The compound verbal predicate.

The compound verbal predicate can be divided into two types according to the meaning of the finite verb:

(1) the compound verbal modal predicate;

(2) the compound verbal aspect predicate.¹

¹ It should be borne in mind that by ‘aspect’ we do not mean here the verbal category of aspect but the lexical meaning of certain verbs as denoting the beginning, the duration and the cessation of the action.

§ 16. The compound verbal modal predicate shows whether the action expressed by a non-finite form of the verb is considered as possible, impossible, obligatory, necessary, desirable, etc. These shades of meaning are expressed by the first component of the predicate.

The compound verbal modal predicate may consist of the following components:

1. A modal verb and an infinitive.

Here belong the combinations of such verbs as can, may, must, should, would, ought, dare, need with an infinitive.

You can prove everything and nothing. (London)

His aunt would not give him the photograph. (Hardy)

2. Modal expressions: to be + Infinitive, to have + Infinitive.

The loudspeaker operation was to take place in С. Company’s sector. (Heym)

I have to work for my living. (Jerome)

3. A verb with a modal meaning² and an infinitive or a gerund. Here belong such verbs as to hope, to expect, to intend, to attempt, to try, to endeavour, to long, to wish, to want, to desire, etc.

² Verbs with a modal meaning should not be confused with modal verbs as such, which in the English language form a special group of defective verbs (see Chapter VII, Modal Verbs)

He wanted to throw himself into the whirlpool of Paris. (Heym)

We intend going to Switzerland, and climbing Mount Blanc. (Ch. Bronte)

Of course she longs to have a ball in her honour. (Du Maurier)

Certainly I don’t mean to take advantage of my position. (Wilson)

Harris tried to open the tin with a pocket knife and broke the knife and cut

himself badly. (Jerome)

4. Modal expressions and an infinitive.

They are synonymous with modal verbs or verbs with a modal meaning. Here belong the combinations of such expessions as to be able, to be obliged, to be bound, to be willing, to be anxious, to be capable, to be going with an infinitive.

Baring had been obliged to forego making friends. (Wilson)

I am going to leave Paris. (Heym)

We are most anxious to cooperate. (Heym)

5. Verbs and expressions used in the predicate of sentences containing the Subjective Infinitive Construction (Nominative-with-the-Infinitive Construction).

These words and expressions show the attitude of the speaker towards the person or thing expressed by the subject.

A ship — the Vestris — is reported to be arriving at Joppa. (Douglas)

Сообщают, что корабль “Вестрис“ должен вскоре прибыть в Яффу.

About 4,000 port workers are believed to be on strike. (Daily Worker)

Предполагается, что бастует около четырех тысяч портовых рабочих.

Naturally all this had some chilling discouraging effect on him, but he

appeared not to hold it against her. (Wescott)

Естественно, что все это расхолаживало и обескураживало его, но он,

по-видимому, на нее за это не сердился.

Never mind who told me. I happen to know his car was seen here yesterday

afternoon. (Du Maurier)

Неважно, кто мне сказал. Просто я знаю, что его машину видели здесь

вчера днем.

Just at this moment you seem to be having difficulty with your left hand.

(Wilson)

Как раз сейчас у вас, кажется, что-то не в порядке с левой рукой.

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