Infinitive (abbreviated INF) is a linguistics term for certain verb forms existing in many languages, most often used as non-finite verbs. As with many linguistic concepts, there is not a single definition applicable to all languages.
Infinitives are never conjugated with -ed or -ing at the end because they are not used as verbs in a sentence. They’re one of the three types of verbals, which are verbs used as an adjective, noun or adverb. The other verbals are gerunds and participles.
What is an infinitive phrase?
An infinitive phrase is the infinitive form of a verb plus any complements and modifiers. An infinitive phrase can play the role of a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.
Here are some examples of infinitive phrases (shaded):
- He helped to build the roof.
- The officer returned to help the inspectors.
- Let me show you the best way to fit a door quickly.
- She tells you to dance like no one is watching.
What is an infinitive verb?
An infinitive verb is essentially the base form of a verb with the word "to" in front of it. When you use an infinitive verb, the "to" is a part of the verb. It is not acting as a preposition in this case.
Some examples of infinitive phrases in English are given below – these may be based on either the full infinitive (introduced by the particle to) or the bare infinitive (without the particle to).
Infinitive uses without "to"
Infinitive verbs that appear without the preceding “to” are known as bare infinitives.
1- Infinitive comes after "auxiliaries/modals", examples:
- He can run very fast.
- As a boy he could run very fast.
- I may fly to Africa this summer.
- I might fly to Africa this summer.
- I must go now.
- You mustn't smoke here.
- You needn't go.
- We shall sing a song.
- We should sing a song.
- She will cook a meal for his birthday.
- She would cook a meal for his birthday.
2. Infinitive comes after "DO", example:
- I don't know.
3. Infinitive comes after "cognitive verbs + object" (performance ends), examples:
- She feels the rain fall on her face
- I heard Peter sing a song.
- Mandy noticed the boy climb the tree.
- They saw him climb up the roof.
- He watched the thieves steal a car.
5. Infinitive comes after "let". Examples:
A: let + object
- Sandy let her child go out alone.
- The mother let her daughter decide on her own.
B: let's
- Let's go for a walk through the park.
6. Infinitive comes after "Make + the object", example:
- She made Peggy and Samantha clean the room.
- You made me come with you.
- Don't make me study that boring grammar book!
7. Infinitive after the expression "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.
8. "Why" is followed by the zero infinitive when making suggestions, examples:
- Why wait until tomorrow?
- Why not ask him now?
- Why leave before the end of the game?
Infinitive uses with "to"
Infinitive verbs with the preceding particle “to” (as in “to fly” and “to speak”) are known as full infinitives. When using infinitive verbs, the “to” is part of the verb and does not act as a preposition or begin a prepositional phrase.
1. To Infinitive comes after "First", example:
- Gagarin was the first to fly in a spaceship.
2. To Infinitive comes after "the last", example:
- Peter was the last to watch the film.
3. To Infinitive comes after "the next". Example:
- He is the next to get his passport.
4. To Infinitive comes after "adjectives", examples:
- I'm happy to be here.
- It's better not to smoke.
- It is good of you to talk to me.
5. To Infinitive comes after special verbs (such as (agree, choose, forget, hope, learn, promise, regret, want, ...), example:
- I am learning to drive a car.
6. To Infinitive comes after a "regret" when bad news is announced. Example:
- We regret to inform you that the flight to Cairo has been cancelled.
7. To Infinitive comes after "question tools" , example:
- I don't know what to say.
- Can you tell me how to get to the bus stop?
8. To Infinitive comes after "want/would like", example:
- I want you to help me.
9. To Infinitive comes after "the verb + the object", example:
- I helped my dad to clean the car.
List of verbs followed by Infinitives
Here is a quick list of verbs followed by infinitives:
- Acknowledge
- Admit
- Advise
- Agree
- Agree
- Agree
- Anticipate
- Appear
- Appear
- Appear
- Appreciate
- Arrange
- Arrange
- Arrange
- Ask
- Ask
- Ask
- Avoid
- Bear
- Begin
- Begin
- Begin
- Begin
- Can’t bear
- Can’t bear
- Can’t bear
- Can’t stand
- Can’t stand
- Can’t stand
- Care
- Care
- Care
- Cease
- Cease
- Cease
- Choose
- Choose
- Choose
- Claim
- Claim
- Claim
- Complete
- Consider
- Continue
- Continue
- Continue
- Decide
- Decide
- Decide
- Defer
- Delay
- Demand
- Demand
- Deny
- Deserve
- Deserve
- Deserve
- Discuss
- Dislike
- Dread
- Dread
- Dread
- Enjoy
- Entail
- Expect
- Expect
- Expect
- Fail
- Fail
- Fail
- Finish
- Forget
- Forget
- Forget
- Forget
- Get
- Get
- Happen
- Happen
- Happen
- Hate
- Hate
- Hate
- Hate
- Hesitate
- Hesitate
- Hesitate
- Hope
- Hope
- Hope
- Intend
- Intend
- Intend
- Intend
- Involve
- Justify
- Keep
- Learn
- Learn
- Learn
- Like
- Like
- Like
- Like
- Love
- Love
- Love
- Love
- Manage
- Manage
- Manage
- Mention
- Mind
- Miss
- Need
- Need
- Need
- Neglect
- Neglect
- Neglect
- Offer
- Offer
- Offer
- Plan
- Plan
- Plan
- Postpone
- Practice
- Prefer
- Prefer
- Prefer
- Prefer
- Prepare
- Prepare
- Pretend
- Pretend
- Pretend
- Promise
- Promise
- Promise
- Propose
- Propose
- Propose
- Quit
- Recall
- Recollect
- Recommend
- Refuse
- Refuse
- Refuse
- Regret
- Regret
- Regret
- Regret
- Remember
- Remember
- Remember
- Resent
- Resist
- Risk
- Sanction
- Seem
- Seem
- Seem
- Start
- Start
- Start
- Start
- Stop
- Suggest
- Swear
- Swear
- Swear
- Tend
- Tend
- Tend
- Threaten
- Threaten
- Threaten
- Tolerate
- Try
- Try
- Try
- Try
- Vow
- Vow
- Vow
- Wait
- Wait
- Wait
- Want
- Want
- Want
- Wish
- Wish
- Wish
- Would like
- Would like
- Would like
- Yearn
- Yearn
- Yearn
References