Дипломная работа: Syntax and semantics of verbals in English
The verbal noun may be used in the plural.
Our likings are regulated by our circumstances. (Ch. Bronte)
The gerund of a transitive verb takes a direct object.
He received more and more letters, so many that he had given up reading them. (Priestley)
A verbal noun cannot take a direct object; it takes a prepositional object with the preposition of.
Meanwhile Gwendolen was rallying her nerves to the reading of the paper. (Eliot)
The gerund may be modified by an adverb.
Drinking, even temperately, was a sin. (Dreiser)
The verbal noun may be modified by an adjective.
He (Tom) took a good scolding about clodding Sid. (Twain )
Chapter 2 Syntax and Semantics of English Verbals
2.2.1 The Functions of the Infinitive in the Sentence
The infinitive can be used in different syntactic functions. A single infinitive occurs but seldom: in most cases we find an infinitive phrase, i.e. an infinitive with one or several accompanying words.
The infinitive as a subject.
To doubt, under the circumstances, is almost to insult. (Ch. Bronte)
Сомневаться при таких обстоятельствах — это почти означает нанести оскорбление.
То acquire knowledge and to acquire it unceasingly, is the first duty of the artist. (Thurston)
Приобретать знания, и приобретать их непрерывно, — вот первый долг художника.
From these examples we can see that the infinitive as a subject can be rendered in Russian by an infinitive, by a noun, or by a clause.
Though the infinitive as the subject sometimes precedes the predicate, cases when it follows the predicate are far more common; with the infinitive in the latter position, the sentence opens with the introductory it, which serves as an introductory subject. The introductory it is not translated into Russian.[17]
It is useless to discuss the question. (Eliot)
Бесполезно обсуждать этот вопрос.
It was pleasant to be driving a car again. (Braine)
Было приятно снова вести машину.
The infinitive as a predicative.
My intention is to get into parliament. (Trollope)
Моя цель — пройти в парламент.
The infinitive can also be used as part of a predicative.
The abode of Mrs. Betty was not easy to find. (Dickens)
Жилище миссис Бетти было нелегко найти.
The infinitive as part of a compound verbal predicate.