What is Infinitive? Examples and Rules of Infinitive | Learn How to use Infinitive
Infinitive is the specific form of verbs when a word or group of words are used as the noun, adjective and adverb of a sentence. All types of verbs can be used as infinitive form even phrasal verbs. Infinitives are formed usually by adding to with the base form of a word but the main verb can also be used alone which is called bare infinitive. Students often feel it tricky to use proper infinitives correctly based on the context of a sentence. They will find this article useful where all rules of all types infinitive will be discussed with perfect examples.
Examples
To+ present form of any verb is the example of infinitive. Like to go, to eat, to sit, to sleep, to find, to secure, to examine, to carry, to cook, to study, to write etc.
I will go to market to buy some groceries.
I wish to sleep early at night.
Kinds of Infinitive
The main purpose of using infinitive is to discuss about certain action without that particular action being done. Infinitives are not changed according to the number and person of the subject. As to + v1 is not limited to the subject, this kind of verb form is called infinitive. There are two main kinds of infinitive which are 1) bare infinitive and 2) full infinitive.
1.) Bare infinitive:
Bare infinitive is the kind of infinitive where infinitive is formed without tobased on the root verb used in the sentence. Students may find it difficult for using with the right verbs of forming bare infinitive for which we have discussed all rules.
a) When we use any modal auxiliary verbs in a sentence then there is no need to use to+ v1 as infinitive rather only the modal verbs will be used.
Ex.
Can, will, may, might, should, would, could, must etc.
We would be late to reach there.
They can do this work with ease.
b) Some perception verbs like see, feel, taste, help, watch, hear etc. follows bare infinitive when their objects take action in a sentence. For that the structure main verb+ object+ bare infinitive will be followed.
Ex.
I heard the students arrive near the playground.
I felt him understand my pain.
c) There are some certain verbs like let, do, make which always use bare infinitive. Verbs let and make use direct object which is placed in between the main verb and bare infinitive.
Ex.
Let me go there please.
He made her to behave properly with everyone.
d) Though all relative pronouns use full infinitive the only relative pronoun why use bare infinitive for giving any suggestion in the form of a question.
Ex.
Why wear light clothes in cold weather?
Why not ask for help in critical situations?
2.) Full infinitive:
Full infinitive is formed by to+ v1 which is the most commonly known infinitive in English language. Be verbs like am, is, are, was, were when added with to are used as to be in infinitive form. Full infinitives are used for certain conditions which are mentioned below:
a) To show any purpose full infinitive is used for explaining the reason behind someone’s actions. In this case, infinitives are used as adverbs for describing the main verb.
Ex.
I wrote a letter to tell him my inner thoughts.
She left college earlier to attend a party.
b) As infinitives provide information for verbs they are also used for modifying nouns in a sentence. For that full infinitives play the roles of adjective or adjective phrase.
Ex.
We need a teacher to guide us.
Would you like something to eat now?
c) To describe any action in general full infinitive can also be used as the subject of a sentence.
Ex.
To learn something deeply needs concentration and patience.
To go there by late night is really hard for me.
d) Full infinitives are used after adjectives for giving extra information in certain contexts.
Ex.
I am very happy to see you.
Smartphones are easy to use with patience.
e) When adverbs like too and enough are used in a sentence then full infinitive will be used for explaining the reason.
Ex.
He is smart enough to understand the tricks of his colleagues.
She was intelligent enough to go through the course smoothly.
f) Full infinitive is used in phrases which starts with relative pronouns like who, whom, where, when, how except why.
Ex.
I do not know how to swim.
They did not know the time when to reach there.
Besides all the rules of bare infinitive and full infinitive there are other rules which are used for including infinitive in a sentence. To use infinitives correctly based on the context of a sentence students must follow the rules first. So, we have discussed all rules with perfect examples which are mentioned below:
i) Full infinitive is used as object of a verb.
Ex.
Birds love to fly in the sky.
ii) In definite context infinitive can be placed as object of a preposition.
Ex.
She was about to explain the whole incident.
iii) Infinitive can be used as a complement to a verb.
Ex.
Her kind nature is to help people selflessly.
iv) For referring objective complement normal infinitive is used.
Ex.
He motivated her to pursue her dream career.
v) For certain verbs like be verb+ used to, averse to, in addition to, addicted to, owing to, taken to, devoted to, with a view to etc. gerund will be followed in place of present verb form.
Ex.
We went to library with a view to finding good books.
He is used to getting up early in the morning.
vi) Perfect infinitive with the structure to + have+ v3 is used when the action expressed by the infinitive precedes the action of the finite verb within sentence.
Ex.
He denied to have bought the book yesterday.
I still remember the day to have met you in university.
vii) In certain contexts of mentioning passive action passive infinitive is used.
Ex.
He always wanted to be treated well in his own house.
viii) To join two sentences into simple form full infinitive is used.
Ex.
He went to Paris to visit the Eiffel tower.
She should go there to ask for mercy.
For more update follow net explanations page