Complex Subject
Noun/Pronoun + Predicate +
Infinitive
The combination of a noun in the common case (or a pronoun in the nominative case) and an infinitive forms a complex subject (1).The predicate which is usually expressed by a verb in the passive voice is placed between the noun and the infinitive. The relation between the noun and the infinitive is that of subject and predicate.
Note 1: - According to another interpretation the subject is expressed by a noun or pronoun and the infinitive is regarded as a part of the predicate.
Key examples:
- He is said to be a good teacher.
- The boy is known to have passed his exams well.
The predicate in sentences with a complex subject can be expressed by:
1. The same verbs that can be followed by a complex object (that is verbs of sense perception: to see, to hear…, verbs of mental activity: to know, to suppose…; verbs of inducement: to order, to cause, to allow…,). The verbs are used in the passive voice.
Patterns. Read and memorize!
- He was supposed to bring this book from London. (Predicate is underlined.)
- They are heard to have come from the South.
- They were seen to go home together. This article is expected to be published next month.
2. verbs of saying: to say, to report, to announce... in the passive voice.
Patterns. Read and memorize!
- The building of the new hostel is reported to be over.
- He was said to be writing a new play.
3. the verbs to seem, to appear, to prove, to happen, to turn out, to chance in the active voice.
- The telephone happened to be out of order.
- The young man proved to know everybody.
- The house seems to have been damaged by the earthquake.
- They are likely to return on Sunday.
- Their team is certain to win. / Their team is bound to win.
- He is sure to miss this train.
- This house is likely to have been built many centuries ago.
Note. – As part of a complex subject the infinitive is always used with the particle to.