Infinitive dependent on a noun

Level 5

In Czech, certain abstract nouns (like možnost, právo, schopnost) can be directly followed by an infinitive. This infinitive acts as an attribute describing what the noun entails.

How It Works

1. Which Nouns Trigger It?
You cannot attach an infinitive to just any noun (unlike the English "a book to read", which in Czech requires a relative clause like kniha, kterou si přečtu or a prepositional phrase like kniha ke čtení). It strictly attaches to abstract nouns expressing modality, will, permission, prohibition, psychological states, communication, as well as time, circumstance, or reason. Common triggers include: možnost (possibility), právo (right), povinnost (duty), snaha (effort), schopnost (ability), zvyk (habit), chuť (desire/appetite), úkol (task), čas (time), důvod (reason), and příležitost (opportunity).

2. Predictability (The Derivation Rule)
You do not have to memorize these nouns blindly. Most trigger nouns are derived from verbs or adjectives that already take an infinitive. If you know the base word, you can usually predict the noun's behavior. For example:

  • zakázat (to forbid) → zákaz (prohibition)
  • rozhodnout se (to decide) → rozhodnutí (decision)
  • schopen (able) → schopnost (ability)

3. Syntactic Behavior
While the infinitive must follow the governing noun, it does not have to be strictly adjacent. It can be separated by clitics (e.g., možnost se odvolat), adverbs, or prepositional phrases. Because it retains its verbal valency, it can take direct objects or reflexive pronouns.

4. Register and Usage
This structure is highly frequent and neutral. It is especially prominent in formal, academic, and administrative texts due to its conciseness and objective tone, but it is completely natural in everyday spoken Czech (e.g., mám chuť jít do kina - I feel like going to the movies).

5. Key Distinctions

  • Vs. Subordinate Clauses: A clause with a finite verb explicitly states the subject (možnost, že se odvolá - the possibility that he will appeal). For trigger nouns expressing will, commands, or appeals (e.g., příkaz, zákaz, snaha), the equivalent subordinate clause must use aby instead of že (e.g., dal mu příkaz, aby odešel - he gave him an order to leave). While the infinitive often implies a shared subject with the main clause, it can also be controlled by an object (e.g., dal mu příkaz odejít - he gave him an order to leave) or have a general, unspecified subject (e.g., je čas jít - it is time to go). Furthermore, restrictive infinitive attributes are usually not separated by a comma (unless acting as a loose afterthought or apposition), whereas equivalent subordinate clauses must be (e.g., Rozhodnutí odejít bylo těžké. vs. Rozhodnutí, že odejde, bylo těžké.).
  • Vs. Verbal Nouns: A verbal noun takes adjectival modifiers and noun objects in the genitive case (e.g., možnost rychlého odvolání), whereas the infinitive retains its verbal nature and takes adverbs and direct objects in the accusative or dative (e.g., možnost rychle se odvolat). Note that some nouns can alternatively take a preposition plus a verbal noun (e.g., důvod plakat vs. důvod k pláči).
  • Vs. Purpose Infinitive: A purpose infinitive modifies a verb of motion (e.g., šel tam nakoupit), not a noun.

Examples (5)

  1. Každý má právo nahlížet do spisu.

    Everyone has the right to inspect the file.

    Word by Word: Everyone has right to-inspect into file.

    A formal/legal example where the infinitive 'nahlížet' modifies the abstract noun 'právo'.

  2. Měli jsme možnost odvolat se.

    We had the opportunity to appeal.

    Word by Word: Had we opportunity to-appeal oneself.

    The infinitive retains its verbal valency, keeping its reflexive pronoun 'se'.

  3. Věřil v její schopnost unést pravdu.

    He believed in her ability to handle the truth.

    Word by Word: Believed in her ability to-carry truth.

    The infinitive 'unést' takes its own direct object ('pravdu') while modifying 'schopnost'.

  4. Mám chuť jít dnes večer do kina.

    I feel like going to the movies tonight.

    Word by Word: Have-I appetite to-go today evening to cinema.

    A highly common everyday usage modifying the noun 'chuť' (desire/appetite).

  5. Jeho snaha pomoci všem byla obdivuhodná.

    His effort to help everyone was admirable.

    Word by Word: His effort to-help everyone was admirable.

    The infinitive 'pomoci' acts as an attribute to the deverbal noun 'snaha'.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding a comma before the infinitive.

    Měl možnost, odvolat se.
    Měl možnost odvolat se.

    When an infinitive functions as a tight (restrictive) attribute modifying a noun, it must NOT be separated by a comma. Commas are only used if the infinitive acts as a loose afterthought or apposition. This is a frequent punctuation error even among native speakers.

  • Inserting a preposition before the infinitive.

    Měl příležitost pro studovat v zahraničí.
    Měl příležitost studovat v zahraničí.

    Unlike English (e.g., 'opportunity for studying'), Czech strictly forbids prepositions before the infinitive in this pattern.

  • Using an infinitive to express purpose after a concrete noun.

    Koupil jsem knihu číst.
    Koupil jsem knihu ke čtení.

    You cannot attach an infinitive to concrete nouns like 'kniha' to express purpose. You must use a prepositional phrase with a verbal noun (ke čtení) or a relative clause.

How It Connects

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Infinitive dependent on a nounLevel 5

Learn This First

To understand how an infinitive can depend on a noun, a learner must first be familiar with abstract nouns (which typically govern these infinitives) and the basic use of the infinitive form in Czech. Knowledge of noun gender is also necessary to identify the governing words.

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