be over. 

2. He was said to be writing a new play.

3. the verbs to seem, to appear, to prove, to happen, to turn out, to chance are followed by verbs in the active voice.

1. The telephone happened to be out of order. 

2. The young man proved to know everybody. 

3. The house seems to have been damaged by the earthquake.

4. compound predicate: to be likely, to be unlikely, to be sure, to be certain, to be bound.

1. They are likely to return on Sunday. 

2. Their team is certain to win. / Their team is bound to win. 

3. He is sure to miss this train. 

4. This house is likely to have been built many centuries ago.

Exercise 1. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. Не is said to know all about it. 2. He was said to have known the whole truth about it. 3. Juri Gagarin is known to be the first man in the world to travel into space on the 12th of April, 1961. 4. He is supposed to be a very good film actor. 5. He is believed to be innocent of the crime. 6. Innocent people were announced to have been murdered by terrorists. 7. The terrorist was announced to have been killed by his own bomb. 8. The exhibition of 19th century French painting is expected to open by the end of next week. 9. Monet’s painting is reported to be on exhibition until the end of the month. 10. The President of Russia was reported to speak to the nation on television tonight. 11. The American astronaut Neil Armstrong is known to be the first man to walk on the moon. 12. He was said to be one of the most promising nuclear physicists. 13. He is said to be a good translator. 14. Roberta was known to be an honest and hard-working girl. 15. Clyde was expected to arrive at the weekend.

Exercise 2. Paraphrase the sentences using Complex object.

Example: People consider the climate there to be very healthy. = The climate there is considered to be very healthy.

1. People consider the climate there to be very healthy. 2. It was announced that the Chinese dancers were arriving next week. 3. It is expected that the performance will be a success. 4. It is said that the book is popular with both old and young. 5. It is believed that the poem was written by an unknown soldier. 6. It is supposed that the playwright is working at a new comedy. 7. It is reported that the flood has caused much damage to the crops. 8. It was supposed that the crops would be rich that year. 9. It has been found that this mineral water is very good for the liver. 10. Scientists consider that electricity exists throughout space. 11. It is said that the weather in Europe was exceedingly hot last summer. 12. It was reported that five ships were missing after the battle.

Exercise3. Translate the sentences into English using Complex Subject. 

1. Говорят, что это здание было построено в 15 веке.

2. Предполагают, что собрание закончится в 10 часов.

3. Никак не ожидали, что холодная погода наступит так рано.

4. Из трех сестер Бронте Шарлотта считается наиболее талантливой.

5. Как известно, английская писательница Войнич жила в течение нескольких лет в Петербурге и изучала русскую литературу.

6. Считают, что русская литература оказала влияние на ее творчество.

7. Известно, что римляне построили на Британских островах хорошие дороги.

8. Полагают, что поэма «Беовульф» была написана в 15 веке.

9. Вальтер Скотт считается создателем исторического романа.

10. Сообщают, что экспедиция достигла места назначения.

11. Полагают, что они знают об этом больше, чем хотят показать.

12. Говорят, что он работает над своим изобретением уже несколько лет.

13. Говорят, что эта статья переведена на все языка мира.

14. Ожидают, что они выиграют этот матч.