THE COMPLEX SUBJECT
(the Nominative-with-the-lnfinitive)
The Complex Subjectconsists of a noun/pronoun(in the nominative case) and the infinitive.It is considered to be the subject of the sentence, its Russian equivalent is in most cases a subordinate clause.
Laseris known to be usedin medicine.
Известно, что лазер широко используется в медицине.
The Complex Subject is used with:
1. the following groups of verbs in the Passive:
· denoting sense perception: to see, to hear, to notice, etc
The car was seen to disappear in the distance.
Видели, как машина скрылась вдали.
She was heard to laughheartily.
Слышно было, как она весело смеялась.
· denoting mental activity: to think, to consider, to believe, to expect, to suppose, to know, etc.
He was thought to be honest and kind.
Его считали честным и добрым человеком. (Считали, что он…)
· the verbs: to say, to report, to order, to ask, to allow, to state, to announce.
She is said to be working in a bank.
Говорят, что она сейчас работает в банке.
The delegation is reported to have arrived.
Сообщается, что делегация уже прибыла.
2. word groups: to be likely (вероятно), to be unlikely (маловероятно, вряд ли), to be certain/to be sure (несомненно, обязательно, бесспорно, непременно).
3. pairs of synonyms: to see/to appear (казаться, по-видимому), to prove/to turn out (оказывается), to happen/to chance
(случаться).
Neqative forms:
don'tseem
doesn'tprove + infinitive
didn'thappen
is/are notlikely + infinitive
He doesn’t seem to knowthis subject.
Он,кажется,не знает этого предмета.
He didn’t prove to bea very experienced doctor.
Он оказался не очень опытным доктором.
He didn’t happen to bethere at that time.
Случилось так, что его не было там в это время.
He is not likely to cometoday.
Он, вероятно, не придет сегодня.
Notes:
1. The Infinitive in the Complex Subject is used in all its forms and expresses:
a) a simultaneous action
He is said to livein London.
Говорят, что он живетв Лондоне.
b) an action in progress
The water seems to be boiling.
Кажется, вода кипит.
c) an action prior to the action expressed by the finite verb
They are reported to have finishedthe construction.
Сообщают, что они уже закончили строительство.
2. The infinitive in sentences with the Complex Subject cannot refer to the future except with the verbs and word-groups: to expect, to be sure/certain, to be likely.
We are sureto come to the heart of the matter
Мы обязательно доберемся до сути дела.
He is expectedto give us an answer tomorrow.
Ожидают, что ондаст нам ответ завтра.
3. If the verbs to prove, to seem/to appear (выглядеть, производить впечатление) are followed by adjectives or nouns, the verb to be after them can be omitted.
She proved(to be) very clever.
Она казалась очень умной.
He seems ill.
Он выглядит больным.
He appears an experiencedteacher.
Он производит впечатление опытного преподавателя.
Compare:
He seems ill.
Он выглядит больным.
He seems to be ill.
Он, кажется, болен.
After the verbs in the Passive Voice the Complex Subject is more characteristic of a literary than a colloquial style, except with the verbs to suppose, to expect, to make.