How to determine the infinitive in English. Functions of the infinitive in English

Infinitive is the basic, impersonal form of the verb. Sign infinitive in English is a particle to, For example: (to) go, (to) be, (to) ask, (to) fight, (to) understand, (to) walk.

English infinitive combines the characteristics of a verb and, to some extent, a noun. The latter is expressed in the fact that the infinitive can act in a sentence as a subject, object, predicative, definition, circumstance and some others.

For example:
To learn is important.
Teaching important. ( The infinitive functions as a subject.)

The most important thing is to learn.
The most important thing is study. (The infinitive performs the function of a predicate.)

He wants to learn.
He wants study. (The infinitive functions as a complement.)

Negative forms of the infinitive are formed by adding a negative particle not to the infinitive.

For example:
I decided to invite them. – I decided not to invite them.
I solved them invite. - I solved them don't invite.

Infinitive forms in English

There are several forms of the infinitive in English, which are discussed in detail below. To better understand the difference between the listed infinitive forms, you need to have a good understanding of tenses and voice in English.

Continuous Infinitive / Progressive Infinitive

Method of education: (to) + be + present participle

Examples: (to) be writing, (to) be reading, (to) be walking, etc.

Continuous Infinitive(also called Progressive Infinitive) is used to show that actions or events will occur at the time of speech.

For example:
I happened to be waiting for the bus when the accident happened.
It so happened that I waited bus when the accident occurred.

You must be joking.
You probably, you're kidding.

Perfect Infinitive

Method of education: (to) have + past participle

Examples: (to) have received, (to) have broken, (to) have seen, etc.

Perfect Infinitive can be used in the same situations in which the past tense or perfect tenses are used (see verb tenses).

For example:
I am happy to have left school. (= I am happy that I have left school.)
I am glad that graduated school.

You seem to have announced him. (= It seems that you have annoyed him.)
It seems you are him annoyed.

It's nice to have finished work. (= It is nice that I have finished work.)
Nice finish work.

Perfect Infinitive often used to describe impossible actions in the past tense.

For example:
If you had run a bit faster, you would have won.
If you ran a little faster, you would won.

You should have told me you were coming.
I needed it say that you will come.

Passive Infinitive

Method of education: (to) be + past participle

Examples: (to) be given, (to) be seen, (to) be loved, etc.

Passive Infinitive passive voice).

For example:
Everybody wants to be loved.
Everybody wants them loved.

There is a lot of work to be done.
Need to execute a lot of work.

She ought to be told about it.
She should talk about it say.

Perfect Passive Infinitive

Method of education: (to) + have been + past participle

Perfect Passive Infinitive has the same meaning as regular verbs in Passive Voice (see passive voice).

For example:
They were lucky – they could have been killed.
They were lucky - they could have been kill.

Perfect Continuous Infinitive / Perfect Progressive Infinitive

Method of education: (to) have been + present participle

Examples: (to) have been crying, (to) have been wanting, etc.

Perfect Continuous Infinitive(also called Perfect Progressive Infinitive) is used in Perfect Continuous tenses (see verb tenses).

For example:
We have been waiting for ages.
We we wait for ages now.

How long have you been living here?
How long have you been here? live?

Using the infinitive without the particle to

Usually infinitive in English used with particle to. But in some cases the infinitive is used without a particle to. Such cases are discussed below.

1. After modal verbs:

We can manage it.
We can handle this.

We must get someone to paint the roof.
We need to get someone to paint our roof.

You may go now.
You can go.

2. After modal constructions ( would rather, had better):

You had better consult a doctor.
You better go see a doctor.

I would rather go alone.
I'd rather go alone.

3. After the verb do, used as an intensifying verb:

I do admit that I was wrong.
Yes, I admit that I was wrong.

But you did say that!
But you said it!

4. With a verb let in the meaning of “allow” or incentive sentences:

Let's him go.
Let him go.

Let's me help you with the translation.
Let me help you with the translation.

5. In combination with verbs of perception to see, to hear, to watch etc., if they are not in the passive voice:

I saw her light the lamp.
I saw her light the lamp.

We heard her sing a song.
We heard her sing a song.

We watched them play.
We watched them play.

6. After the verb make meaning “to force”, if it is not in the passive voice:

They made me wait.
They kept me waiting.

He made me come.
He made me come.

7. After the verb help it is allowed to omit the particle to:

She helped the child (to) lift the box.
She helped the child lift the box.

If in cases 5-7 the passive voice is used, then the particle to required:

She was heard to sing a song.
They heard her sing a song.

She was made to pay back the money.
She was forced to pay money.

He was helped to lift the box.
They helped him lift the box.

8. After alliances and, or, except, but, than, as And like in the case when they are used to connect two infinitives:

It is as easy to smile as frown.
Smiling is as easy as frowning.

Do you want to have lunch now or wait till later?
Do you want to have lunch now, or wait?

We had nothing to do except look at the cinema posters.
We had nothing to do but look at movie posters.

9. After why And why not in question:

Why pay more at other shops? We have the lowest prices.
Why pay more at other stores? We have the lowest prices.

Why not make it up with him?
Why not apologize to him?

The infinitive and its use are discussed in more detail in the section

What is the most important thing you need to know about the English infinitive?

Non-finite verb forms are verb forms that are characterized by the absence of the following grammatical categories: person, number, tense and mood.

After to be in the future tense, that is, after shall(first person) and will(for all other persons):

• • I shall read this novel next week. — I will read this novel next week.
  • You will watch the play day after tomorrow. - You will watch this performance the day after tomorrow
• After modal verbs
  • I can speak Russian. - I can speak Russian.

  Remember! The exception is the modal verb ought- must:

  • I thought to do this thing. - I have to do this thing
• After to let- allow, to make- meaning “to force”:
  • Let him discuss the problems. - Let him discuss the problems.
  • They make me go. - They make me leave
• After combination: had better(better), would rather(better be):
  • I had better work today. - I'd rather work today.
  • You would rather leave this house. - You'd better leave this house
• After verbs:
  

  see	see
  notice	notice
  feel	feel
  cause	cause, force
  watch	look
  observe	observe
  hear	hear

Existing forms of the English infinitive

The infinitive in English has six forms, four of which are in the active voice and two in the passive voice. As you study the table, you will notice that all four types of active voice have the same translation “to draw”, and two types of passive voice are translated as “to be drawn”. Translation into Russian does not reflect the semantic differences, but in English they have different semantic connotations, as well as certain cases of use. For example, the infinitive forms of the Perfect and Perfect Continuous types express actions that precede some other actions.

Study the sentences below to understand how each form is used in speech.

1. Indefinite Active
   • I want to read your story. — I want to read your story
2. Indefinite Passive
   • A culprit must be punished. — The culprit must be punished
3. Continuous Active
   • I believed him to be working. — I believed that it worked
4. Perfect Active
   • I forgot to have seen Mike. — I forgot that I saw Mike
5. Perfect Passive
   • I didn’t know that the tasks to have been done. — I didn’t know that the tasks had already been done
6. Perfect Continuous Active
   • She must have been waiting all day. — She must have been waiting all day

Multifunctionality of the infinitive

In sentences, the infinitive in English can take on various functions:

1. Subject
   As a subject, the infinitive is at the beginning of the sentence and must be followed by the predicate:
   • To run every morning is very useful habit. — Running in the morning is a very useful habit.
2. Circumstance of the goal
   • To walk in this beautiful garden I wrote my homework very quickly. — To take a walk in this beautiful garden, I wrote my homework very quickly
3. Addition
   • The pupils were glad to have been given a holiday. — The students were glad that they were given a day off
4. Part of a compound predicate
   Performing this function in a sentence, the infinitive is associated with:
   • modal verbs: must, can, may etc. :

   You may remain here. -You can stay here.

   • to be And to have- in the meaning “must”, while after them the particle is required - to:

   I have to write the exercises. — I have to write exercises

5. Definition Sentences where the modifier is an infinitive have the following syntactic rule regarding the word order in them: the modifier comes after the word being defined:
   • I bought them the coffee to drink. — I brought them coffee to drink.
   • I have a great dream to travel. — I have a huge dream to travel

When we need an infinitive

forms of the infinitive There are a huge number of cases in English when exactly its simple forms of the infinitive are needed in speech. Therefore, all the following examples of use refer specifically to the use of simple forms of the infinitive in speech. Its other forms are used extremely rarely in English. One of the problems with using the infinitive in English is its similarity to the gerund. Which one and when should you use it? This is the question that arises. Sometimes there is no one right option.

1. For example, the infinitive acts as a subject extremely rarely, the gerund is preferred, especially in modern English.

• Reading is interesting and useful. — Reading is interesting and useful. (More commonly used option)
• To read is interesting and useful. — Reading is interesting and useful.

However, both options are grammatically correct and possible.

2. When it comes to the function of the subject, sometimes you also need to make a choice between the infinitive and the gerund. In this case it all depends on the semantic verb, which plays a decisive role in the choice.

• I enjoy running. — I like to run (after to enjoy always followed by a gerund)
• I want to run. - I want to run ( to want needs an infinitive form)

3. These verbs are followed by an infinitive:

• learn - teach
• dare - dare
• tend - to look after
• need - to need
• mean - to mean
• agree - agree
• refuse - refuse
• afford - deliver
• forget - forget
• promise - promise
• threaten - threaten
• offer - provide
• attempt- - try
• manage - manage
• fail - fail
• decide - decide
• plan - plan
• arrange - arrange
• hope - to hope
• appear - appear
• seem - seem
• pretend - pretend
• ask - ask
• know - know
• remember - remember
• explain - explain
• understand - remember

4. The following verbs are used with an infinitive, but only if it is preceded by a noun:

• The mother advised her daughter to be more confident in her forces. — The mother advised her daughter to be more confident in her abilities

5.In English there is also such a construction using the infinitive:

to be + adjective + infinitive

• She is happy to have such a good husband. — She is happy that she has such a good husband
• Mary was miserable to find out the bad news. —Mary was unhappy when she heard the bad news

6. Nouns that are used with an infinitive after them:

• My advice to study French was good. — My advice to learn French was good
• His plan to continue studying is measured. — His plan to continue his studies is deliberate
• Your refusal to visit grandparents is very strange. “Your refusal to visit your grandparents is very strange.”

The following video is a brief overview of all the material we covered. To better consolidate new information in your memory, it would be a good idea to review it. Good luck!

We have already met when we discussed modal verbs ought to and should, may and might, must. The use of a special infinitive gave new meaning to the whole sentence and emphasized that the person had done something in the past. But you shouldn’t associate the perfect infinitive in English only with modal verbs. There are several interesting constructions in which it will also be useful to you and will help you make the sentence more complex and grammatically correct.

Using the perfect infinitive in English

First, let's look at what " perfect infinitive in English" This phrase usually hides a simple formula:

HAVE + 3RD FORM OF VERB

Examples: have done, have mistaken, have forgotten, have received, have spoken, have seen

All these forms resemble present perfect. But to form a perfect infinitive we do not need an auxiliary verb has.

Usually the perfect infinitive in English is used in the following cases.

1. To express a situation that could have happened in the past, but did not. Very often such a sentence begins with would like, mean, be.

Examples:

Amanda was to have finished the project yesterday, but she quitted. Amanda was supposed to finish the project yesterday, but she quit.

I would like to have met your parents at the airport, but I had an important conference.– I would like to meet your parents at the airport, but I had an important conference.

2. The perfect infinitive can be used in English to convey an action in the past. It just makes the proposal more beautiful.

Examples:

He seems to have forgotten the rule. = It seems that he has forgotten the rule.

It seems he forgot the rule.

They were sorry to have presented the wrong size. = They were sorry that they had presented the wrong size.

They were sorry that they gave the wrong size.

3. The perfect infinitive can be part of the passive voice (Passive Voice) to emphasize that an action on a person or object was performed earlier than it is mentioned in the sentence.

Examples:

The burglar is reported to have been arrested.– It is reported that the burglar has been arrested.

The family were happy to have been invited to a wedding ceremony.– The family is happy to be invited to the wedding ceremony.

4. Perfect infinitive in English paired with modal verbs must And may used to express a belief that something happened in the past.

Examples:

She must have come home earlier today.“She must have come home earlier today.”

Bob may have forgotten to lock the door. Bob probably forgot to close the door.

5. Should+ perfect infinitive express reproach for failure to perform some action.

The infinitive is one of the non-finite forms of the verb, denoting action and answering questions: what to do? what to do? A distinctive feature of the infinitive is the presence of the particle to before the verb, but in some cases it can be omitted.

Table 1. Formation of the main forms of the infinitive.

*Please note that only transitive verbs have passive forms.
**Please note that some verbs in English cannot take the Continuous form (for example, to know, to seem, to mind, and others).

Table 2. Use of basic forms of the infinitive.

Table 3. Use of the infinitive without the particle to.

Table 4. The role of the infinitive in an English sentence.

In English, the infinitive can act as part of a compound nominal predicate, and also serve as other members of the sentence.

Infinitive in English– this is a non-personal form. Like a verb, an infinitive names an action, but unlike a verb, it does not indicate person or number. In its basic form (Simple Infinitive), the infinitive answers the questions: what to do? what to do?

to purchase – to purchase.

The infinitive is also called the “infinitive form of the verb” or the “initial form of the verb.”

Table: infinitive forms in English (briefly)

The infinitive can have 4 forms in the active voice and 2 in the passive voice.

However, the most common and relevant for study is the form “simple infinitive in the active voice” (to ask). In fact, when they say “infinitive”, usually, in most cases, I mean this particular form - most of this article is devoted to it.

Below we will look at the same table again and analyze each form in detail, but first we need to clarify two more points:

• The infinitive can be with or without the particle to.
• How is the negative form of the infinitive formed?

After that, let's return to the analysis of each form.

Infinitive with the particle to and without the particle to

The infinitive can be used with or without the particle to:

• I want to help you. - I want to help you.
• I must help you. - I have to help you.

Most often the infinitive is used with to, but there are a number of cases when the infinitive is used without the particle to, they apply to all forms of the infinitive(i.e. all forms from the table above). I note that most often the infinitive without to occurs after modal verbs, other cases are quite rare.

1. After modal verbs (the most common case)

Negative infinitive

The negative form is formed using a particle not– it is placed before the infinitive. If the infinitive has the particle to, the negation not is placed before it.

I decided not to go to London. – I decided not to go to London.

He asked me not to be late. - He asked me not to be late.

I might not come. – I may not come.

All forms of the infinitive in English (details)

Let's look again at all forms of the infinitive:

There are six forms in total in the table:

1. Simple Infinitive:

I want to ask you – I want to ask you.

2. Simple Infinitive Passive:

I want to be asked- I want to be asked.

3. Continuous Infinitive:

I happened to be asking her about you when you came in. “It so happened that I asked her about you when you came.”

4. Perfect Infinitive:

You could have asked me first - You could ask me first.

5. Perfect Infinitive Passive:

She could have been asked by anybody – Anyone could have asked her.

6. Perfect Continuous Infinitive:

He doesn't seem to have been asking wrong people - Looks like he was asking the wrong people questions.

Please note that the most common, necessary and important form to study is Simple Infinitive. In second place - Simple Infinitive Passive. Other forms are used less frequently.

Forms Perfect And Perfect Continuous(that is, those where there are have) – largely overlap with the themes “ and . If you already know these topics, you will see familiar things, but just from a different perspective - everything is explained in more detail below.

Simple Infinitive - simple infinitive (the most necessary form)

The most common and important form of the infinitive to study is the simple infinitive in the active voice (Infinitive Indefinite Active or Simple Infinitive Active). It is used to denote an action that:

1. Occurs simultaneously with the action of the main verb:

Tell him to stop. - Tell him to stop.

2. Refers to the future tense:

I want you to come with me tomorrow. – I want you to come with me tomorrow.

3. Regardless of the time of commission:

To know such tricks are useful. – Knowing such tricks is useful.

Let's name the main cases of its use.

1. With verbs that do not give full meaning

The infinitive is often used in combination with verbs that do not make full sense without it, for example:

• Tell- say/command something,
• Begin- start,
• Continue- continue,
• Want- want,
• Intend- intend
• Try- try, try,
• Hope- hope
• Promise- promise,
• Decide- decide, make a decision.

I want to see your permission. - I want to see your permission.

Do you promise to quit smoking? – Do you promise to quit smoking?

Nina decided not to sing the agreement. – Nina decided not to sign the agreement.

I'll try to help you. - I'll try to help you.

These verbs include modal verbs. I remind you that after them the infinitive is used without the particle to:

I must see your permission. - I need to see your permission.

Can you quit smoking? -Can you quit smoking?

2. To indicate the purpose of an action

In Russian, when we need to express the purpose of an action, we say “to” or “with a purpose.” In English we use the infinitive:

She came to collect her letter. - She came (to) pick up her letter.

We came to help you. - We came (to) help you.

I am calling to ask you about dad. – I’m calling you (to) ask about dad.

You sister has gone to finish her homework. – Your sister left to finish her homework (left to finish).

In this case to can be replaced by a union in order to(with a purpose), the meaning will be the same, but sentences with in order to sounds more formal:

You sister has gone in order to finish her homework. – Your sister left to complete her homework.

3. Infinitive as subject

The infinitive is used as a subject in formal speech, often in writing.

To be or not to be, that is the question. – To be or not to be, that is the question.

To know she is to love her. “To know her is to love her.”

To visit the Grand Canyon is my life-long dream. – Visiting the Grand Canyon has been my life’s dream.

To understand statistics, that is our aim. – Understanding statistics is our goal.

4. To indicate the purpose of the item

If I had known you were coming I would have baked a cake. “If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a pie.”

You could have helped him. – You could have helped him (but you didn’t).

In the case of the verb should there is a hint of regret or reproach:

Where should have taken more gas. – We should have taken more gasoline (but, unfortunately, we didn’t).

You should have been prepared for anything! “You should have been ready for anything!” (but you weren't and therefore you let us down)

Perfect Continuous Infinitive - an infinitive denoting a continuous-perfect action

Scheme: to have been + Present Participle. Example: to have been talking.

This form is used in the following cases:

1. Long completed action

The infinitive denotes a continuous action that was performed but completed before the action expressed by the verb.

The woman seemed to have been crying. “The woman looked like she was crying.

He pretended to have been working all day. “He pretended that he had been working all day.”

2. After modal verbs must, may, should

The assumption is expressed that some long-term action took place, but has already ended.

You must have been waiting for hours! “You must have waited for hours!”

They might have been talking before you came in. “They must have been talking before you came in.”

In the case of a modal verb should there is a tinge of regret or reproach that some long-term action could have occurred, but in reality did not occur.

You should have been studying for your test. – You should have studied for the test (but you didn’t).

Note:

Please note that in all perfect forms of the infinitive, that is, in forms where there is have, the word itself have never takes shape has, as in the case of a verb in its personal form. Word have in this case it is part of the infinitive, therefore it cannot be correlated with person and number, and accordingly cannot take a personal form has(has = 3rd person, singular).

He has a fox. - He has a fox.

The has form is used because it is the personal form (3rd person, singular) of the verb.

He might have a fox. - He might have a fox.

Here have– infinitive, it has no person and number.