The Infinitive in the function of Attribute

5.0. In the function of an Attr. INF is used to modify Nouns, Pronouns, Substantivized Numerals, Adjectives and Adverbs, and the Noun-substitute ‘one’. In this function INF always comes after its headword. Non-Perfect INF in this function has modal meaning, as it names events that haven’t happened yet. In the function of an Attribute INF is more typical in English than in Russian e.g. a person to be employed (=that can/must be employed), the story to be discussed (=that should/must be discussed), books to consult (=that can/must/should be consulted), etc. In English this use of INF is very common, but in Russian it can modify only abstract nouns, for example, мысль принести котенка в школу, задача вырастить здоровое поколение, etc.

· Attribute to N: After some abstract Ns that have derivational relation to verbs:

I have no wish to change. à I don’t wish to change. His refusal to cooperate irritated me. à It irritated me that refused to cooperate.

After Nouns that denote objects, people, events, time periods, etc. INF names events/actions that will happen to things or people, etc.:

I need a box to hold my chessmen. Have you got a key to unlock this safe? I found just the right cardto send her. That was a war to end all wars.

If the verb that is used in the form of INF requires a preposition to its Obj., the preposition is used in two ways:

(to play with smb.) – Mary needs a friend to play with. Mary needs a friend with whom to play.

(to clean a carpet with smth.) – I’m looking for something to clean a carpet with. I’m looking for something with which to clean a carpet.

Semantic relations between the Noun and INF used as an Attribute can vary:

- Subjective relations: the N denotes the doer (the Subj.) of the action of the INF or the bearer of the state – They were the only students to have come to the exhibition on Saturday.

- Objective relations: the N denotes the object of the action of the INF – I gave her a comic to read. Can you give me some work to do? Is there any milk to put on the cornflakes? NOTE: You cannot put any object after INF - *I gave her a comic to read it. *Can you give me some work to do it?

- Adverbial relations: if the head N denotes time, place or manner of the event named by the INF – You will need a place to live in (adverbial meaning of place = You will need a place where you can live). This is not the way to talk to your teacher (adverbial meaning of manner = This is not the way how you should talk to your teacher).

· Attribute to Pron. (indefinite, negative and universal Pron., ending in -body, -one, and –thing: someone, somebody, everybody, nobody, something, everything, etc.). Is there anybody to speak to about my problem? I have got nothing to write with.

· Attribute to Num. (ordinal, especially the first) and substantivized Adj. (next, last) – Lyonell was the next to enter the door. Who is the first to answer?

· Attribute to substantivized Adverbs much, little, (no) more, (no) less, little more, enough. – They had enough to take to the picnic.

· Attribute to the noun-substitute ‘one’ – I’m the one to run the house, not Bob.