Infinitive

One of the prominent difficulties of the English language is to know whether to use
gerund (i.e. seeing) or an infinitive (i.e. to see). If you want to speak correct and
natural English, you must know about the usages of gerunds and infinitives.

Gerunds Infinitives
Some verbs are always followed by some verbs are always followed by
gerunds infinitives
I enjoy running. I need to run.
Some verbs can be followed by a
or an infinitive
gerund
I like running. I like to run.
In the following lesson we will look at infinitives and its types
In traditional descriptions of English, the infinitive is the basic dictionary form of
a verb when used non-finitely, with or without the particle to. Thus ‘to go’ is an
infinitive, as is ‘go’ in a sentence like "I must go there" (but not in "I go there",
where it is a finite verb).

Definition:
The Infinitive is the basic form of the verb.
The base form of the verb is called infinitive. “OR “the verb without (s, es, ies, ed
and d) is called infinitive. (Watch, see, swim, write, teach, play, pray, fix etc.).
In traditional descriptions of English, the infinitive is the basic dictionary form of
a verb when used non-finitely, with or without the particle to. Thus ‘to go’ is an
infinitive, as is ‘go’ in a sentence like "I must go there" (but not in "I go there",
where it is a finite verb).

Types of Infinitive:
An infinitive can be a to-infinitive or bare infinitive (without to). So we can
classify them as follows.
1. Bare infinitive
2. Full infinitive
3. Split infinitive

1. Bare infinitive:
The word ‘to’ is frequently used with an infinitive, but when an infinitive is used
without ‘to’ it is called bare infinitive (sometimes called zero infinitive).
The bare infinitive after modal auxiliaries
Examples

 She can't speak to you.

 He should give her some money.
 Shall I talk to him?
 Would you like a cup of coffee?
 I might stay another night in the hotel.
 They must leave before 10.00 a.m.

Bare infinitive is used after would rather, had better etc.

 You had better leave earlier.

 We would rather wait.
 We had better take some warm clothing.
 She had better ask him not to come.
 We had better reserve a room in the hotel.
 You'd better give me your address.
 They had better work harder on their homework.

The bare infinitive after verbs of perception

With verbs of perception, the pattern is verb + object + zero infinitive.

Examples

 He saw her fall from the cliff.

 We heard them close the door.
 They saw us walk toward the lake.
 She felt the spider crawl up her leg.

The bare infinitive after the verbs 'make' and 'let'

Examples

 Her parents let her stay out late.

 Let's go to the cinema tonight.
 You made me come with you.
 Don't make me study that boring grammar book!

The bare infinitive with "why"

The question word why is followed by the zero infinitive when making
suggestions.

Examples

 Why wait until tomorrow?

 Why not ask him now?
 Why leave before the end of the game?
 Why walk when we can go in the car?
 Why not buy a new bed?

2. Full Infinitive:
When an infinitive is used with the word to, ‘to + infinitive’ is called full infinitive.
To + infinitive = full infinitive.
Uses of Full Infinitives:
Full infinitives can function as
i. a noun (subject/object/complement)
ii. an adjective or
iii. an adverb in a sentence.

A) As Subject
To call after all difficulties doesn’t seem worthwhile.
(‘To call’ is the action that drives the sentence)

To be or not to be, that is the question.

To know her is to love her.

To visit the Grand Canyon is my life-long dream.

To understand statistics, that is our aim.

B) Direct Object
They all want to go.
(‘To go’ is the direct object which can be the substitute of a noun that receives the
action of the verb in the sentence)

Verbs that take full infinitive

Here are some common verbs which you must follow with the infinitive (“to do”):

afford, agree, appear, ask, attempt, beg, choose, decide, deserve, expect,
forget, help, hope, intend, offer, plan, promise, refuse. threaten, want,
wish.

Some of the verbs above can also be followed with

 an object and an infinitive:

ask someone to do
beg someone to do
choose someone to do
expect someone to do
want someone to do

These verbs are followed by an object and an infinitive:

advise, allow, encourage, force, forbid, invite, order, permit, persuade,

teach, tell, warn.

Some verbs, such as continue, begin and start can be followed with the infinitive
or gerund with no change in meaning.

C) Subject Complement
The purpose is to win.
(‘To win’ is the subject complement. A Subject complement looks like a direct
object)
D) Adjective
He wasn’t allowed to participate.
(‘To participate’ modifies allowed, it describes what type of allowance is being
discussed, so the phrase serves as an adjective)
E) Adverb
He nominated his name in the team to try to practice hard.
(‘To try to practice hard’ explains why the nominating of his name happened, so
it’s an adverb modifying the verb nominated)

Forms of Full Infinitives:

When we use full infinitive we are usually referring to the present infinitive, there
are, however, four other forms of the full infinitive:

i) The perfect Infinitive

(“to have + 3rd of the verb” mostly found in conditional type 3).
They excused to have played the match.
ii) The perfect Continuous Infinitive
(“to have been + verb+ ing” is used to express a continuing but now completed
action).
They must have been working for hours.
iii) The continuous Infinitive
(“to be + verb + ing” is used to express a continuing action after a verb or auxiliary
which must be followed by the infinitive).
You must be kidding.
iv) The passive Infinitive
(“to be + 3rd of the verb” is used in some constructions using the passive voice. It
is particularly common after auxiliary verbs may, should, could, etc.).
We are hoping to be given one more chance.

3. Split Infinitives
When you place an adverb or adverbial phrase between the ‘to’ and the verb and
split the infinitive from ‘to’ is called split infinitive.
To carefully walk, to boldly go, to seriously play etc.

The coach urged the players to seriously play and win the match.
The teacher told us to quickly complete the assignment.
 We are here to persuasively teach infinitives and its types......

Negative infinitive

The negative infinitive is formed by putting not in front of any form of the
infinitive.

Examples

 I decided not to go to London.

 He asked me not to be late.
 I'd like you not to sing so loudly.
 I'd rather not eat meat.
 I might not come.

Functions of full infinitive

The to-infinitive is used in many sentence constructions, often expressing the

purpose of something or someone's opinion about something. The to-infinitive is
used following a large collection of different verbs as well.

The to-infinitive to indicate the purpose or intention of an action

In this case to has the same meaning as in order to or so as to.

Examples

 She came to collect her pay cheque.

 The three bears went to find firewood.
 I am calling to ask you about dad.
 Your sister has gone to finish her homework.

Infinitive of purpose

We also use the to-infinitive to express purpose (to answer why?):

 He bought some flowers to give to his wife.
He locked the door to keep everyone out.

We can also express purpose with in order to and in order not to:

We started our journey early in order to avoid the traffic.

They spoke quietly in order not to wake the children.

He studied hard to pass the exam. (“He studied hard in order to pass the exam.”)

or so as to and so as not to:

We started our journey early so as to avoid the traffic.

They spoke quietly so as not to wake the children.

To do / for + ing

When you talk about how you use something (often on a particular occasion), use
the “to do” form.

“Use these scissors to cut this paper.”

“Here – use this bowl to put the sugar in.”

When you talk about the general purpose of an object, use for + ing.

“These scissors are for cutting material.”

“We use the other remote for changing channels.”

The to-infinitive to indicate what something can/will be used for

In this pattern, the to-infinitive follows a noun or pronoun.

Examples

 The children need a garden to play in.

 I would like a sandwich to eat.
 I don't have anything to wear.
 Would you like something to drink?

Nouns with to-infinitives

We use the to-infinitive as a post-modifier after abstract nouns like:

ability desire opportunity

attempt failure refusal
chance need wish

They gave him an opportunity to escape.

He was annoyed by her refusal to answer.
I have no desire to be rich.
There is no need to shout.

We often use the to-infinitive as a post-modifier after indefinite pronouns:

When I am travelling I always take something to read.

I was all alone. I had no one to talk to.
There is hardly anything to do in most of these small towns.

The to-infinitive after adjectives

Adjectives with to-infinitives

We use the to-infinitive after certain adjectives:

able due likely prepared

unable eager unlikely willing
anxious keen ready unwilling

Unfortunately, I was unable to work for over a week.

I'm really tired. I'm ready to go to bed.
Sometimes the to-infinitive gives a reason for the adjective:

amazed glad proud sorry

delighted happy relieved surprised
disappointed pleased sad unhappy

We were happy to come to the end of our journey.

(= We were happy because we had come to the end of our journey.)
John was surprised to see me.
(= He was surprised because he saw me.)

There is a common pattern using the to-infinitive with an adjective. These phrases
are formed:
subject + to be + adjective + (for/of someone) + to-infinitive + (rest of
sentence)

(+ for/of + to-
Subject + to be + adjective (+ rest of sentence)
someone) infinitive
It is good   to talk.  
It is good of you to talk to me.
It is important   to be patient.  
with his little
It is important for Jake to be patient
brother.
I am happy   to be here.
The dog is naughty   to destroy our couch.

We use the to-infinitive with these adjectives to give opinions about people:

clever kind right silly

foolish nice wrong  

She was right to complain about that hotel.

You were clever to find the answer so quickly.

We use the preposition for to show who these adjectives refer to:
 It was difficult for us to hear what she was saying.
It is easy for you to criticise other people.

With the other adjectives, we use the preposition of:

It's kind of you to help.

It would be silly of him to spend all his money.

The to-infinitive to make a comment or judgement

To use the to-infinitive when making a comment or judgement about a noun, the
pattern is:
Subject + to be + noun phrase + to-infinitive

Subject + to be + noun phrase + to-infinitive

It was a stupid place to park.
That is a dangerous way to behave.
What you said was a rude thing to say.
This is the right thing to do.
Those were the wrong kind of eggs to buy.
Jim is the best person to hire.
The to-infinitive with adverbs too and enough

The to-infinitive is used frequently with the adverbs too and enough to express the
reasoning behind our satisfaction or dissatisfaction. The pattern is that too and
enough are placed before or after the adjective, adverb, or noun that they modify.

Examples

 There's too much sugar to put in this bowl.

 I had too many books to carry.
 This soup is too hot to eat.
  She was too tired to work.
 He arrived too late to see the actors.
 I've had enough food to eat.
 She's old enough to make up her own mind.
 There isn't enough snow to ski on.
 You're not old enough to have grand-children!

The to-infinitive with question words

The verbs ask, decide, explain, forget, know, show, tell, & understand can be
followed by a question word such as where, how, what, who, & when + the to-
infinitive.

Examples

 She asked me how to use the washing machine.

 Do you understand what to do?
 Tell me when to press the button.
 I've forgotten where to put this little screw.
 I'm not sure I know who to call.

Exercise

Infinitive with / without to

Choose the correct form (infinitive with or without to).

1. I can (speak) English.

2. We have (do) our homework.
3. You must (stay) at home.
4. I will (help) you.
5. He cannot (see) us.
6. My little sister learns (speak).
7. They want (go) to the cinema.
 8. You should (ask) your parents.
9. I'd like (have) a dog.
10.May we (come) in?

Answers

Infinitive with / without to

Choose the correct form (infinitive with or without to).

1. I can speak English.

2. We have to do our homework.
3. You must stay at home.
4. I will help you.
5. He cannot see us.
6. My little sister learns to speak.
7. They want to go to the cinema.
8. You should ask your parents.
9. I'd like to have a dog.
10.May we come in?