LoginInfinitives For Intermediate learners
This time we are going to delve into a new section of grammar. Have you heard about infinitives before? What are they for? Let's find out here.
What Are Infinitives?
Infinitives are a type of verb form that are used to express an action or state of being without specifying who or what is doing the action.
Infinitives: Types
There are two major types of infinitives in English. Take a look at the following list:
Now, let us examine how each type works:
To-infinitives
To-infinitives, also known as full infinitives, are formed by adding 'to' to the base form of a verb. They are primarily used to create infinitive phrases and clauses. Take a look at the following examples:
She wants
They were told
Uses
As it was stated above, infinitives are generally used to form infinitive phrases and clauses. These phrases/clauses can function as the subject, the object of the verb, the object of a preposition, etc. 'To-infinitives' can function as:
- a noun
- an adverb
- an adjective
Now, let us see how each group functions:
To-infinitives As a Noun
To-infinitives can act as nouns in the sentence. So, they can serve as the subject, the object of the verb, or the object of a preposition. Study the following examples carefully:
Here, the to-infinitive is used as the subject.
She doesn't like
Here, the to-infinitive is the direct object of the verb.
He left me with no choice but
Here, the to-infinitive is the object of preposition.
As an Adverb
We can use to-infinitives to make adverbs. They are used to describe and modify verbs, other adverbs, and adjectives. Take a look at the following examples:
I clean my room
The professor chose your group
As an Adjective
We can also use infinitives to form adjectives. They are mainly used to modify nouns. Take a look at the following examples:
That is a movie
She is a person
Tip!
We can use to-infinitive phrases after adjectives in a sentence. Please note that the infinitive phrase does not come directly after the adjective. Study the following example carefully:
It is kind of you
Bare Infinitives
Bare infinitives, also known as infinitives without 'to', are verb forms that do not require 'to' before the base form of the verb. Certain verbs are commonly used with bare infinitives. Study the following examples:
My sister helped me
As you can see, the base form of the verb is used without 'to'.
Fred let me
Uses
We can use bare infinitives when we have:
- Verbs of Perception
- Modals
Now, we are going to discuss how modals can be used with 'bare infinitives':
Modals
When we have modal verbs, we can only use bare infinitives after them. Study the following examples:
The professor may
(Not the professor may to answer...)
I think I can
(Not I think I can to write...)
Tip!
Bare infinitives can be used after 'why'. It is mostly used to suggest an idea. Check out the following examples:
Why
Why
Comments
(0)
Recommended
