GUIDE ENGLISH GRAMMAR BOOK

PAGE 147 119 The to-infinitive: purpose and result
118 The to-infinitive as subject and complement
1 We can sometimes use a to-infinitive clause as subject.
To defrost this fridge takes ages.
To turn down the invitation seems rude.
Not to take a holiday now and then is a great mistake.
But this pattern is not very usual. More often we use if as an 'empty subject'
referring forward to the infinitive clause. • 50(5)
It takes ages to defrost this fridge.
Would it seem rude to turn down the invitation?
It's a great mistake not to take a holiday now and then.
But we often use a gerund clause as subject. • 131(1)
Defrosting this fridge takes ages.
2 A to-infinitive clause can be a complement after be.
Melanie's ambition is to go to Australia.
The important thing is not to panic.
The idea was to surprise everybody.
NOTE For be to, e.g. Everyone is to attend, • 76.
119 The to-infinitive expressing purpose and
result
1 A to-infinitive clause can express purpose.
Laura has gone to town to do some shopping.
I'm writing to enquire about activity holidays.
To get a good seat, you need to arrive early.
For other ways of expressing purpose, • 252.
NOTE
a In informal British English we use the forms go and/come and rather than go to/come to.
I'll go and fetch a hammer. Come and have a look at this.
Americans say I'll go fetch a hammer.
b After going or coming we use a to-infinitive.
Mark is coining to look at the photos.
2 We can sometimes use a to-infinitive clause to express result, although this use is
rather literary.
Laura came home to find her house on fire.
He grew up to be a handsome young man.
The to-infinitive can express the idea of 'bad news' following 'good news'. We
often use only before the infinitive.
I found my keys only to lose them again.
Charles arrived for the concert (only) to find it had been cancelled.
3 An infinitive clause can also express a comment on the sentence.
To be frank, you didn't make a very good impression.
I'm a bit tired of sightseeing, to tell you the truth.