The infinitive Positive Infinitive Negative Infinitive

They ask us to speak English in class.	They ask us not to speak any other language in class.
From the first lesson they asked us to speak English.	From the first lesson they asked us not to speak any other language.

Be Careful!

They don’t ask us to speak our own language in class

They ask us not to speak our own language in class.

Exercise 7. Complete the following sentences using the Present Infinitive.

Example: I heard about your accident.

I was sorry to hear about your accident.

1. People often park in this driveway.

They’re not supposed ______ .

2. I didn’t get any mail yesterday.

I was surprised ______ .

3. Are you buying this merchandise?

You can use your credit card ______ .

4. Susan may be promoted after only two months.

_______ is very unusual.

5. John is successful in his new job.

He was determined ______ .

Exercise 8. Translate the sentences with the Infinitive into Russian.

1. To be a brilliant speaker is a big problem.

2. The role of advertising is to maintain the customer’s loyalty.

3. One of the manager’s objectives is to attempt to predict future performances.

4. One of the easiest ways of increasing sales is to increase credit.

5. The best way of getting a message across in speech is not to read a script, but to speak just from notes.

6. The assets of a bankrupt company are liquidated to pay the debts.

7. Measures are adopted to enable the company to manage with only small cash balance.

8. In order to keep debts to a minimum, an efficient system of credit control is essential.

9. Production control methods are involved so as to ensure good material flows.

10. A fast production to minimize work in progress is adopted.

11. One area to be examined is whether there should be additional disclosures by market makers in interest.

12. Loans to be repaid over a period of one to four years are short-term loans.

Exercise 9. Complete sentences using Active or Passive form of the Infinitive.

1. The government announced plans (sell) a 49 per cent stake in 11 state-run businesses.

2. The EU held firm to a commitment (open) talks with Cyprus.

3. Factors (take) into account include the level of raw materials.

4. It is man’s ability (transmit) more complex messages by a variety of modes.

5. The amount of interest (pay) depends on the size and terms of borrowing.

6. The framework sets out the logic of the material (write).

Exercise 10. Replace the word(s) in italics with a word or phrase of similar meaning.

Example: Regarding the next consignment, we shall be forwarding our order later on this week.

With regard to the next consignment, we shall be forwarding our order later on this week.

1. We are quite prepared to accept immediate delivery.

2. We have never thought about extending our field of operations outside Europe.

3. We shall despatch the goods the moment we receive your cable.

4. They have delivered several quite large consignments to Ajax Ltd.

5. If you are prepared to grant us extended credit, we are prepared to double our monthly order.

6. At the moment we are not in a position to order more than the minimum quantity.

7. Perhaps the goods have been held up in the port.

8. We are sorry that the wrong size handles were sent in your last consignment and hasten to assure you that such errors are most infrequent.

9. We want to appoint an agent capable of covering all our products.

10. We think that it is a little early to start talking about signing a contract.

Exercise 11. Rewrite the following sentences using the words in brackets.

Example: We had an opportunity to buy the complete consignment. (opportunity of)

We had an opportunity of buying the complete consignment.

1. We wish to increase the amount of business we are doing with you. (interested in)

2. Please forward the goods with the minimum possible delay. (We should be obliged)

3. If you do not wish to sign an agreement just yet, we are quite prepared to wait a little longer. ( In the event)

4. The agents claim that the goods were held up at the customs. (According to)

5. We hope to receive your confirmation by return. (look forward to)

6. After calculating our exact requirements, we ordered the corresponding amount. (accordingly)

7. We enclose the contract, which we have signed as requested. (duly)

8. We trust that you have not been unduly inconvenienced. (undue)

Exercise 12. Combine the following pairs of sentences using the word(s) in brackets.

Example: We were willing to place an order. They could not deliver it on time. (but)

We were willing to place an order, but they could not deliver it on time.

1. We intend to spend the whole week in Paris. We wish to visit all our customers. (in order that)

2. We want to start exporting to East Africa. We wish to appoint an agent based in Nairobi. (We are interested in … and should like ….)

3. The quality of this consignment is very good. It is not quite so good as the last consignment. (though)

4. We have pleasure in enclosing a leaflet describing our P.11diesel. The P.11 has sold very well in South America. (which)

5. We have a very long waiting list for this model. We cannot guarantee delivery until next year. (such … that)

6. We shall have a stand at the fair. It will be quite a small one. (although)

7. They ordered five tons for immediate delivery. They promised to order another five before the end of October. (not only … but …)

8. The price is sure to rise next month. We have decided to place an order for six months’ supply. (As)

9. The samples of your summer cottons arrived very late. Most of our customers had already ordered from other suppliers. (so … that)

10. The engineer did not arrive until Monday. The machine could not be mounted ready for the opening of the trade fair. (with the result that)

Exercise 13. Rewrite the following using “in addition to”.

Example: Besides giving a discount on the order, we grant a special bonus for displays.

In addition to giving a discount on the order, we grant a special bonus for displays.

1. Besides the samples already shown, we have a number of more expensive fabrics that may interest you.

2. As well as having a branch office in most European capitals, we have agents covering every part of the continent.

3. Besides exporting our own paints, we export large quantities of titanium dioxide to foreign paint manufactures.

4. We make twenty different qualities of cotton velvet and we also make corduroy, velour and similar materials.

5. Besides the advertisements that will appear in the press, there will be spots on television three nights a week for a month.