The Infinitive
THE INFINITIVE
1. Form
The infinitive is the base form of a verb. It may be preceded by 'to' (the to-infinitive) or stand alone (the base or zero infinitive).
2. Infinitive with or without 'to'
The to-infinitive is used:
· after certain verbs. e.g. want, wish, agree, fail, mean, decide, learn
· after the auxiliaries to be to, to have to, and ought to
· in the pattern 'it is + adjective + to-infinitive'
Examples
with 'to'
· The elephant decided to marry the mouse
· The mouse agreed to marry the elephant
· You will have to ask her
· You are to leave immediately
· He ought to relax
· She has to go to Berlin next week
· It's easy to speak English
· It is hard to change jobs after twenty years
· It's stupid to believe everything you hear
without 'to'
· I would rather visit Rome.
· She would rather live in Italy.
· Would you rather eat steak or fish?
· He would rather work in a bank.
· I'd rather be a forest than a tree.
THE ZERO INFINITIVE
The zero infinitive is used:
1. after most auxiliaries (e.g. must, can, should, may, might)
2. after verbs of perception, (e.g. see, hear, feel) with the pattern verb + object + zero infinitive
3. after the verbs 'make' and 'let', with the pattern make/let + object + zero infinitive
5. after the expression 'would rather' when referring to the speaker's own actions
· 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.
· 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.
· Her parents let her stay out late.
· Let's go to the cinema tonight.
· You made me love you.
· Don't make me study that boring grammar book!
NOTICE that the 'to-infinitive' is used when 'make' is in the passive voice:
· I am made to sweep the floor every day.
· She was made to eat fish even though she hated it.
· We had better take some warm clothing.
· She had better ask him not to come.
· You'd better not smile at a crocodile!
· We had better reserve a room in the hotel.
· You'd better give me your address.
· They had better work harder on their grammar!
After 'would rather':
Note: this is ONLY when referring to the speaker's own actions - see 'would rather' in section on Unreal past.
THE INFINITIVE
NEGATIVE INFINITIVE
To form the negative infinitive, place not before the to- or zero infinitive:
e.g. not to worry:
e.g. not to worry:
It's hard not to worry about exams.
Examples
· I decided not to go to London.
· He asked me not to be late.
· Elephants ought not to marry mice.
· You'd better not smile at the crocodile.
· I'd rather not eat meat.
THE INFINITIVE
INFINITIVE AFTER QUESTION WORDS
These verbs: ask, decide, explain, forget, know, show, tell, understand, can be followed by a question word such as where, how, what, who, when or 'whether' + 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 can't decide whether to wear the red dress or the black one.
The question word Why is followed by the zero infinitive in suggestions:
Examples
· Why wait until tomorrow?
· Why not ask him now?
· Why walk when we can go in the car?
· Why not buy a new bed for your bedroom?
· Why leave before the end of the game?
· Why not spend a week in Beirut and a week in Baghdad?
THE INFINITIVE
FUNCTION
The most common uses of the infinitive are:
To indicate the purpose or intention of an action (where the 'to' has the same meaning as 'in order to' or 'so as to'):
· She's gone to collect her pay cheque.
· The three bears went into the forest to find firewood.
As the subject of the sentence:
· To be or not to be, that is the question.
· To know her is to love her.
(Note: this is more common in written English than spoken)
(Note: this is more common in written English than spoken)
With nouns or pronouns, to indicate what something can be used for, or what is to be done with it:
· Would you like something to drink?
· I haven't anything to wear.
· The children need a garden to play in.
After adjectives in these patterns:
· It is + adjective +to-infinitive
It is good to talk
It is good to talk
· It is + adjective + infinitive + for someone + to-infinitive.
It is hard for elephants to see mice
It is hard for elephants to see mice
· It is + adjective + infintive + of someone + to-infinitive.
It is unkind of her to say that.
It is unkind of her to say that.
After an adjective + noun when a comment or judgement is being made:
· It was a stupid place to park the car.
· This is the right thing to do.
· It was an astonishing way to behave.
With too and enough in these patterns:
too much/many (+ noun) + to-infinitive
· There's too much sugar to put in this bowl.
· I had too many books to carry.
too + adjective + to-infinitive
· This soup is too hot to eat.
· She was too tired to work.
too + adverb + to-infinitive
· He arrived too late to see the actors.
enough (+ noun) + to-infinitive
· I've had enough (food) to eat.
adjective + enough + to-infinitive
· She's old enough to make up her own mind.
not enough (+noun) + to-infinitive
· There isn't enough snow to ski on.
not + adjective + enough + to-infinitive
· You're not old enough to have grand-children!
THE INFINITIVE
OTHER FORMS
The infinitive can have the following forms:
NOTE: as with the present infinitive, there are situations where the to is omitted, e.g. after most modal auxiliaries.
| The perfect infinitive: |
| to have + past participle, e.g. to have broken, to have seen, to have saved. This form is most commonly found in Type 3 conditional sentences, using the conditional perfect, e.g. If I had known you were coming I would have baked a cake. Examples· 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. |
| The continuous infinitive: |
| to be + present participle, e.g.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. |
| The perfect continuous infinitive: |
| to have been + present participle Examples· to have been crying · to have been waiting · to have been painting · The woman seemed to have been crying. · You must have been waiting for hours! · He pretended to have been painting all day. |
| The passive infinitive: |
| to be + past participle, e.g. 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. |
THE INFINITIVE
VERBS NORMALLY FOLLOWED BY THE INFINITIVE
A. The to-infinitive is used after the verbs in this group, without a preceding noun. The verbs marked * can also be followed by a 'that-clause'
Example:
| VERB | TO-INFINITIVE |
| I hope... | to see you next week. |
| | THAT- CLAUSE |
| I hope... | that I'll see you next week |
List of verbs normally followed by the infinitive
| afford agree1 aim appear1 arrange1 bother care claim1 condescend consent decide1 demand1 determine1 endeavour | fail guarantee1 happen 1 hasten have (= be obliged) hesitate hope1 learn long manage offer prepare pretend1 proceed | promise1 propose prove (= turn out) refuse resolve1 seek seem1 strive swear1 tend threaten1 trouble undertake volunteer vow1 |
1 These verbs can only be followed by a 'that-clause' when they have the subject 'it'.
Example
· It appeared that no-one had locked the door.
Examples:
· He claimed to be an expert.
· I managed to reach the top of the hill.
· I know you're only pretending to love me!
· 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 INFINITIVE
VERBS NORMALLY FOLLOWED BY THE INFINITIVE
B. These are the most common of the verbs that are normally followed by a noun + infinitive. The verbs marked * may also be followed by a 'that-clause'.
Example
| VERB | NOUN | INFINITIVE |
| He reminded | me | to buy some eggs. |
| | | THAT-CLAUSE |
| He reminded | me | that I had to buy some eggs. |
| accustom aid appoint assist cause challenge command* defy direct* drive empower enable encourage entice | entitle entreat force get implore* incite induce inspire instruct* invite lead leave (make someone responsible) oblige | order* persuade* press prompt provoke remind* require* stimulate summon teach tell tempt trust* warn* |
Notes:
* command, direct, entreat, implore, order, require, trust:
there is no noun between these verbs and a 'that-clause':
there is no noun between these verbs and a 'that-clause':
· The general commanded his men to surrender.
· The general commanded that his men should surrender.
persuade and remind:
there is always a noun between these verbs and a 'that-clause':
there is always a noun between these verbs and a 'that-clause':
· You can't persuade people to buy small cars.
· You can't persuade people that small cars are better.
instruct, teach, warn:
the noun is optional between these verbs and a 'that-clause':
the noun is optional between these verbs and a 'that-clause':
· She taught her students to appreciate poetry.
· She taught her students that poetry was valuable.
· She taught that poetry was valuable.
Examples
· The professor challenged his students to argue with his theory.
· This law empowers the government to charge more taxes.
· You can't force me to do something I don't agree with.
· You are obliged to drive on the left in England.
· I invited the new student to have dinner with me.
· What inspired you to write this poem?
· The elephant told the mouse to climb up his tail.
THE INFINITIVE
VERBS NORMALLY FOLLOWED BY THE INFINITIVE
C. These are the most common of the verbs followed by a to-infinitive, with or without a noun.
Example
· I asked him to show me the book.
· I asked to see the book.
| ask* beg* choose dare desire* elect | expect* help mean* (=intend) request* want wish* |
The verbs marked * can also be followed by a that-clause
Note:
dare: In negative and interrogative sentences the infinitive with or without 'to' is possible, though it is more common to omit the 'to':
· I never dared tell him what happened.
· Dare you tell him the news?
· Would you dare (to) jump out of a plane?
Examples
We've chosen John to represent the company at the conference.
· The driver didn't try to stop after the accident.
· We expect you to do your best in the exam.
· Do you want to go to the beach?
· Do you want me to go with you to the beach?
· You are requested to be quiet in this library.
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