LoginTo-infinitives
To-infinitives are the base form of the verbs preceded by the preposition 'to'. To-infinitives are used in many conditions. In this lesson, we will learn them.
What Are To-infinitives?
To-infinitives, also known as full infinitives, consist of the base form of the verb preceded by the word 'to'. To-infinitives are widely used to express necessity and purpose.
To-infinitives: Functions
To-infinitives can function as:
- Nouns
- Adverbs
- Adjectives
Nominal Infinitives
Nominal to-infinitives can be used as subjects, objects of prepositions, and direct objects in a sentence.
To-infinitive as Subject
To-infinitives can be used at the beginning of the sentence as the subject of the sentence. Here are the examples.
To-infinitives as direct Objects
A to-infinitive can also be used as the direct object of transitive verbs. Check out the examples:
I wanted
They liked
To-infinitive as Object of Preposition
We can use to-infinitives after prepositions as the object of the preposition. Here are some examples.
I am about
They couldn't do anything but
using to-infinitives as the subject
Adverbial Infinitives
Adjectival Infinitives
Sometimes to-infinitives can be used to modify a noun. So, they act as adjectives. Here are a few examples.
That was not a story
The movie is one
Different Forms of To-infinitives
There are different formations of to-infinitives. Check out the list.
- perfect to-infinitive
- perfect continuous to-infinitive
- continuous to-infinitive
- passive to-infinitive
Perfect To-infinitives
A perfect to-infinitive implies a
She is said
In this example, "she was a good nurse in the past, maybe she is retired now."
Peter is known
Perfect Continuous To-infinitive
Perfect continuous to-infinitives are formed by using [have + been + the present participle of a verb]. They indicate a preceding event that is
I am glad
You seem
Continuous To-infinitives
Continuous to-infinitives are formed by using [to be + present participle] and indicate an ongoing or continuous action. They can indicate a purpose or goal or express a future plan or intention. For example:
She hopes
They seemed
Passive To-infinitives
To-infinitives can be used in the passive form by using the verb 'to be' in different tenses followed by a past participle. Here are a few examples.
The man is
They wanted
Using To-infinitives in Special Structures
We can use to-infinitives to express special concepts.
Be + To-Infinitive
This structure uses to-infinitive to express activities that somebody is going to do or is supposed to do. Here are the examples.
They were
I was
With Catenative Verbs
To create a chain of verbs, you can add them together using to-infinitives, with the to-infinitive serving as the direct object of the catenative verb. Here are some examples.
We decided
The kids like
Elliptical Questions
To-infinitives can be used after interrogative words to form elliptical questions. Check out the examples:
They don't know where
Tell me how
Review
To-infinitive verbs can be used in the following forms;
- simple
- continuous
- perfect
- perfect continuous
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