The infinitive is one of the most versatile and essential verb forms in English grammar. It serves many purposes in sentences, making it a fundamental concept for English learners to understand. In this article, we will explore what an infinitive is, how it is used, and why mastering it is important for improving your English.
An infinitive is the base form of a verb, often preceded by the word “to.” It is the simplest form of the verb, without showing tense, mood, or subject. Infinitives can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in a sentence.
Examples:
- To run is her favorite activity. (Infinitive acting as a noun)
- I have a book to read. (Infinitive acting as an adjective)
- He works hard to succeed. (Infinitive acting as an adverb)
In English, there are two types of infinitives: the to-infinitive (e.g., to go, to write) and the bare infinitive (e.g., go, write).
Types of Infinitives
1. To-Infinitive
The to-infinitive is the most common form of an infinitive. It consists of “to” followed by the base verb.
Examples:
- She wants to learn English.
- They decided to travel abroad.
2. Bare Infinitive
The bare infinitive is the base form of a verb without “to.” It is often used after certain modal verbs (e.g., can, should, will) or specific verbs like make and let.
Examples:
- I can swim.
- He let me leave early.
Functions of Infinitives in Sentences
Infinitives are incredibly flexible and can take on multiple roles in sentences. Let’s explore their primary functions:
- As a Noun
When used as a noun, an infinitive can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.
Examples:
- To read improves your vocabulary. (Subject)
- She loves to cook. (Object)
- His dream is to travel the world. (Complement)
- As an Adjective
Infinitives can modify nouns, providing additional information or describing a purpose.
Examples:
- I need something to eat.
- She has a report to write.
- As an Adverb
Infinitives can modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, often explaining why, how, or to what extent.
Examples:
- He studies hard to succeed. (Explains why he studies hard)
- She is eager to help. (Modifies the adjective eager)
Split Infinitives
A split infinitive occurs when an adverb or other word is placed between “to” and the verb in an infinitive. While traditional grammar rules discouraged split infinitives, modern usage accepts them if they improve clarity or flow.
Examples:
- Traditional: He decided to quickly run to the store.
- Accepted: He decided to run quickly to the store.
Split infinitives can sometimes make a sentence sound more natural, but overusing them may confuse readers.
Infinitive Vs. Gerund
It’s important to distinguish between an infinitive and a gerund (the -ing form of a verb used as a noun).
In general, some verbs prefer infinitives, while others take gerunds. For example:
- Infinitive: He decided to leave early.
- Gerund: He enjoys leaving work on time.
Common Verbs Followed by Infinitives
Certain verbs are commonly followed by infinitives. Here are a few examples:
Verbs that take to-infinitives:
- Agree: They agreed to help us.
- Plan: She plans to visit her family.
- Want: I want to learn Spanish.
Verbs that take bare infinitives:
- Can: I can swim well.
- Let: He let me borrow his book.
- Make: She made him apologize.
Common Errors with Infinitives
- Using “to” with Bare Infinitives
Some verbs and modal verbs (like can, must, should) never use “to.”
Incorrect: I must to go now.
Correct: I must go now. - Confusing Infinitives and Gerunds
Different verbs require different forms, and mixing them can lead to errors.
Incorrect: She enjoys to read.
Correct: She enjoys reading. - Overusing Split Infinitives
While split infinitives are acceptable, they should be used sparingly for clarity.
Overused: He decided to quickly and confidently run the race.
Better: He decided to run quickly and confidently.
Importance of Infinitives
Understanding infinitives helps you:
- Express ideas clearly and effectively.
- Add variety and complexity to your sentences.
- Master verb forms for both speaking and writing.
Infinitives are used in almost every type of communication, from casual conversations to professional writing. Learning how to use them correctly can make your English more fluent and natural.
Practice Exercises
- Identify the Infinitive:
- She loves to sing in the shower.
- We decided to explore the city.
- Choose the Correct Form:
- I want (to go/going) to the park.
- He made her (to cry/cry).
- Rewrite the Sentence Using an Infinitive:
- He needs a book that he can read.
- They gave her some advice about how she could improve.
Conclusion
An infinitive is a powerful and flexible verb form that can serve as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Whether you’re forming perfect sentences or adding clarity to your writing, infinitives play a crucial role in effective communication. By practicing how to use infinitives correctly, you’ll enhance your fluency and confidence in English.
Frequently Asked Questions about Infinitive
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about infinitive.
What is an infinitive?
Infinitive is a form of verb which is made by adding a word to at the beginning of the base verb.
What are some examples of an infinitive?
Some of the examples of infinitve are; to go, to work, to swim.
What are the types of infinitives?
Infinitives are of two types: full infinitive and bare infinitive. A full infinitive is the regular infinitive, such as to work, to sing, to walk, etc. A bare infinitive, also known as zero infinitive, is just the base form of the word, and we don’t use words to with bare infinitives.
How infinitives work in a sentence?
Infinitives function as adjectives, nouns, and adverbs in the sentence. They are quite easy to use to describe an action instead of showing how an action occurs in the sentence.
I hope this article helped you to learn what an infinitive is, how to use it, and the importance of infinitives in English grammar.
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