Complex Subject

Субъектный инфинитивный оборот (сложное подлежащее) состоит из:

1. существительного в общем падеже или местоимения в именительном падеже и

2. глагола (обычно в страдательном залоге)+инфинитив

Оборот переводится на русский язык придаточными предложениями.

He is known to be a good engineer. Известно, что он хороший инженер.

He is said to have graduated from the University. Говорят, что он закончил университет.

The experiments were reported to be successful. Сообщили, что эксперименты были успешны.

В субъективном обороте могут употребляться глаголы:

To see видеть

To hear слышать

To say сказать

To expect ожидать, полагать

To think думать, полагать, считать

To report сообщать

To suppose предполагать

To believe полагать

To consider считать, полагать

To assume допускать

To know знать

Которые могут стоять в любом времени в страдательном залоге.

Неопределенно-личным предложениям русского языка в английском языке чаще всего соответствуют пассивные обороты, как например:

It is reported that… Сообщается, что…

It was supposed that… Предполагали, что…

Субъектный инфинитивный оборот употребляется также в сочетании с некоторыми глаголами, которые могут в действительном залоге, а именно с глаголами:

To prove, to appear, to seem казаться

To turn out оказаться

To happen случаться

This metal turned out to be very brittle Оказалось, что металл очень хрупкий.

The weather appeared to have improved. Казалось, что погода улучшилась.

Exercise 1. Translate these sentences:

1. The lathe is considered to be the most important machine tool.

2. The milling machine appears to be most universal machine tool.

3. Tungsten is believed to be the most hear resistant metal.

4. He was seen to come to work early.

5. You are supposed to be able to read English texts without a dictionary.

6. The carbon content in steel is assumed not to exceed standard values.

Exercise 2. Translate these sentences using Complex Subject:

Example: The domes seem to float above the building. Купола, (как) кажется, плывут над зданием.

1. London was said to be the cleanest city in Europe in the early 17^th century. 2. The building seems to work well. 3. Modern architecture appears to have no links with past styles. 4. Gothic architecture is assumed never to have become a natural manner to the Italians. 5. He is known to be designing schools. 6. Brunelleschi was believed to have been drawn towards ancient Rome for practical, engineering reasons. 7. The great garden front at Wilton House was thought to have been built by Inigo Jones. 8. This design is likely to win the top prize. 9. Leningrad proved to have been the first European capital to be built according to a preconceived plan and is known to have been subsequently developed according to clearly defined and progressively oriented town-planning principles. 10. The courtyard is thought to measure 8 m by 15 m.

Exercise 3. Choose and read aloud the sentences with: a) Complex Subject, b) Complex Object

1. He said he would try to get on the afternoon flight. 2. He is said to have established another record. 3. I’d like you to join us. 4. They are unlikely to get to the station in time. 5. I’m happy to meet you. 6. He saw Peter hand the papers to Mr. Bailey. 7. He was chosen a leader. 8. She was reported to be out of danger. 9. Teachers want pupils not to be late for classes. 10. The child was found sitting on the floor. 11. Many people saw him crossing the road in the wrong place. 12. He is certain to have kept the appointment. 13. I regret to say he thinks too much of himself. 14. Bill turned out to be a very good translator. 15. Everyone heard the assistant-manager apologize to him.

Exercise 4. Paraphrase the sentences using Complex Subject in them

E.g. They believed that he was working on the report.

He was believed to be working on the report.

They watched how the sum was rising.

The sun was watched rising.

1. They thought that Ted would stay with his friends.

2. They noticed how she was hiding things.

3. They expected him to come back tonight.

4. They heard him singing a beautiful song.

5. She thought he was a spoiled child.

6. They believe that you are a good worker.

7. They treated him as a child.

8. They said she was fast asleep.

9. They heard her playing the piano.

10. They elected him President.