§ 198. The infinitive as adverbial modifier of comparison is

also structurally dependent. It is preceded by than and modifies a predicate group containing the comparative degree of an adjective or adverb. The infinitive is generally used with the particle to, though sometimes it may be found without it.

e.g. She seemed more anxious to listen to the troubles of others than to discuss her own.

I should have known better than to expect to find it.

Damn it, I've got more important things to do than look at the sea.

This function is not of frequent occurrence.

§ 199. The infinitive (with to) may serve as an adverbial modi- fier of condition. In this case it expresses a condition under which the action of the predicate verb can be realized. The predicate verb is, as a rule, used in the form of the Conditional Mood.

e.g. To hear him talk, you would think he was a celebrity.

"He is a popular singer," Monica said. "You wouldn't believe

it, to look at him," remarked Teddy. The infinitive in this function is not frequent either.

§ 200. The infinitive as adverbial modifier of exception denotes the only possible action that can be performed under the circum- stances. The use of this infinitive is structurally dependent — it is preceded by except or but and is generally used in negative or in- terrogative sentences (after nothing could be done..., he could do nothing..., what could he do..., he could not help... and the like). The infinitive is, as a rule, used without to.

e.g. We care for each other and there is nothing to be done about

it, except tell you the truth. There was nothing to do but escape. At nineteen minutes to six — I could not help but watch the

clock — the telephone buzzed. What could he do but smile?

The use of the particle to is an exception.

e.g. Daniel held out his arm to her. She had no choice but to obey. The infinitive of exception is infrequent.

§ 201. The infinitive may also serve as adverbial modifier of an adjective. In this case it is always an adverbial modifier of consequence. The infinitive here has the particle to.

The infinitive of consequence is not lexically dependent — it can modify any adjective. But it is dependent structurally as it can be used only in the following cases:

1) With adjectives modified by enough, which are, as a rule, predicatives in the sentence.

e.g. He was old enough to be her father.

I can't think who'd be stupid enough to side with you.

I hope he's sensible enough to agree to their proposal.

I had known him as a doctor, but was not old enough to have

known him as a friend. I was young enough for the children not to feel shy and they

chattered merrily about one thing and another.

As is seen from the above examples, the action of the in- finitive is made possible owing to the sufficient degree of the Quality expressed by the adjective.

Note. The infinitive can also serve as an adverbial modifier of consequence of an adverb modified by enough. e.g. I wish I knew him well enough to judge.

2) With adjectives in the sentence pattern containing the cor- relative conjunction so ... as.

e.g. He was so fortunate as to escape.

If you are so stupid as to lend him your car you must expect

it to be damaged.

It should be noted that sentences of the following kind have be- come polite formulas to express requests:

e.g. Would you be so good as to answer the telephone if it rings? Would you be so kind as to send us your catalogues? The infinitive in the sentence pattern with the correlative con- junction so ... as is not of frequent occurrence.

3) With adjectives preceded by too. The adjectives are generally predicatives in the sentence, e.g. Everyone seemed to be talking, but I was too shy to take part

in the conversation.

You're too young to start giving up your plans. She told me she was too tired to go out. He was too embarrassed for us to ask him about anything.

The action of the infinitive is made impossible owing to the excessive degree of the quality expressed by the adjective.

Note. The infinitive can also serve as an adverbial modifier of consequence of an adverb preceded by too. e.g. He liked her too much to cause her any trouble.

(For comparison with the ing-form see §§ 223-225.)

§ 202. The subject of the infinitive in all the above described adverbial functions is the same person or thing as denoted by the subject of the sentence (see the examples above). But the infinitive may also have a subject of its own with which it forms the so- called absolute construction.

The absolute construction with the infinitive is introduced by the preposition with. The infinitive is used with the particle to.

The absolute construction has the function of adverbial modi- fier of attending circumstances in the sentence.

e.g. It was a quiet house now, with only his secretary to see to

his meals and to take care of his business affairs. Miss Heythorp is below, Sir, with a carriage to take you home.

As is seen from the above examples, there are two parallel ac- tions in this sentence pattern: one of them is expressed by the predicate verb, the other by the infinitive. Each action has its own subject.

The infinitive absolute construction is infrequent and found only in literary style.

(For comparison with the ing-form see § 226.)

The Infinitive as Attribute