The Use of the Infinitive The Infinitive as Subject

§ 181. In this function the infinitive is always used with the
particle to and usually expresses an action following the action
denoted by the predicate verb.

e.g. To fulfil this condition was hopelessly out of my power.
To visit her was all that I desired.

The infinitive as subject may also express actions which are si-
multaneous with the action of the predicate verb,
e.g. To visit her is always a pleasure.

The infinitive often acquires the additional modal meaning of
condition in this function. This meaning is generally supported by
the use of the Conditional Mood in the sentence,
e.g. To take money from him would be like robbing a child (=if

you took money from him...).

To take him seriously would be absurd (= if you took him se-
riously...)-

For the means of expressing the subject of the action denoted
by the infinitive see "Verbs", § 166.

Sentences with the infinitive as subject have certain structural
peculiarities:

a) The infinitive as subject may be used only in declarative sen-
tences; it is never used in interrogative sentences.

b) The infinitive is always placed at the head of the sentence; it
is never preceded by any secondary parts.

c) We generally find the nominal predicate in sentences of this
kind. The predicative is usually expressed by a noun or an adjec-
tive, qualifying the action denoted by the infinitive.

e.g. To go with him to picture galleries was a rare treat.
To do it seemed a proper and natural thing.
Not to go back was awful.

Sometimes another infinitive is used as predicative,
e.g. To influence a person is to give him one's thoughts.

The use of the infinitive as subject is mainly found in literary
English but even there it is infrequent.

(For comparison with the ing-form see §§ 209 and 235.)

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