Understanding the use of prepositions with infinitives can be one of the more challenging aspects of mastering English. For native speakers, it often comes naturally, but for learners, it can be a source of confusion. This article aims to demystify this topic by providing clear explanations and plenty of examples to help you grasp the nuances.
Infinitives and Prepositions: A Brief Overview
To begin, it’s important to understand what an infinitive is. In English, the infinitive form of a verb is its base form, often preceded by the word “to.” For example, “to eat,” “to run,” and “to think” are all infinitives. Infinitives can serve various functions in a sentence: they can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
Prepositions, on the other hand, are words that show the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. Common prepositions include “in,” “on,” “at,” “by,” “for,” “with,” and “about.” When combined with infinitives, prepositions can often cause confusion because the structure and usage rules can vary.
Common Prepositions with Infinitives
In English, certain prepositions are commonly used with infinitives. Below, we will delve into some of the most frequent combinations and how they are used.
About
The preposition “about” is often used with infinitives to indicate the subject of the infinitive verb. For example:
– She is about to leave.
– They are about to start the meeting.
In these sentences, “about” indicates something that is imminent or about to happen.
For
“For” is another preposition frequently used with infinitives. It is often employed to express purpose or reason. For example:
– This tool is used for cutting wood.
– He went to the store for buying groceries.
In these sentences, “for” explains the purpose of the action.
To
“To” is perhaps the most commonly used preposition with infinitives. It often serves to indicate the infinitive form of the verb itself. For example:
– I need to study for my exam.
– She loves to dance.
In these examples, “to” precedes the base form of the verb, creating the infinitive.
Prepositions and Gerunds
It is also important to distinguish between prepositions used with infinitives and those used with gerunds (verbs ending in -ing that function as nouns). Sometimes, a preposition will precede a gerund rather than an infinitive, changing the meaning of the sentence. For example:
– She is interested in learning Spanish. (gerund)
– She wants to learn Spanish. (infinitive)
Understanding whether to use a gerund or an infinitive after a preposition can be tricky and often depends on the verb or expression used.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
One of the most common mistakes language learners make is confusing when to use a gerund versus an infinitive after a preposition. Here are a few tips to help avoid these pitfalls:
Memorize Fixed Expressions
Some combinations of prepositions and verbs are fixed expressions. Memorizing these can help you use them correctly. For example:
– “Interested in” is always followed by a gerund: She is interested in reading.
– “Afraid of” is always followed by a gerund: He is afraid of flying.
Practice Makes Perfect
Practice is essential to mastering prepositions with infinitives. Writing sentences, doing exercises, and speaking with native speakers can all help reinforce the correct usage.
Consult Reliable Resources
Books, online resources, and language apps can provide valuable guidance and examples. Don’t hesitate to look up usage rules when in doubt.
Advanced Usage: Infinitive Phrases
In more advanced English, you’ll often encounter infinitive phrases, which are groups of words that include an infinitive and act as a single unit. These phrases can serve various functions, such as acting as subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence. For example:
– To win the championship was his ultimate goal. (subject)
– She wanted to travel the world. (object)
– His dream is to become a doctor. (complement)
Understanding how to use these phrases correctly will add complexity and variety to your language skills.
Infinitive Phrases as Subjects
When an infinitive phrase functions as the subject of a sentence, it often provides a clear and concise statement of purpose or intent. For example:
– To learn a new language takes time and dedication.
– To succeed in business requires hard work and determination.
In these examples, the infinitive phrases (“to learn a new language” and “to succeed in business”) act as the subjects of the sentences.
Infinitive Phrases as Objects
Infinitive phrases can also function as objects of verbs, providing additional information about the action. For example:
– She decided to join the club.
– They plan to renovate the house next year.
Here, the infinitive phrases (“to join the club” and “to renovate the house”) serve as the objects of the verbs “decided” and “plan.”
Infinitive Phrases as Complements
When used as complements, infinitive phrases can provide additional details about the subject or object of a sentence. For example:
– His goal is to master the piano.
– Her ambition is to become a scientist.
In these sentences, the infinitive phrases (“to master the piano” and “to become a scientist”) serve as complements, providing more information about the subject.
Special Cases: Verbs Followed by Infinitives
Certain verbs are often followed directly by infinitives, without the need for a preposition. Understanding these special cases can help you construct sentences more accurately. Some common verbs that fall into this category include:
Want
The verb “want” is typically followed by an infinitive to express desire or intention. For example:
– I want to visit Paris.
– She wants to learn how to cook.
Need
Similarly, “need” is followed by an infinitive to indicate necessity. For example:
– We need to finish the project by Friday.
– He needs to see a doctor.
Hope
The verb “hope” is followed by an infinitive to express aspiration or wish. For example:
– They hope to travel next summer.
– She hopes to get a promotion.
Complex Sentences with Infinitives
As you become more advanced in your language learning, you’ll encounter complex sentences that use infinitives in various ways. Understanding how to construct and interpret these sentences will enhance your fluency.
Using Infinitives to Express Purpose
Infinitives are often used to express the purpose of an action. This can add clarity and detail to your sentences. For example:
– She went to the store to buy some milk.
– He studied hard to pass the exam.
In these examples, the infinitive phrases (“to buy some milk” and “to pass the exam”) explain the purpose of the actions.
Infinitives with Adjectives
Infinitives can also be used with adjectives to provide additional information or context. For example:
– It is important to stay hydrated.
– She was happy to help.
In these sentences, the infinitives (“to stay hydrated” and “to help”) add context to the adjectives “important” and “happy.”
Infinitives with Nouns
When used with nouns, infinitives can function as modifiers, providing more details about the noun. For example:
– He had a chance to win.
– She has a plan to travel the world.
Here, the infinitives (“to win” and “to travel the world”) modify the nouns “chance” and “plan,” respectively.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of prepositions with infinitives is a crucial step in becoming proficient in English. By understanding the rules and practicing regularly, you can overcome the challenges associated with this aspect of the language. Remember to pay attention to fixed expressions, practice consistently, and consult reliable resources when needed.
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, the ability to use prepositions with infinitives correctly will enhance your communication skills and make your speech and writing more fluent and natural. Keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes—each one is an opportunity to learn and improve.
