Читать книгу English Grammar for University Students. Part 4 - Марина Воловикова, М. Г. Науменко - Страница 7

The Objective Infinitive Construction is a construction in which the Infinitive (usually the Infinitive phrase) is in predicate relation to a noun in the common case or a pronoun in the objective case.

The Objective Infinitive Construction is used as a complex object in the following cases:

1. After verbs of sense perception (to see, to hear, to feel, to watch, to feel, to observe, to notice and some others). Only Indefinite Infinitive without the particle ‘to’ is used in this case.

We did not see her enter the room.

They watched me cross the street.

Note: If the verb to see or to notice is used with the meaning to understand, or the verb to hear with the meaning to learn, the Objective Infinitive Construction cannot be used. Here only subordinate object clause is possible.

I saw that they had nothing to say to me (Я понял, что…).

I hear your brother has returned from vacation (Я слышал, что…).

2. After verbs of mental activity(to know, to think, to believe, to consider, to suppose, to expect, to understand, to find and some others).

I expect the goods to be loaded immediately

He considers this question (to be) of great importance.

We found the breakfast she had cooked to taste very good.

3. After verbs denoting feelings and emotion (to like, to dislike, to love, to hate, and some others).