The Objective-with-the-Infinitive construction

The Objective-with-the-Infinitive construction is a construction in which the Infinitive is in predicate relation to a noun in the Common Case or to a pronoun in the Objective case.

I saw him cross the street.
Я видел, как он переходил улицу.

It performs the function of a Complex Object in the sentence.

This construction can be used after the following categories of verbs:

• Verbs of sense perception - to see, to hear, to watch, to notice, to observe, etc.

  It was considered a good omen if a warrior saw a raven follow him.
  Считалось хорошим предзнаменованием, если видел, что вороны следуют за ним.

  The bare Infinitive is used here.

  Notes:

  • The construction is not used after the verb to see used in the meaning of understand.

    I saw that she did not understand the rule and explained it again.
    Я видел, что она не поняла правила и объяснил его снова.

  • The construction is not used after the verb to hear used in the meaning to be aware of something.

    I hear that your brother has got married.
    Я слышал, что твой брат женился.

  • When the meaning is passive, Participle II in the Objective Participial construction is usually used.

    I saw his camera broken by the policeman.
    Я видел, как его камеру разбил полицейский.

• Verbs of mental activity - to consider, to expect, to mean, to think, to believe, to presume, etc.

  The Turkish garrison of Azov expected the Russians to return after their previous failure.

  Note: After the verbs to consider, to find the verb to be can be omitted.

  I consider him (to be) a first rate programmer.
  Я считаю, что он отличный программист.

  I find him (to be) pretty.
  Я нахожу его симпатичным.

• Verbs denoting wish - to want, to wish, to desire, would like, etc.

  I want you to do it at once.
  Я хочу, чтобы ты сделал это сейчас же.

  Note: When the meaning is passive, Participle II in the Objective Participial construction is usually used.

  The captain wants the ship unloaded at once.
  Капитан хотел, чтобы судно разгрузили немедленно.

• Verbs of compulsion - to order, to make, to force, to compel, to cause in the meaning of заставлять, требовать, to bid (bade, bidden), etc.

  Peter ordered a ship from Holland to be delivered to Archangel next summer.
  Петр приказал, чтобы корабль был доставлен из Голандии в Архангельск следующим летом.

• Verbs of allowance – to allow, to permit, to let, etc.

  She allowed our luggage to be left at her place.
  Она разрешила, чтобы наш багаж оставили у нее дома.

• Verbs of declarance - to declare, to announce, to proclaim, etc.

  She declared him to be the most disobedient child in the world.
  Она сказала ему, что он самый непослушный ребенок в мире.

• Verbs expressing feelings and emotions - to like, to love, to dislike, to hate, cannot stand, etc.

  I hate people to be late.
  Ненавижу, когда опаздывают.

This article in Russian