Основы теории английского языка. Листунова Е.И. - 105 стр.

      • The Modal Compound Verbal Predicate
      The modal compound verbal predicate consists of an infinitive
or gerund combined with a verb in the finite form which expresses
that the action denoted by the infinitive or gerund is considered as
obligatory, desirable, doubtful, etc.
      There are the following types of modal compound verbal predicates:
      1. A modal (defective) verb or a modal verb equivalent (to have
and to be) combined with the infinitive (a subjective infinitive):
      He could hear two persons talking in the pantry (Joyce). He
knew, he must go (Lawrence). You need not pain yourself by entering
into that part of the story (Doyle). ...I might give a little dinner next
week — just for you and Denny and Hope (Cronin). She was to arrive
by train at half past twelve... (Galsworthy).
      Also with phraseological units (grou’p-verbs):
      ...And if you like you shall have another walk with me after
breakfast (Meredith).
      2. One of the following verbs which do not denote actions but
express various modal meanings (intention, determination, attempt,
desire, hope, etc) combined with the infinitive (a subjective infini-
tive): to intend, to resolve, to decide, to plan, to mean, to desire, to
attempt, to try, to endeavour, to fail, to strive, to seek, to hope, to long,
to expect, to wish, to want, etc.
      The verbs to intend and to try may also be combined with the gerund.
      The combination cannot (can’t) help + gerund also forms a
compound verbal predicate:
      ...I was trying to learn German... (Maugham). He longed to
recall to her those moments... (Joyce). When he went out on his
round she attempted to go on with her work in the house (Cronin).
He did not want to speak, not to anyone (Lawrence). His bumpy
landlady never failed to favour me with a little conversation (Galswor-
thy). I couldn’t help smiling (Maugham).
      Also with phraseological units (group-verbs):
      So you intend to have another ride to-day? (Meredith).
      3. Combinations of a link-verb with a predicative (adjective or
partici ple) which have no independent lexical meaning and do not
give the subject any qualitative characteristic but only i m-part various
modal meanings (obligation, readiness, ability, etc) to the action
expressed by the infinitive with which they are associated: to be
obliged, to be compelled, to be Inclined, to be eager, to be anxious, to
be ready, to be glad (= ready), to be able, to be unable, etc.:

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