The topic is the infinitive in English. English infinitive

The infinitive is the stem of the verb. In English, when we talk about an infinitive, we usually mean the present tense infinitive, which is the most common. However, there are four other forms of the infinitive: perfect infinitive, perfect continuous infinitive, continuous infinitive and passive infinitive.

The infinitive has two forms:

• infinitive with to= to + base
• zero infinitive= base

The present tense infinitive stem is the verb form you see in the dictionary.

The negative infinitive is formed by adding not before any form of the infinitive.

Examples

• I decided not to go to London.
• He asked me not to be late.
• I"d like you not to sing so loudly.
• I"d rather don't eat meat.
• I might not come.

Functions of the infinitive with to

Infinitive with to to indicate the purpose or intention of an action

In this case to has the same meaning as in order to or so as to.

Examples

• She came to collect her pay check.
• The three bears went to find firewood
• I am calling to ask you about dad.
• You sister has gone to finish her homework.

Infinitive with to as subject in a sentence

This use of the infinitive is formal, and is used much more in written English than in spoken English.

Examples

• To be or not to be, that is the question.
• To know she is to love her.
• To visit the Grand Canyon is my life-long dream.
• To understand statistics, that is our aim.

Infinitive with to in cases where something can or will be used for something

In these examples, the infinitive with to comes after the noun or pronoun.

Examples

• The children need a garden to play in.
• I would like a sandwich to eat.
• I don't have anything to wear.
• Would you like something to drink?

Infinitive with to after adjectives

There is a fairly common way of using the infinitive with to with an adjective. Such phrases are formed:
subject + to be + adjective + (for/of someone) + infinitive with to + (rest of the sentence)

Infinitive with to in a comment or judgment

Use the following construction when using the to infinitive, making a comment or making a judgment about a noun:
Subject + to be + noun phrase + infinitive with to

Infinitive with to with adverbs

The infinitive with to is often used with adverbs too And enough to express the reason for our pleasure or displeasure. The structure is built as follows: too And enough stand before or after an adjective, adverb, or noun, to which they relate in the same way as if they were without an infinitive with to. Then after this we put an infinitive with to to explain the reason why a certain quantity is excessive, sufficient, or insufficient. Usually the to-infinitive and everything that comes after it can be omitted in a sentence and still remain grammatically correct.

Infinitive with to with question words

Verbs ask, decide, explain, forget, know, show, tell and understand may be followed by question words such as where, how, what, who and when+ infinitive with to.

Functions of the zero infinitive

Zero infinitive after auxiliary verbs

Examples

• 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.

Zero infinitive after verbs of perception

With verbs of perception the construction is as follows: verb + object + zero infinitive.

Examples

• He saw her fall from the cliff.
• We heard them close the door.
• They saw us walk towards the lake.
• She felt the spider crawl up her leg.

Zero infinitive after verbs "make" and "let"

Examples

• Her parents let her stay out late.
• Let's go to the cinema tonight.
• You made me come with you.
• Don't make me study that boring grammar book!

Zero infinitive after "had better"

Examples

• We had better take some warm clothing.
• She had better ask him not to come.
• We had better reserve a room in the hotel.
• You" d better give me your address.
• They had better work harder on their homework.

Zero infinitive with "why"

Question word why followed by a zero infinitive when we make sentences.

Examples

• Why wait until tomorrow?
• Why not ask him now?
• Why leave before the end of the game?
• Why walk when can we go in the car?
• Why not buy a new bed?

Infinitive in English is one of the impersonal forms of an English verb (like a participle), naming an action, but not having person, number, gender or tense. There is also another name for the infinitive - indefinite or verb initial form.

Infinitive forms in English

Initial form of an English verb

In russian language infinitive has special endings (suffixes) -th, -ty:

• imperfect form (what to do?): read, work, carry, carry;
• perfect form (what to do?): read, work, bring, take.

In English, the infinitive form is formed as follows:

Particle to + first (undefined) verb form V1.

Examples:
🔊 to play(play) , 🔊 to sing(sing) , 🔊 to ask(ask) , 🔊 to run(run) .

Negative form of the English infinitive

If in Russian before the infinitive when negated it is added the particle is not (Not see , Not do , Not go, Not save), in English the same thing happens, but a negative is added particle not. Watch and listen to the examples below:

🔊 to say(say) - 🔊 not to say(not to tell) ,
🔊 to believe(believe) - 🔊 not to believe(do not believe) .

Tense forms of the English infinitive in voices

In English, the infinitive, like the verb, has active and passive voices (Active and Passive Voice). Let's consider infinitive voices in different types of tense forms using the example of a verb 🔊 to make(do).

Examples of English sentences with infinitive forms.

🔊 I don’t want to make any mistakes in my life. - I don't want commit mistakes in life (active voice).

🔊 Many mistakes seem to have been made by my friend in his test. - A lot of mistakes was admitted in my friend's test (passive voice).

Functions of the infinitive in an English sentence

In English infinitive in a sentence can act as a subject, object, definition, circumstance and part of the predicate. Let's look at these cases in more detail using examples.

Greetings, ladies and gentlemen! Today we will learn what an infinitive is, get acquainted with the rules of formation and learn the forms, and also discuss the role it plays in a sentence and find out when the infinitive is used with the particle “to” and when without.

Infinitive in English (Infinitive)- impersonal or indefinite form of the English verb, which answers the question “What to do?”, “What to do?”. It indicates only the action, without naming the person, number or mood.

A distinctive feature of the infinitive is the particle “to”, but in some cases it can be omitted (bare infinitive).

I was glad to see you. - I was glad to see you.
Can't play chess. - He knows how to play chess.

Negative forms are formed by adding a particle " not" before the infinitive.

I have decided not to invite them. - I decided not to invite them.

Rules for forming the infinitive in English

The infinitive in English has 4 forms (or types) in the active (active) voice and 2 in the passive (passive).

Let's look at them:

Forms of the English infinitive

• Simple Infinitive- the form that we are used to seeing in the dictionary. It is usually used to indicate action in the present or future tense.

I am glad to meet Peter. - I'm glad to meet Peter.
I have a lot of work to do. - I have a lot of work to do.

• Continuous Infinitive- this form indicates a long-term effect. This infinitive, like the Simple, denotes an action in the present or future tense.

The weather seems to be changing. - It seems the weather is changing.
He doesn't seem to be sleeping. - He seems to be sleeping.

• Perfect Infinitive names an action that occurred before the moment of speech indicated in the sentence or before another action.

I am happy to have left school. - I'm glad I left school.
She will pretend to have won the lottery. - She will pretend that she won the lottery.

• Perfect Continuous Infinitive shows an action that lasts until a specific moment or other action in the present.

I'm glad to have been living in London for so long. - I'm glad I've lived in London for so long.
Jack seems to have been living here since his childhood. - It seems that Jack has lived here since childhood.

• Passive Indefinite Infinitive expresses an action on someone or something that occurs simultaneously with the action expressed by a verb in its personal form - a predicate verb.

I didn't expect to be invited. - I didn't expect to be invited.
Everybody wants to be loved. - Everyone wants to be loved.

• Passive Perfect Infinitive used to denote an action in the passive voice that occurred before the action or state expressed by the predicate verb.

Not said to have won the Olympic Gold. - They say that he won a gold medal at the Olympic Games.
They were lucky - they could have been killed. - They were lucky - they could have been killed.

Functions of the infinitive in English

The infinitive in a sentence can perform various functions: be a subject, an object, part of a compound predicate, a definition, etc.

• Subject.

To walk alone late at night is very dangerous. - Walking alone late at night is very dangerous.

• Addition (object).

Many people hate to lose. - Many people hate losing.

• Part of a compound predicate.

My decision is to stay here for a couple of days. - My decision is to stay here for a couple of days.

• Definition (attribute).

She was the best to solve this problem. “She solved this problem best of all.”

• Adverbial modifier

You can break this model. It was made to be tested. - You can break this model. It was made for testing.

The infinitive is often used in sentences as introductory words or phrases.

To put it mildly, Jack was tipsy. - To put it mildly, Jack was tipsy.
To tell the truth, I don’t really like this city. - To be honest, I really don’t like this city.
Well, to cut a long story short, the party was awful. - In short, the party was terrible.

When the infinitive is used with the particle to

• The infinitive is usually used with the particle “to”: “to read”, “to write”, “to work”.

But, if in a sentence there are 2 infinitives connected by the conjunction “and” or “or”, then the particle “to” is usually omitted before the second infinitive.

She decided to go and buy something for supper. - She decided to go and buy something for dinner.
I intend to call on him and discuss this question. - I intend to go to him and discuss this issue.

• The particle "to" is sometimes used at the end of a sentence without a verb.

This is done to avoid repeating the same verb in a sentence. This use of the particle “to” usually occurs after the verbs “ to wish"- wish, " to want"- want, " to try"- try , « to allow"- allow, " to have to"- be obligated, etc.

I didn't want to stay there, but I had to. - I didn’t want to stay there, but I had to (stay).
He wished to go, but he wasn’t able to. - He wanted to go, but was not able (could not go).

• The infinitive with “to” is used after the verbs “ask” (ask), “learn” (learn, find out), “explain” (explain), “decide” (decide), “find out” (find out), “want to know” "(want to know) when they are followed by a question word.

We should decide now what to do next. - We must decide now what to do next.
Ralph wanted to know where to buy some good cheese. - Ralph wanted to know where he could buy good cheese.

• The infinitive with “to” is always used after the words “first” (first), “second” (second), “next” (next), “last” (last).

He loves parties: he is always the first to come and the last to leave. - He loves parties: he is always the first to arrive and the last to leave.

• The infinitive with “to” is used after the expressions “would like” or “would love” (would like), “would prefer” (would prefer), which indicate a specific desire.

I would like to talk to her right now. - I'd like to talk to her right now.
I would love to help you, but I have no time. - I would love to help you, but I don’t have time.
I would prefer to drink hot tea - I would prefer to drink hot tea.

• The infinitive with “to” is always used after the words “too” and “enough”.

It’s too cold outside to go jogging. - It's too cold outside to go for a run.
That place was good enough to visit it again. - That place was good enough to visit again.

List of verbs that require an infinitive after themselves

to agree- agree
to aim- intend, try
to appear- turn out to be
to arrange- negotiate
to ask- ask
to attempt- to attempt
to be able- to be able, to be able
to run- ask, beg
to begin- start
to care- want, have a desire
to choose- choose
to claim- declare, affirm
to dare- make up your mind, have courage
to decide- decide
to demand- demand
to deserve- deserve
to dread- to be afraid, to be afraid
to expect- expect
to fail- not to come true, not to do, not to be able to
to get- get permission
to happen- turn out to happen
to hesitate- not to decide
to hope- hope
to hurry- hurry up
to intend- intend
to learn- study
to manage- be able to cope
to need- need
to neglect- forget, not do something
to plan- to plan
to prepare- get ready
to pretend- pretend, pretend
to proceed- go to, start doing something after something
to promise- promise
to refuse- refuse
to seem- seem
to strive- try, make an effort
to wear- to swear
to tend- to have a tendency, to gravitate
to threaten- threaten, intimidate
to vow- take an oath
to wait- wait
to want- want
to wish- want, desire

When the infinitive is used without the particle to

• After modal verbs(may, can, should, must etc).

Children should spend more time outside. - Children should spend more time outdoors.
Can I ask you a question? - Can I ask you a question?

Exception The modal verbs are “dare” / “ought” / “have” / “be”.

She ought to be more polite to other people. - She should be more polite to people.

• After the verbs “let”, “make”, “see”, “hear”, “feel”.

I felt him put his hand on my shoulder. “I felt him put his hand on my shoulder.
I saw she leave the room. - I saw her leave the room.
I heard her sing. - I heard her sing.

But, if these verbs are used in Passive Voice, then they are accompanied by an infinitive with the particle “to”.

Not was seen to leave the house. - We saw him leave the house.

• After the verb “help” (to help), a verb can be used either with or without “to”.

Help me ( to) find my keys, please. - Help me find the keys, please.

• After the expressions “had better” / “would rather”.

I would rather don't tell them about it. - I would prefer not to tell them about it.
You" d better see the doctor. - You'd better go to the doctor.
I" d rather drink coffee - I would prefer to drink coffee.

• In interrogative sentences that begin with “Why not?” (why not).

Why not dance? - Why not dance?
Why not join us and have some wine? - Why not join us and have some wine?

Conclusion

We hope that we have revealed to you all the secrets of the infinitive in English. Now you can safely apply the rules in practice and avoid mistakes in speech :)

Good luck in your studies!

Big and friendly EnglishDom family

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In English infinitive(Infinitive) is a word that denotes an action, but does not indicate a person or number. In Russian, the English infinitive corresponds to the infinitive form of the verb, which answers the questions “what to do? what to do?": to live - to live.

The formal sign of the infinitive is the particle to:

to write- write, to read- read, to drink- drink, to think- think.

If there is a particle before the verb to, then before you is an infinitive (or an indefinite form of a verb). Sometimes the infinitive can be used without a particle to.

The negative form is formed using a particle not, which comes before the infinitive: not to use - do not use.

It is difficult to use .- Difficult use.
It is difficult not to use .- Difficult do not use.

Infinitive forms

In English, the infinitive has 6 forms (unlike Russian, which has only one form). To understand well the meanings of the infinitive forms, you need to have an understanding of the verb.

Simple infinitive. Indefinite Infinitive

Infinitive in the form Indefinite (Simple) or simple infinitive is the basic form and represents the verb in the dictionary (for convenience, the particle in the dictionary to often omitted). This form of the infinitive is in the same tense as the verb that precedes it.

I was glad to see her. — I was glad to see her (simple infinitive in the active voice).
The child didn't like to be washed. — The child did not like being washed (simple infinitive in the passive voice).

Compare the use of the simple infinitive in the active and passive voice: to help - to be helped
I am glad to help you. - I am glad to help. (I'm glad I'm helping).
I am glad to be helped. - I'm glad they're helping me.

Perfect infinitive. Perfect Infinitive

Infinitive in the form Perfect or perfect infinitive denotes an action that precedes the action of the predicate verb.

I was very glad to have met you. - I am very glad that I met you (perfect infinitive in the active voice).
Sorry not to have noticed you. - Sorry that I didn’t notice you (perfect infinitive in the active voice).
The child was happy to have been brought to the circus. — The child was happy that he was brought to the circus (perfect infinitive in the passive voice).

Compare the use of the Simple Infinitive and the Perfect Infinitive in the active voice: to see - to have seen
I am glad to see you. - Glad to see you. (Glad to see you.)
I am glad to have seen you. - Glad I saw you.

Long infinitive. Continuous Infinitive

Infinitive in the form Continuous or long infinitive emphasizes the duration of an action occurring simultaneously with the action of the predicate verb. This form is used only in the active voice.

He doesn't seem to be writing something. — It seems he is writing something now (long infinitive in the active voice).

Perfectly continuous infinitive. Perfect Continuous Infinitive

Infinitive in the form Perfect Continuous or perfect continuous infinitive emphasizes that the action began earlier than the action of the predicate verb, lasted for a period of time and is still lasting. This form is also not used in the passive voice.

He didn't seem to have been writing all day. “It seemed like he was writing all day.”

Infinitive forms in the table

Using the infinitive without the particle to

Most often the infinitive in English is used with the particle to, but there are cases when the particle to not used before an infinitive.

The infinitive is used without particle to in the following cases:

• After can, could, must, may, might, will, shall, should, would And need (in the modal sense). Exceptions are modal verbs have to, ought to, be to.

• IN complex addition after sensory verbs feel(feel), hear(hear), see(see), watch(observe), notice(notice):
  

  I saw him leave the office. — I saw him leave the office.
  I heard him go down the stairs. “I heard him come down the stairs.
  

  But: if the listed verbs feel, see, hear, watch, notice are used in the passive voice, then the particle precedes the infinitive to:
  

  He was seen to leave the office. — We saw him leave the office.
  

• In a complex object after verbs make(meaning “to force, compel”) And let(meaning “to allow, allow”). Again, if these verbs are in the passive voice, then the infinitive is used with the particle to.
  

  I can't make you take this medicine. “I can’t force you to take this medicine.”
  We let her go to the party. — We allowed her to go to the party.
  She was made to rewrite the test. — She was forced to rewrite the test (was made - passive verb).
  

• After the verb help(to help) the infinitive can also be used with a particle to, and without it. Both options are acceptable, with the option without to less formal.

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.

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