The infinitive is a fundamental part of learning English and other languages. It is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word “to.” For example, in the phrases “to eat,” “to sleep,” and “to run,” the verbs “eat,” “sleep,” and “run” are in their infinitive forms. Understanding infinitive verbs is crucial for mastering English grammar and enhancing both written and spoken communication.
What is an Infinitive?
An infinitive is the most basic form of a verb. It is not conjugated, which means it doesn’t change according to the subject or tense. The infinitive form is often preceded by the word “to,” as in “to read” or “to write.” However, there are instances where the “to” is omitted, known as the “bare infinitive.”
Examples of Infinitive Verbs
To better understand infinitives, let’s look at some examples:
1. **To read** – I love to read books.
2. **To write** – She wants to write a novel.
3. **To dance** – They hope to dance at the party.
4. **To run** – He likes to run every morning.
In these sentences, “to read,” “to write,” “to dance,” and “to run” are all infinitives. Notice how they follow the pattern of “to + verb.”
Bare Infinitives
A bare infinitive is an infinitive verb without the word “to.” These are often used after certain verbs, modal verbs, and in some other specific grammatical structures.
Examples of Bare Infinitives
Here are some examples to illustrate bare infinitives:
1. **After Modal Verbs**:
– She can **sing** beautifully.
– You must **finish** your homework.
2. **After Verbs of Perception**:
– I heard him **shout**.
– She watched the cat **jump**.
3. **After “Make” and “Let”**:
– They made him **apologize**.
– She let him **go**.
In these examples, “sing,” “finish,” “shout,” “jump,” “apologize,” and “go” are all bare infinitives. They follow specific verbs without the “to.”
Functions of Infinitives
Infinitives can serve various grammatical functions in a sentence. They can act as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.
Infinitives as Nouns
When infinitives act as nouns, they can perform the function of the subject, direct object, or subject complement.
1. **Subject**:
– **To read** is my favorite hobby.
– **To travel** can be expensive.
2. **Direct Object**:
– She loves **to cook**.
– He wants **to learn** French.
3. **Subject Complement**:
– His dream is **to become** a pilot.
– Their goal is **to win** the championship.
In these sentences, the infinitives “to read,” “to travel,” “to cook,” “to learn,” “to become,” and “to win” are functioning as nouns.
Infinitives as Adjectives
Infinitives can also function as adjectives, modifying a noun.
1. There is a lot **to learn** in this class.
2. She has a book **to read**.
3. We have a meeting **to attend**.
In these examples, “to learn,” “to read,” and “to attend” are infinitives modifying the nouns “lot,” “book,” and “meeting,” respectively.
Infinitives as Adverbs
Infinitives can function as adverbs, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
1. He went to the store **to buy** milk.
2. She is happy **to help**.
3. They left early **to avoid** traffic.
In these sentences, the infinitives “to buy,” “to help,” and “to avoid” are functioning as adverbs, modifying the verbs “went,” “is,” and “left.”
Split Infinitives
A split infinitive occurs when an adverb or other word is inserted between “to” and the verb. This has been a topic of debate among grammarians, but modern usage generally accepts split infinitives, especially when they add clarity or emphasis.
Examples of Split Infinitives
1. She decided **to quickly run** to the store.
2. He wants **to really understand** the material.
3. They are planning **to thoroughly clean** the house.
In these examples, “quickly,” “really,” and “thoroughly” split the infinitives “to run,” “to understand,” and “to clean.”
Infinitive Phrases
An infinitive phrase includes the infinitive verb and any complements or modifiers. These phrases can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
Examples of Infinitive Phrases
1. **Noun**:
– **To win the game** was their ultimate goal.
– She loves **to read mystery novels**.
2. **Adjective**:
– He has a report **to complete by Monday**.
– There is a lot **to learn in this course**.
3. **Adverb**:
– She went to the library **to study for her exams**.
– He worked extra hours **to save money for a vacation**.
In these sentences, the infinitive phrases “to win the game,” “to read mystery novels,” “to complete by Monday,” “to learn in this course,” “to study for her exams,” and “to save money for a vacation” serve different grammatical functions.
Common Mistakes with Infinitives
Understanding infinitives is essential, but they can be tricky. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:
Mistake 1: Using the Wrong Infinitive Form
Incorrect: She decided going to the store.
Correct: She decided **to go** to the store.
Explanation: After the verb “decided,” the correct form is the infinitive “to go,” not the gerund “going.”
Mistake 2: Forgetting to Use the Infinitive After Certain Verbs
Incorrect: He made me to apologize.
Correct: He made me **apologize**.
Explanation: After the verb “made,” the correct form is the bare infinitive “apologize,” not “to apologize.”
Mistake 3: Splitting Infinitives Unnecessarily
Incorrect: She decided to quickly, efficiently, and with great enthusiasm, complete her project.
Correct: She decided **to complete** her project quickly, efficiently, and with great enthusiasm.
Explanation: While split infinitives are acceptable, overcomplicating a sentence can make it unclear. It’s often better to place modifiers after the infinitive for clarity.
Infinitives in Different Tenses
Infinitives themselves do not change tense, but they can be used in different tense structures to indicate time relationships.
Present Infinitive
The present infinitive is the most common form and is used to describe actions that are happening now or in general.
– She likes **to swim**.
Perfect Infinitive
The perfect infinitive (to have + past participle) is used to show that the action of the infinitive happened before the action of the main verb.
– She pretended **to have finished** the work.
Continuous Infinitive
The continuous infinitive (to be + present participle) is used to describe an ongoing action.
– He seems **to be running** late.
Perfect Continuous Infinitive
The perfect continuous infinitive (to have been + present participle) indicates an ongoing action that was happening before the action of the main verb.
– She claimed **to have been working** all night.
Advanced Uses of Infinitives
Infinitives have some advanced uses that can add complexity and nuance to your writing and speaking.
Using Infinitives After Certain Adjectives
Infinitives often follow adjectives to provide more information about the subject.
1. She is eager **to learn**.
2. He was surprised **to see** her.
Infinitive of Purpose
Infinitives can be used to express purpose, explaining why something is done.
1. She went to the store **to buy** groceries.
2. He studied hard **to pass** the exam.
Using Infinitives After Question Words
Infinitives can follow question words like “what,” “where,” “how,” “who,” etc., to indicate indirect questions.
1. I don’t know **what to do**.
2. Can you tell me **how to get** there?
Conclusion
Mastering infinitive verbs is essential for anyone learning English. They are versatile and can serve various grammatical functions, including acting as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs. Understanding the difference between full and bare infinitives, recognizing common mistakes, and knowing how to use infinitives in different tenses and advanced structures will greatly improve your English proficiency.
Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you use infinitives correctly, the more natural they will become in your speech and writing. Keep experimenting with different structures and pay attention to how native speakers use infinitives. With time and effort, you’ll find that infinitives are a powerful tool in your language learning arsenal.
