Infinitives
- Infinitives are a special form of verbs that can be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
- Made by adding the word to before the base verb but sometimes the base form of the verb is used alone.
- Useful when discussing actions without actually doing the action.
Types of infinitives
- Full infinitives and
- Bare infinitives
1. Full infinitives
- also known as to-infinitives
Used in the following situations
- To show purpose or intention
Mom left to buy milk.
I’m writing this email to tell you something important. - To modify nouns act as adjectives and adjective phrases. We need a hero to save us. Would you like something to drink? Verb + to + infinitive We planned to take a holiday. She decided to stay at home. Verb + noun + to + infinitive She wanted the children to learn the piano. I told him to ring the police. Two very common verbs – make and let – are followed by the infinitive without to. Verb + noun + infinitive My parents made me come home early. They wouldn't let me stay out late. The verb dare can be followed by the infinitive with or without to: Verb (+ to) + infinitive I didn't dare (to) go out after dark.
