INFINITIVE

Definition: Infinitive is the base form of the verb. The infinitive form of a verb is the form which follows "to". For example: *(to) go, (to) be, (to) ask, (to) fight, (to) understand, (to) walk .

Infinitives may occur with or without the infinitive marker "to". Infinitives without "to" are known as "bare infinitives". For example: *Help me open the door.

OTHER FORMS The infinitive can have the following forms: 1. The perfect infinitive to have + past participle For example: to have broken, to have seen, to have saved. This form is most commonly found in Type 3 conditional sentences, using the conditional perfect. For example: * If I had known you were coming I would have baked a cake. * Someone must have broken the window and climbed in. * I would like to have seen the Taj Mahal when I was in India. * He pretended to have seen the film. * If I'd seen the ball I would have caught it.

2. The continuous infinitive to be + present participle For example: to be swimming, to be joking, to be waiting . Examples: * I'd really like to be swimming in a nice cool pool right now. * You must be joking! * I happened to be waiting for the bus when the accident happened.

3. The perfect continuous infinitive to have been + present participle For examples: to have been crying, to have been waiting, to have been painting Examples: * The woman seemed to have been crying. * You must have been waiting for hours! * He pretended to have been painting all day.

4. The passive infinitive to be + past participle For example: to be given, to be shut, to be opened Examples: * I am expecting to be given a pay-rise next month. * These doors should be shut. * This window ought to be opened.

NOTE: As with the present infinitive, there are situations where the "to" is omitted.

Examples

* He claimed to be an expert. * I managed to reach the top of the hill. * Don't pretend that you know the answer. * She failed to explain the problem clearly. * The customs man demanded to search our luggage. * I can't afford to go out tonight.

THE USING OF INFINITIVE 1. As the subject of a clause Example: To follow his advice seemed logical. * be * seem * appear 2. After certain expressions (without to ) Example: I would rather stay at home. * had better * would rather * would sooner * why not * why should I/you/ [not]

3. After certain verbs (without to ) Example: We must stay at home. * can * dare (also with to) * do * help (also with to) * let * may * must * need (also with to) * shall * should; *will

4. After certain verbs (with to ) Example: He refused to pay the bill. * afford * agree * aim * appear * arrange * attempt * determined * beg * care * choose * claim * condescend * consent * dare (also be * expect * fail * guarantee * happen * have * help (also * proceed * promise * refuse * resolve * seem * stop * swear * tend * threaten * trouble * undertake * used * volunteer (also * vow * want * wish * would hate * would like * would love * would prefer

without to) * hesitate * hope * learn * long * manage * mean * need

without to) * neglect * offer * ought * plan * prepare * pretend

without to) * decide * demand * deserve * determine * Endeavour

5. After certain verbs with interrogatives (infinitive constructions)

Example: We didn't remember where to meet. * ask * Object * consider * decide * explain advise + * find out * forget * know * learn * remember * see * show * teach * tell + object * understand * wonder

6. After certain verbs with objects (without to ) Example: We heard him scream. * let * make

7. After certain verbs with objects (with to ) Example: She got me to wash the dishes.

* advise * allow * ask * beg * cause * enable * encourage * expect * forbid * force * get

* help * invite * mean * order * permit * persuade * recommend * remind * teach * tell * want

* warn * would hate * would like * would love * would prefer

8. After certain adjectives and their comparisons

Example: It was impossible to go back. * amazed * amazing * angry * astonished * astonishing * awkward * brave * careless * clever * cowardly * crazy * delighted * difficult * disappointed * disgusted * easy * extraordinary * funny * generous * glad * happy * hard * honest * horrified * impossible * kind * nice * odd * pointless * relieved * ridiculous * rude * sad * selfish * silly * sorry * strange * stupid * surprised * wicked * wise

9. After nouns deriving from the verbs mentioned above Example: There was no need to get angry.

* effort * agreement * aim * appearance * arrangement * attempt * choice * claim * decision

* determination * expectation * failure * guarantee * hesitation * hope * longing * need * neglect

* offer * plan * preparation * procedure * promise * refusal

* resolution * tendency * threat * trouble * try

Infinitives Exercise
Join the following pairs of sentences by using infinitives. 1. She wants to pass the exam. She works hard for that reason.

 She works hard to pass the exam.

2. He was sensible. He did the right thing.

 He was sensible enough to do the right thing.

3. They couldn t solve the problem. It was too difficult for them.

 The problem was too difficult for them to solve.

4. The lesson is very long. It can t be finished today.

 The lesson is too long to be finished today.

5. The school appointed John. He would teach English.

 The school appointed John to teach English.

6. I have no interest in politics. I must tell it frankly.

 To be frank, I have no interest in politics.

7. The workers held a meeting. They wanted to select their manager.

 The workers held a meeting to select their manager.

8. I have torn the book. I am sorry.

 I am sorry to have torn the book.

9. She collects old stamps. It is her hobby.

 It is her hobby to collect old stamps.

10. She must obey. She has no choice.

 She has no choice but to obey.

Correct the following sentences 1. Did he dare insult you like that?


Did he dare to insult you like that? (Here dare is used as a principal verb. Therefore, it
should be followed by a to-infinitive.)

2. I bade him to go away.

 I bade him go away. (Bid should be followed by a bare infinitive.)

3. It makes my blood to boil.

 It makes my blood boil. (Make should be followed by a bare infinitive.)

4. We shall try to help to raise funds for the club.


We shall try to help raise funds for the club. (Help should be followed by a bare infinitive.)

5. Better to wait until you hear from him.



Better wait until you hear from him. (Better should be followed by a bare infinitive.)

Infinitive with / without to Choose the correct form (infinitive with or without to). 1. I can 2. We have 3. You must 4. I will English. (speak, to speak) our homework. (to do, do) at home. (stay, to stay)

you. (help, to help) us. (see, to see) . (speak, to speak)

5. He cannot

6. My little sister learns 7. They want 8. You should 9. I'd like 10. May we

to the cinema. (go, to go) your parents. (ask, to ask)

a dog.(have, to have) in? (come, to come)

SOURCES

http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/grammar/infinitive.asp http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/infinitive-gerund