Lesson 07:

A) Infinitive Clauses

What is an Infinitive Clause?

Infinitive clauses (also called to-infinitive or infinitival clauses) are a group of words that contain
an infinitive (to + base form of verbs) as its main verb form. It is divided into four types, as
follows:

1) - Basic: Any subordinate clause whose verb is in "to-infinitive" form is a to-infinitive clause:

 If you want to make me happy, buy me flowers.

 To play, the children need a room.

2) - Perfect: To + have + past participle. We use this structure to show something has happened
in the time preceding.

 The boy was lucky to have passed these tests before.

 I’m happy for you to have lost weight.

3) – Perfect Continuous: To + have + been + V-ing. We use this stru========cture to emphasize

duration.

 He looks angry to have been waiting for hours.

 I'm glad to have been living in Barcelona for the last ten years.

4) - Passive: If a passive finite verb clause comes with an infinitive, it will be a passive infinitive
clause by itself

 I expect that all the rooms will be cleaned before the guests arrive. (Passive finite verb)
 I expect all the rooms to be cleaned before the guests arrive. (Passive infinitive)
 Your essay has to be written in a sheet of paper.

@Teacher Bilal Mammeri.

 B) Phrases of Purpose or Purpose clauses:
We simply use ‘purpose clauses’ to indicate the purpose of an action in a sentence and there
are two kinds of purpose clauses: Non-finite Clauses and Finite Clauses.

1) Non-finite purpose clauses are the most common and contain to + infinitive.
Common conjunctions used in non-finite purpose clauses are: to, in order to, in order
for, and so as to.

 He left early to catch the train.

 To inflate the life jacket, pull the cord.
 He left early so as to catch the train.
 He left early in order to catch the train. (More formal)
 She turned on the radio in order for her son to listen to some music

The subject of a non-finite clause is the same as the subject of the main clause. To make the
sentences negative we put not in front of the ‘to + infinitive.’

 She woke up early in order not to miss the train.

 She woke up early so as not to miss the train.

Note: We can't negate a sentence that contains only ‘to + infinitive.’ There must be a
conjunction.

 She woke up early not to miss the train.

 They built a fence not to let the dogs in.

2) Finite Purpose Clause usually contains ‘that + clause’ and they are usually followed
by ordinary verbs but mostly by a modal. Common conjunctions used in finite purpose
clauses are so, so that and in order that. E.g.:

 Write down the number so you don't forget it.

 I took an umbrella so that I wouldn't wet myself.
 They took a torch so that they could see when it got dark.
 Write this down in order that there may be no misunderstanding. (more formal)

@Teacher Bilal Mammeri.

*If the verb in the main clause is in the present, present continuous or present perfect tense,
we usually use the modals can, may, will or shall in the purpose clause:

 Bilal explains the lesson thoroughly in order that you may understand.
 They are working overtime so that they will earn more money.
 We have commemorated this day in order that we shall not forget this historic moment.

*If the verb in the main clause is in the past tense, we use the modals in the past tense after the
conjunctions (could, might, or would…) in the purpose clause:

 I got up early so I could be ready for the meeting.

 I stood on a chair so that I might see the gameplay better.
 They took a lot of photos in order that they would have a record of the important day.

*We sometimes use ordinary verbs in the purpose clause, but usually in negative purpose
clauses:

 I remind him so that he doesn't forget.

 I'm wearing a hat so that I don't get sunburnt.

Note: in negative purpose clauses ‘in case’ can also be used.

 I remind him in case he forgets.

 They took an umbrella in case it rained.

C) Reason Clause or phrases of Giving Reason:

When want to explain the reason why something happened or why someone did something we
use the clause of reason introduced by a conjunction (as, since, because) or a noun phrase
(introduced by because of, due to, owing to, owning to, or on account of):

@Teacher Bilal Mammeri.

 1) BECAUSE: we use because before a clause (subject + verb). It can be used at the
beginning or in the middle of a sentence. A comma is used when because is at the
beginning of a sentence:

 We didn’t go because it was raining.

 Because the show was canceled, we went to the stadium.

2) AS/SINCE/FOR: we use as, since and for in a very similar way to because. They are
followed by subject + verb and can be used at the beginning or at the in the middle ,
they are more common in written English than in spoken English:

 The mother urged her child to come as/since nightfall approaches.

 Since/as the plates were broken; she had to buy another set.
 He fired her last week, for she was not hard-working. (for always in the middle)

3) BECAUSE OF: we simply use because of before a noun.

 The child was punished because of the misconduct he displayed in the class.
 The doorknob broke down because of the rust.

4) DUE TO/OWING/ON ACCOUNT OF: we can also use these and they come before a noun
like because of, but they for formal use in spoken or written English:

 The party was cancelled due to the fire in the basement.

 I did not want to meet them owing to my lack of interest.
 I could not enjoy the picnic on account of the constant noise.

NOTE: we also use ‘thanks to’ to express reason in a positive context and it’s followed by a
noun:

 I succeeded in the competition thanks to my father’s support.

 I found the bookstore thanks to Google map.
 Ronald Weasley found the love of his love thanks to his sarcasm.

@Teacher Bilal Mammeri.