An infinitive phrase will begin with an infinitive (to + simple form of the verb) and include objects and/or modifiers. Here are some examples:
To smash a spider.
To kick the ball past the dazed goalie.
To lick the grease from his shiny fingers despite the disapproving glances of his girlfriend Gloria .
Infinitive phrases can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. Look at these examples:
To finish her shift without spilling another pizza into a customer's lap is Michelle's only goal tonight. (To finish her shift without spilling another pizza into a customer's lap functions as a noun because it is the subject of the sentence.)
Daniella hopes to win the approval of her mother by switching her major from fine arts to pre-med. (To win the approval of her mother functions as a noun because it is the direct object for the verb hopes.)
To get through Dr. Peterson's boring history lectures, Ryan drinks a triple espresso before class and stabs himself in the thigh with a sharp pencil whenever he catches himself drifting off. (To get through Dr. Peterson's boring history lectures functions as an adjective because it modifies Rya 20420d321u n.)
Kelvin, an aspiring comic book artist, is taking Anatomy and Physiology this semester to understand the interplay of muscle and bone in the human body. (To understand the interplay of muscle and bone in the human body functions as an adverb because it modifies the verb is taking.)
The INFINITIVE form of a verb is the form, which follows to:
to ask
to believe
to cry
to go
to protect
to sing
to talk
to wish
This form is indistinguishable from the base form. Indeed, many people cite this form when they identify a verb, as in "This is the verb to be", although to is not part of the verb.
Infinitives with to are referred to specifically as TO-INFINITIVES, in order to distinguish them from BARE INFINITIVES, in which to is absent:
To-infinitive Bare infinitive
Help me to open the gate. Help me open the gate.
Introduction:
This lesson deals with verbs which take the gerund and verbs which take to-infinitive. The section gerund, to-infinitive or infinitive without to deals with verbs which can take both gerund and to-infinitive and explains the use of the infinitive without to.
Gerund:
A gerund is a noun formed from a verb.
Infinitive + -ing:
Finding a nice hotel is often difficult.
The negative of a gerund is made by putting not before the gerund.
Naomi regretted not being with her brother.
The gerund is used:
1. As (part of) the subject of a sentence:
Paying all bills in time is important.
2. As (part of) the object of a sentence after certain verbs:
The thief admitted stealing the money.
The manager could not face going bankrupt.
admit
appreciate
avoid
can't face
can't help
can't help
can't stand
carry on
confess
consider
delay
deny
detest
dislike
dread
enjoy
escape
excuse
fancy
feel like
finish
forgive
give up
imagine
involve
involve
it's (not) worth
it's no good
it's no use
justify
keep (continue)
keep on
leave off
mention
mind
miss
postpone
practise
put off
quit
resent
resist
risk
save
suggest
there's no
tolerate
understand
3. After prepositions:
We succeeded in selling all the goods.
Mr Roberts objects to being treated like that.
Some verbs are followed by to + infinitive:
I learnt/learned to drive when I was 18.
My boss asked the secretary to stay for dinner.
agree
aim
appear
arrange
ask
attempt
beg
can't afford
can't wait
cause
choose
claim
decide
demand
expect
fail
forget
guarantee
happen
help
hesitate
hope
learn
long
manage
need
neglect
offer
omit
plan
prepare
pretend
promise
prove
refuse
seek
seem
swear
tend
threaten
train
try
turn out
undertake
want
want
wish
would hate
would like
would love
would prefer
1. Some verbs take either to-infinitive or gerund without change in meaning:
After a while the journalists began to ask questions.
After a while the journalists began asking questions.
begin
bother
can't bear
cease
continue
fear
intend
propose
start
2. After some verbs either to-infinitive or gerund can be used. With these words the gerund is used for statements in general, to-infinitive is used if the statement is true in one specific situation.
I like going to trade fairs. (trade fairs in general)
I like to go to the trade fair tomorrow. (one specific trade fair)
hate
like
love
prefer
3. Some verbs take the gerund when there is no object but get to-infinitive when there is an object.
We allow smoking here.
We allow our personnel to smoke here.
advise
allow
encourage
permit
recommend
4. After some verbs either to-infinitive or gerund can be used but the meaning of the sentence changes.
Do you remember giving the documents to Frederick last week? (referring to the past)
Remember to give the documents to Frederick tomorrow? (referring to the future)
We stopped buying a drink at Mr William's shop. (we no longer buy drinks there)
We stopped to buy a drink at Mr William's shop. (we stopped because we wanted to have a drink)
The speaker went on talking about his favourite subject. (continue with the same action)
After the speech, Richard went on to talk informally to the guests. (do something different)
Jack needs to buy a new computer (he has to buy a new one)
This computer needs repairing. (it has to be repaired)
Sorry, I did not mean to hurt your feelings. (mean = to intend)
Buying that company means making higher profits. (mean = to entail, to have as a consequence)
We regret to inform you that the Multi Ray is no longer available. (to be sorry about something)
I regret wasting so much time when I was a student. (to feel sorry about something)
Our Sales Manager is trying to find another job. (to attempt)
When the computer jams, try closing an application with Control-Alt-Delete. (attempting a solution)
5. With verbs of perception (see/watch/hear/ listen/notice/feel/smell) followed by an object, the infinitive or the gerund can be used, but there is a difference in meaning. Use of the infinitive indicates that a complete action was witnessed. The gerund indicates that only part of the action was witnessed.
feel
hear
listen to
notice
see
smell
watch
I watched my boss smoke a cigar. (I started watching when he lit the cigar and stopped when my boss
stopped smoking)
I watched my boss smoking a cigar. (I only watched briefly)
I heard Mary play a song on the guitar. (I heard the entire song)
I heard Mary playing a song on the guitar. (I heard part of the song)
Infinitive without to is used also used after the following verbs.
can/ could
had better
may/ might
must
needn't
shall/ should
will/ would
We had better solve this problem before Mr. De Graaf arrives.
The government should change these regulations.
I had to ask the boys (stop)________ (ride) _________ their mini-scooters in the corridor.
Don't start (try) ______ (learn) _______ algebra before you have finished (learn) _________ (do) _______ simple things in arithmetic.
3. We can't think of (buy) ______ a new house before (sell)_________ the old one.
4. I'd love (have) _________ the opportunity of (meet) ________ you again.
5. Our teacher has promised (help) ________ us (prepare)_________for next week's test.
6. I hate (get up) ________ early in winter and (get ready) __________ in the dark.
7. If you can't fix that old thing, try (hit) ________ it with a hammer!
8. I saw her (sit) _________ at the bus stop, and I heard her (tell) _______ her friend not to wait for her.
9. Poor Charles! The police suspected him of (try) _________ (sell) _______ stolen bicycles.
10.Can you manage (finish) _______ (pack) _______ these parcels alone?
1. A student can't learn (spell) _______ without (be) ______ taught.
2. On (hear) ______ her (speak) _________ everyone took her for a foreigner.
3. Have you ever watched people (try) __________ (catch) __________ fish?
If you dislike (peel) _________ onions, try (wear) ______ glasses and (hold) ________ them under water
while (do) _______ so.
I promise to give you an opportunity (ask) ______ questions before (leave) ______ the classroom after
(listen) _______ to my lesson.
6. It's stupid (risk) ______ (break) _______ a leg with those mini-scooters.
7. I must remember (remind) _______ the students that this grammar point needs (revise) _______ .
8. We mustn't risk (be) _____ late for the concert.
9. I don't want (miss) (hear) ______ the choir again.
10. I advise you (wait) _______ before (decide) ______ (accept) ______ that position at the supermarket.
1.We were interested _____ a lot of money.
to earn in earning earning
2.I am looking forward _____ to New Zealand.
to go for going to going
3.They cannot afford _____ a new car just now.
buying to buy by buying
4.He prevented me _____ the room.
entering to enter from entering
5.We enjoyed _____to France for the holidays.
going to go in going
6.I refused _____ for the broken goods.
paying to pay with paying
7.She avoided _____ the same mistakes again.
to make by making making
8.I am used _____ about all the things he has done.
to hear in hearing to hearing
9.They disliked _____ to spend so much money.
to have having to having
10.We practised _____ English grammar exercises.
doing to do in doing
An infinitive is the simple present form of a verb used as a noun, adjective, or adverb. The verb of the infinitive is normally preceded by the word to. When the infinitive follows some verbs as the direct object, the to may be dropped.
An infinitive phrase is the infinitive plus any complements and any modifiers of the infinitive and complements.
As a Noun: He helped to write the program.
As an Adjective: Lydia was looking for a way to earn money.
As an Adverb: He shouted to get our attention.
To Dropped: He helped write the program.
In the above examples, the infinitive is bold and the infinitive phrase is underlined.
While the word subject in grammar normally applies to a sentence, it is possible for an infinitive to have a subject.
When an infinitive or an infinitive phrase follows certain verbs, a different person or thing than the subject of the sentence may do the action of the infinitive. This doer of the infinitive's action follows the verb and comes before the infinitive. This is known as the subject of the infinitive.
Keep in mind that when an infinitive follows a verb, sometimes the word to is dropped from the infinitive.
A personal pronoun is in the objective case when it is a subject of the infinitive.
Examples: We wanted Bill to go to the airport.
Simon helped me to record the data.
No one saw the prisoner escape.
Simon helped me record the data.
(In the last two examples, the word to has been dropped.)
First and foremost, an infinitive is the form of the verb, but it is not a verb. Second, an infinitive can be a noun, an adjective or an adverb. And finally, it is always "to" plus a verb.
[In the following examples, the infinitive is bold and the verb is underlined.]
Supporters of the Internet fail to mention that it contains a lot of trash packaged to look like reliable information. The subject is SUPPORTERS. The verb is FAIL. The infinitive TO MENTION is the object of the verb. Therefore, it is a noun.
Students need to learn the parts of speech.
The subject is STUDENTS. The verb is NEED. The infinitive TO LEARN is the object of the verb. Therefore, it is a noun.
The ants have arrived to grab the leftovers from the picnic.
The subject is ANTS. The verb is HAVE ARRIVED. The infinitive TO GRAB is an adverb explaining why or where they have arrived.
That attorney has the right to represent you.
The subject is ATTORNEY. The verb is HAS. RIGHT is the object of the verb and the infinitive TO REPRESENT is an adjective telling us what kind of right.
Lawsuits are useful to punish corporations or to represent consumers.
The subject is LAWYERS. The verb is ARE. USEFUL is type of adjective known as a predicate adjective and the infinitive TO PUNISH is an adverb modifying that adjective.
Farmers are splicing genes and manipulating seeds to create more robust plants.
The subject is FARMERS. The verbs are ARE SPLICING and MANIPULATING. TO CREATE tells us why they are doing this. Therefore, it is an adverb.
THE OBJECT OF THE VERBAL
Verbals are forms of verbs used as other parts of speech such as nouns, adjectives or adverbs.
In some cases a noun will follow the verbal and "receive" it. That noun is called the object of the verbal.
As with other objects, it can be identified by asking what? or who? about the verbal.
[In the following examples, the object of the verbal is bold and the verbal is underlined.]
Running the mile is a requirement for the course. RUNNING is a verb used as a noun (a gerund) and MILE is the object of that verbal.
Most doctors warn their patients to quit smoking. You can find the object of the verbal by asking the question what about the verbal. e.g. TO QUIT what? SMOKING.
Planning a surprise attack, the children hid behind their baby-sitter's chair. The participle PLANNING modifies the subject (CHILDREN), but the object of PLANNING, in other words, the thing "receiving" PLANNING, is the object of the verbal ATTACK.
The contract offered the workers remains unsigned. CONTRACT is the subject of the sentence and REMAINS is the verb. OFFERED is a participle modifying the subject. WORKERS is the object of that verbal.
Sometimes the object of a verbal may be an entire clause rather than a single word.
[In the following examples, the object of the verbal is bold and the verbal is underlined.]
Hoping the child was still alive, the rescue crews dug through the rubble. The participle HOPING modifies the subject (crews). The object of HOPING (i.e. the thing "receiving" HOPE) is the entire idea: THE CHILD WAS STILL ALIVE.
Tamala never stopped to think she might be in danger. TO THINK is an infinitive. Question: TO THINK WHAT? Answer: She might be in danger.
Patrick wondered whether signing the contract would make him rich. SIGNING is a gerund. The contract is the object of the gerund. It "receives" the gerund.
Not every verbal has an object. Sometimes, verbals are followed by prepositional phrases.
[In the following examples, the verbal is underlined and the prepositional phrase is bold.]
Prepared for the worst, the neighbors waited outside of the burning house. The participle PREPARED modifies the subject (neighbors). Rather than answering the question what, the information following the verbal describes PREPARED. In other words, what kind of prepared was it.
Alan, described by most as a "fanatic," had his entire body tattooed green and gold. DESCRIBED modifies ALAN. The prepositional phrase tells how or by whom he was described.
INFINITIVE PHRASE
The infinitive phrase includes the infinitive and the object of the infinitive or any modifiers related to the infinitive. [In the following examples, the infinitive is bold and the infinitive phrase is underlined.]
Even in New York, fans did not manage to buy the hype.
TO BUY is the direct object of the verb DID MANAGE. THE HYPE is the object of the infinitive.
The seemingly simple decision to appoint a Democrat caused controversy.
TO APPOINT is an adjective modifying DECISION. A DEMOCRAT is the object of the infinitive.
The gap provides a way to give Democratic candidates an edge in close elections
TO GIVE is an adjective modifying WAY. The object of the infinitive is CANDIDATES.
The respondents believe their neighbors are willing to vote for a woman.
TO VOTE is an adverb modifying the predicate adjective WILLING. In other words, it tells us the
degree to which they are willing.
Two nonprofit organizations from opposite sides of the political spectrum plan to release a report blasting
25 Army Corps of Engineers water projects
TO RELEASE is the direct object of the verb PLAN. REPORT is the object of the infinitive. FYI:
BLASTING is a participle modifying REPORT.
The corps has been trying to recast itself in a more ecosensitive light.
TO RECAST is the direct object of the verb HAS BEEN TRYING. ITSELF ( a reflexive
pronoun) is the object of the infinitive.
Now Congress has to decide whether it wants to continue to be part of problem, or if it wants to be part of the solution.
TO CONTINUE is the direct object of the verb WANTS. TO BE the object of the
infinitive TO CONTINUE. PART is the object of the infinitive TO BE.
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