One of the non-finite forms of a verb is the infinitive. This part of speech lives on its own and does not agree with the subject. But the meaning of the predicate largely depends on its correct use. How to correctly use the initial form of a verb in a sentence?
When studying English, many people avoid the topic of impersonal verb forms, although it is one of the main ones. Why? Difficulty of use. So, let's look at everything in more detail.
The semantic side of the infinitive in English
As already mentioned, this part of speech has no person, number and time. The verbs presented in the dictionary are infinitive. In most cases in a sentence it is easy to recognize it by the accompanying particle to.
I decided to buy it.
Negative form: not + to + infinitive
Why not to come to her?
Forms
Accompanying the predicate, this verb form complements the main action. Let's look at examples of infinitives based on to play:
Indefinite Infinitive Active: to play
Indefinite Infinitive Passive: to be played
Continuous Infinitive: to be playing
Perfect Infinitive Active: to have played
Perfect Infinitive Passive: to have been played
Perfect Continuous Infinitive: to have been playing
1. For expression simultaneous actions with a verb - predicate Indefinite is used
Infinitive Active. And the Indefinite Passive Infinitive, which also expresses simultaneous actions, also indicates that it is performed on the subject.
I wanted to play chess. – I wanted to play chess.
She hated to be laughed at because of her ignorance. “She hated it when people laughed at her because of her lack of education.”
2. If it is necessary to express long-term simultaneous action with a predicate, the Continuous Infinitive is used.
It was pleasant to be breathing fresh air again. “It was nice to breathe fresh air again.”
3. Feel free to use the perfect infinitive to describe events that preceded the predicate. The Perfect Infinitive Passive is similar, which also expresses an action performed on the subject.
I intended to have put up an advertisement yesterday. “I intended to make an announcement yesterday.”
Judy was happy to have been sent to college. Judy was glad she was sent to college.
Note: But after to mean, to expect, to intend, to hope, which are in the Past Indefinite (after which the Perfect Infinitive is used) or in the Past Perfect (after which the Indefinite Infinitive is used), this verb form indicates that the intention or hope was not fulfilled.
4. To express an action that lasted until the main The infinitive of the verb is used in the Perfect Continuous Infinitive form.
She was sorry to have been treating him so cruelly for so long. “She regretted treating him cruelly for so long.”
Cases of use with to and without to (Bare infinitive)
There are exceptions to almost every rule of English grammar. In some cases, the to particle is omitted, but the meaning is preserved. So, after modal verbs, after the expressions had better, would rather, would sooner, cannot but, to do nothing but; after auxiliary verbs, to feel, to hear, to see, to let, to help; in questions with why, to bid (offer), to make and to have (meaning force), to know (meaning notice), do not put to:
I let him read this book. – I allowed him to read this book.
You had better talk to your best friend. – You better talk to your best friend.
I made him give up drinking. “I made him stop drinking.”
Note: If to know, to hear, to see, to make are in the passive voice, then to + Infinitive is used.
Functions of the infinitive in English
1. As a subject, this part of speech can appear at the beginning of a sentence, but more often after It.
2. As part of a nominal predicate.
3. As part of a complex verbal predicate with modal verbs and with verbs denoting the beginning or ending.
4. As an addition, the Infinitive in English is in most cases used after to learn, to beg, to order, to request, to ask, to feel, to learn.
5. As a definition.
6. As a circumstance.
Even to think of gave him happiness. “Even the thought of it brought him happiness.” (subject)
Lisa is not a woman to suffer in silence. – Lisa is not the kind of woman who will endure. (definition)
Laws are not made to be broken; laws are made to stay within. – Laws are not made to be broken; laws are made to be obeyed. (circumstance)
Don't be afraid to use this part of speech! Remember - the correct use of the initial form of a verb largely depends on the meaning of the sentence, on the place where it appears and the words that accompany it. Also, the infinitive in English is often used in turns. These designs require additional study.
Good afternoon friends! Today I will tell you about what the infinitive form of a verb is in English. What do you remember when you hear the phrase “infinitive verb”? Exactly! The initial form of the word, answering the question “what to do?”, “what to do?”.
By and large, this general characteristic is also true for the British language. But, here it should be noted that different sources identify in the English language several varieties of the indefinite form of the word expressing action, namely:
- The initial one, from which actions are subsequently formed at all times.
- A participle is a verbal adjective.
- Gerund is a verbal noun.
And yet, based on the meaning of the term itself, it is more correct to consider the first of the proposed options to be “an indefinite form of the verb” (Infinitive). Such “initial action words” are called infinitives, which translates as Infinitive. We observe a complete coincidence of translations of these grammatical terms. Our conversation today will be about the infinitive.
When do we use it?
Most often you can find an infinitive as part of a complex predicate, translated in such a way that it answers the questions “what to do?”, “What to do?”:
Robert likes to collect coins. Robert loves collecting coins.
Ann wanted to catch a taxi. Anna wanted to catch a taxi.
Sometimes you can find the initial form of a verb in another role in a sentence, for example:
Did you notice that in the highlighted words there is an unchangeable “to” part? This is a particle that indicates the infinitive. When you encounter it in a statement before a word denoting an action, be sure that it answers one of the questions above.
We miss, but we don’t forget
But in a number of cases we omit this particle in sentences. Review the table below. It contains words that oblige us to use the “shortened infinitive” or bare infinitive, and example sentences.
| to particles are not required: | Example: | Translation: |
| Modal verbs: can (could) - be able, must - must, may (might) - possible, shall (should) - should, will (would) - should | My mother can sing
as a singer. You should stay in bed | My mom can sing
as a singer. You should stay in bed. |
| Make - force, let - allow | She makes me tidy
my room. Let me see . | She makes me take away
your room. Allow me take a look . |
| Words of perception, for example see (see), feel (feel) as part of a Complex object, so the translation of the sentences is somewhat different from other examples. | She saw him knock
the door. I felt he look at me. | She saw him knocked
in the door. I felt that he looks on me. |
| Help (help), dare (dare) | Children always help their mother clean the house. | Children always help their mother take away house. |
It's all simple, isn't it? Then let's go a little deeper into the grammatical varieties of infinitive.
Modified indeterminate?
Unlike Russian, in British the initial form of the verb has several varieties. Their number for each individual word depends on whether it can have a passive voice or whether it can be continuous. Their maximum number is six. The table of types of infinitive will help you understand them.
As can be seen from the diagram, there are only two types of indefinite verb in the passive voice.
I hope my story helped you understand what an indefinite form of a verb is in English.
Practice English with your friends and you will be able to use any type of infinitive in your speech easily and naturally.
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This article will tell you about the infinitive in English.
The infinitive is the indefinite form of the verb. This form expresses action but does not show person or number. The infinitive answers the questions “what to do?”, “what to do?”: to run– run/come running, to cook– cook/cook. In a sentence, the infinitive can be used with a particle to and without her. In the article “” we talked in detail about these rules.
The infinitive can freely “travel” around the sentence. Typically it plays the role of:
- Subject
To walk alone late at night is very dangerous. – Walk Alone late at night is very dangerous.
- Parts of the predicate
My decision is to stay here for a couple of days. - My decision - stay here for a couple of days.
- Add-ons
Many people hate to lose. - Many people hate lose.
- Definitions
She was the best to solve this problem. - She is the best decided this task.
- Circumstances
You can break this model. It was made to be tested. – You can break this model. She was done for testing.
Now we will move on to the most interesting part of our article - the infinitive forms.
Infinitive forms in English
In English, the infinitive has no less than four forms: simple ( simple), long ( continuous), perfect ( perfect), perfect continuous ( perfect continuous). They can exist in reality ( active) and passive voices ( passive).
Let's look at the table showing the verb to ask(ask) in different forms.
| Infinitive | Simple | Continuous | Perfect | Perfect Continuous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active | to ask | to be asking | to have asked | to have been asking |
| Passive | to be asked | to be asked | to have been asked | to have been asked |
Russian does not have such a variety of infinitive forms as English. For this reason, when translating, we will most often use a simple infinitive or a verb in the personal form.
To be fair, it should be said that the continuous and perfect continuous passive infinitives are used extremely rarely in English.
Let's find out more about the forms themselves and cases of their use:
- Simple Infinitive– simple infinitive
This is the form that we are used to seeing in the dictionary. It is usually used to indicate action in the present or future tense.
I am really glad to see you again. - I am very happy see you again.
This work should be done immediately. – This work should do immediately.
- Continuous Infinitive– long infinitive
The continuous infinitive indicates a continuous action. This infinitive, like the simple one, denotes an action in the present or future tense.
He must be still reading a magazine. - He's probably still is reading magazine.
Please note that according to the classical rules between a particle to and other words are not used as infinitives. But in modern spoken language an adverb may appear between them. This sentence construction is not considered an error, but in formal English it is better to avoid splitting the infinitive.
- Perfect Infinitive– perfect infinitive
The perfect infinitive names an action that occurred before the moment of speech indicated in the sentence or before another action.
I am sorry to have told him this secret. - I'm sorry that I told this secret to him.
There is a drawing on the table. This sketch must have been made by George. - There is a drawing on the table. This sketch must be was made George.
- Perfect Continuous Infinitive– perfect continuous infinitive
This infinitive shows an action that lasts until a specific moment or other action in the present.
He is dissatisfied to have been living here for five years. - He is very dissatisfied with the fact that lives here for five years.
In conclusion, we invite you to watch a video in which the teacher Alex talks about the features of infinitives in the active and passive voices. And don’t forget to take a little test that will help you remember the infinitive forms better.
Test
Infinitive in English: forms and their use
The infinitive is an impersonal form of a verb, formed from a verbal noun. This concept, as is known, is also characteristic of the Russian language, where it is customary to call it the indefinite, or zero verb form, since it answers the questions “what to do?” or “what should I do?”, that is, he does not bow down. But if in Russian the use of the infinitive is quite standard and does not differ in any peculiarities, then the infinitive in English is perhaps one of the most important and sometimes difficult topics when it comes to grammar of a higher level of complexity. Therefore, you should become more familiar with the features of this impersonal form of the verb, describe how it is used, and give examples of typical cases.
Active forms of the English infinitive
Oddly enough, time in English can be represented not only through a regular verb, but also through a verbal structure such as an infinitive. For this purpose, there are special forms of the infinitive in English, each of which has its own specific framework.
Indefinite Infinitive
the same standard and familiar form, the so-called Simple Infinitive, or indefinite. The essence of education is extremely simple: the particle to is added to the verb, and questions will be asked in the same way as in Russian: “what to do?” or “what should I do?” For example:
· He wants to write another letter - He wants to write another letter
· Did you really try to open this can – Did you really try to open this can?
Continuous Infinitive
This more non-standard construction is used in the case when it is necessary to show duration and is used to display a process that occurred in the same period of time as another action. Its formula looks like this:
to + be + V(–ing)
· I happened to be listening to music at very moment he came - At the moment he came, I was just listening to music
· He seemed to be breathing hard - He seemed to be breathing very hard
Perfect infinitive
The perfect infinitive, or perfect, is another form uncharacteristic for the Russian language. Its main purpose is to display an already completed action that occurred before a certain moment. The table of irregular verbs will help you find the right verb form.
Note: Do not confuse the term Perfect Infinitive with Past. This universal name is suitable to reflect the preceding action, and cannot be compared with any of the Past Tenses.
The formula for the perfect infinitive is as follows:
to + have + V(3; –ed)
· I’m glad to have invited him yesterday - I’m glad I invited him yesterday
· He turned out to have left his home many years ago – It turned out that he left his home many years ago
Note: the first example shows the so-called Adjective Infinitive, when certain adjectives can have after them both an infinitive structure and a regular subordinating connection like “... that …”.
Perfect Continuous Infinitive
The last fourth active form is the Perfect Continuous Infinitive. As its name makes clear, it shows a long-term action, which, moreover, was performed before some mentioned moment in the past. This may sound quite massive, but in fact, the use of such a design is quite logical and justified.
Its diagram looks like this:
to + have + been + V(–ing)
· He happened to have been waiting for me for two hours when I came – It turned out that he was waiting for me 2 hours before I came
· They seemed to have been working all day night – It seemed like they had been working all day
Passive infinitive forms
In addition to the standard active forms of the infinitive, there is also a Passive Infinitive. These structures are named so for a reason. However, they have one more significant difference from the actual forms, if we do not take into account a different order of formation: the rule is that there are only two passive infinitive forms - Indefinite and Perfect; Passive Continuous and Passive Perfect Continuous do not exist, that is, continuous forms are not used and are, in principle, impossible.
Passive Indefinite Infinitive
This type is formed as follows:
to be + V(3; –ed)
· He wanted all the tasks to be done as soon as possible – He wanted all the tasks to be done as soon as possible
· It is pleasant to be loved – It’s nice to be loved
Passive Perfect Infinitive
The structure of this design is as follows:
to + have + been + V(3; –ed)
· The text seemed to have been translated earlier - It seemed that the text was translated earlier
· I found out the painting to have been stolen - I discovered that the painting was stolen
All these forms of Infinitive are used both in speech and in writing quite often, so you need to know their structure and rules of use.
Full and Bare Infinitive
In addition to forms, there is another very important point: the infinitive with the particle to is not always relevant, since sometimes this particle is not needed or simply cannot be used. So, the verb form that has to is called full Infinitive, and the one that does not have this particle is called bare Infinitive, that is, literally “naked”. For the second option, there are several main cases that affect the disappearance of to:
- The particle to is not possible after modal verbs (can, should, may, etc.). The exceptions are three verbs with a standard structure: to be to, have to, ought to.
- Auxiliary verbs (do, did, etc.) cannot be followed by to.
- Bare Infinitive is necessary after verbs of sensory perception: see, hear, watch, etc.
- After specific constructions: would rather/had better (“it would be better, it would be worth it”), cannot but (“I can’t help”), nothing but (“nothing but how”).
- In questions that begin with why: Why not come with us?
- Verbs after which the infinitive without the standard particle to is used: have or make, if the essence of the translation is to force”, as well as let in the meaning “to allow, allow”.
- After the verb know, if it means “to see, notice.”
- After the verb bid (“offer”).
Note: the bare infinitive rule is only relevant in Active Voice. In the passive voice, all the above cases have no weight, and the infinitive will be full.
Functions of the infinitive in a sentence
The functions of the infinitive in a sentence reflect what part of the sentence this non-finite form of the verb can act as. So, it is worth noting that the infinitive can play almost any role:
1. Subject:
To visit him is my greatest desire – To visit him is my greatest desire
2. Predicative:
His aim is to achieve the highest results – His goal is to achieve the highest results
3. Infinitive as part of a compound verbal predicate (full name – part of a compound verbal predicate):
a) part of a compound verbal modal predicate:
I cannot solve this problem by myself - I cannot solve this problem on my own
b) part of a compound verbal aspect predicate:
He began to complain about his neighbors - He began to complain about his neighbors
4. Addition (object):
She offered to help me in my future job - She offered to help me in my future job
5. Part of a complex object:
They asked me to come in time - They asked me to come on time
6. Infinitive in the attribute function:
I didn’t have any chance to correct all the mistakes - I didn’t have any chance to correct all the mistakes
7. Circumstance (adverbial modifier):
a) adverbial modifier of purpose:
Let’s set off right now in order/so that to catch the train – Let’s go right now to catch the train
b) adverbial modifier of result:
· She is too stupid to solve the problem - She is too stupid to solve this problem
· She is clever enough to help us – She is smart enough to help us
c) adverbial modifier of comparison/manner:
She looked back as if/as though to find somebody – She looked back as if she was looking for someone
d) adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances:
He had to move away, never to come back again - He was forced to leave and never returned to these places again
8. Introductory construction (parenthesis):
· To tell the truth, I’m not hungry – To be honest, I’m not hungry
· To cut a long story short, none of them congratulated me - In short, none of them congratulated me l
Infinitive constructions
This impersonal form of the verb is often included in special structures. Infinitive constructions in English are not difficult to form, but they have special principles of application that are important to consider.
Complex Object and Complex Subject
The first construction is called the Objective Infinitive construction, and more often it is called more simply - Complex Object, i.e. a complex addition. Its structure is as follows:
Verb + Object + Infinitive
· I ordered her to leave as soon as possible – I ordered her to leave as soon as possible
· She saw me open the door and come into the house - She saw me open the door and enter the house
The structure of the Subjective Infinitive construction is quite often called somewhat differently, namely Nominative with the Infinitive. One way or another, it has another, no less common and well-known name - Complex Subject. The difference with the previous construction is that while in Complex Object the emphasis is on the complement, here the main object is the subject. The formula for this design looks like this:
Subject + Passive Voice + Infinitive
· He is known to have left his business and move away a few years ago – It is known that he left his business and moved away a few years ago
· They were supposed to have been working all night before presenting their project – It was believed that they worked all night before presenting their project to us
For-to-Construction
The for-to-Infinitive construction is perhaps the simplest structure of the three. Such infinitive phrases are formed very simply, and their structure is hidden in the name itself:
Verb + for + Object + Infinitive
· Jennie was waiting for me to come back – Jenny was waiting for me to come back
· The best for him to do is forget about that fail - The best thing he can do is forget about his failure.
Thus, it can be noted that the infinitive, as an indefinite form of the verb, has quite a few features, each of which is very important. Knowledge of all these functions, structures and forms will allow you to successfully use this impersonal form of the verb and will not cause any problems when working with more complex texts and tasks.
Infinitive (infinitive) is an impersonal verb form that only names an action, without indicating either person or number. The infinitive answers questions what to do? what to do?:to read read, read; to write write, write; to buy buy, purchase; to sell sell, sell.
The infinitive has no special ending; its formal sign is the particle to, which has no independent meaning and does not take stress, but shows that the word following it is an infinitive. However, it often goes down. Thus, the particle to is not placed before the infinitive if it is used after modal verbs or verbs of sensory perception as part of the “complex object” construction.
The infinitive came from the verbal and retained the properties of this part of speech, performing in a sentence, like the infinitive in Russian, the syntactic functions of a noun.
№
p/p
FUNCTION
EXAMPLE
Subject
That skate is pleasant.
Ride It's nice to skate.
To read is a great pleasure.
Read (reading)
-
great pleasure.
Predicative
Your duty was to inform me about it immediately.
It was your responsibility to report tell me about it immediately.
The duty of every student is to master at least one foreign language.
The duty of every student is master at least one foreign language.
Part of a compound verb predicate in combination with modal verbs and with verbs expressing the beginning, continuation or end of an action ( to begin, to continue, to end, to stop) or attitude to an action indicated by the infinitive ( to want, to decide, to intend)
She began to translate the article.
She started transfer article.
She must translate this article today.
She must translate this article today.
He began to translate this article.
He started transfer this article.
Addition
I asked him to help me.
I asked him help to me.
He had promised me to draw this map.
He promised me draw this map.
Definition. The infinitive in the defining function comes after the word being defined
Not expressed a desire to help me.
He expressed his desire help to me.
The device to be tested has been brought to our library.
device, which must be experienced (testable), brought to our laboratory.
Circumstance of the goal or consequences. As an adverbial function, the infinitive can appear either at the beginning or at the end of a sentence. In the function of adverbial purpose, the infinitive may be preceded by conjunctions: in order, so as so that, in order to
I went to the station to see off a friend. I went to the station to see my friend off.
You must work much in order to master a foreign language. = In order to master a foreign language you must work much.
You have to work hard to master foreign language.
He went there so as to help you.
He went there to help to you.
№ |
PROPERTY |
EXAMPLE |
||
The infinitive of a transitive verb can be followed by a direct object |
I told him to post the letter. I was asked to send this letter. |
|||
The infinitive can be determined by a circumstance expressed by an adverb |
I asked him to speak slowly. He hoped to finish his work soon. |
|||
The infinitive has tense and voice forms. In English, transitive verbs have four forms in the active voice and two in the passive voice. |
Active |
Passive |
||
Indefinite |
to ask |
to be asked |
||
Continuous |
to be asking |
does not exist |
||
Perfect |
to have asked |
to have been asked |
||
Perfect |
to have been asking |
does not exist |
||
The infinitive can express an action that does not refer to a specific person or thing:
In most cases, however, the action expressed by the infinitive refers to a specific person or thing:
(The action expressed by the infinitive to go refers to the subject I.)
Ask him to come early. |
Ask him come early. |
(The action expressed by the infinitive to come refers to the object him.)
When an action expressed by an infinitive is performed by the person or thing to which it refers, the infinitive in the Active form is used:
When an action expressed by an infinitive is performed on the person or object to which it relates, then the infinitive is used in the Passive form:
FEATURES OF USING INFINITIVE FORMS |
||
№ |
CAN EXPRESS |
EXAMPLE |
INDEFINITE INFINITIVE |
||
Action (or state) simultaneous with the action indicated by the personal form of the verb (predicate) |
We want to learn. |
|
An action (or state) regardless of the moment of its commission |
We know aluminum to be one of the lightest metals. |
|
An action related to the future tense, after the modal verbs may, must, should, ought, as well as after the verbs to expect expect, assume, to intend to intend , to hope to hope , to want to want and a number of others |
You must leave tomorrow. I intend to begin the experiment. |
|
CONTINUOUS INFINITIVE |
||
An action in its development, occurring simultaneously with the action indicated by the verb in the personal form |
I knew him to be writing an article. |
|
PERFECT INFINITIVE |
||
Action preceding the action expressed by the verb in the personal form |
I know him to have written this article last night. |
|
After past tense of verbs to intend, to hope, to expect, to mean expresses an action that did not occur contrary to expectation, hope, intention or assumption |
I meant to have done it. |
|
The assumption that an action has already taken place. In combination with the modal verbs must and may is translated by a verb in the past tense with the words " probably, should be, perhaps" |
My watch must have stopped during the night. |
|
After modal verbs should, would, could, might, ought And was (were) expresses regret or reproach regarding an action that should or could have happened, but in fact did not happen. Translated into Russian by a verb in the subjunctive mood with the words “should”, etc. |
You might have asked me about it. |
|
PERFECT CONTINUOUS INFINITIVE |
||
Expresses an action that took place over a period of time previous action expressed by a verb in personal form |
I know him to have been writing this article for 2 hours. |
|
INFINITIVE WITH PARTICLE TO |
The infinitive is usually preceded by the particle to: to speak, to buy, to read.
If in a sentence there are two next to each other, connected by the union and or or, then the particle to before the second of them is usually omitted:
The particle to is sometimes used at the end of a sentence without a verb when that verb is previously mentioned in the sentence. In this case, the emphasis falls on it. This use of a particle is often found after the verbs to want, to wish, to mean, to try try, try, to allow, to be going to gather, ought should, to have in the meaning “must”, should (would) like I would like, etc.:
CASES OF USE OF THE INFINITIVE WITHOUT THE PARTICLE TO |
|||
№ |
CASE OF USE |
EXAMPLE |
|
After modal verbs must, can (could), may (might) and need |
You must do it at once. Not can speak German. May I come in? Need he come here? |
||
After the verbs to make to force, to let to allow, and sometimes also after to help to help (especially often in the USA) |
Not made me read this book. I let him go there. Help me (to) do it. |
||
In circulation “complex subject” after verbs of sensory perception: to see see, to watch observe, to hear hear, to feel feel and some others |
I saw her leave the room. I heard her sing. I felt him put his hand on my shoulder. |
||
When the verbs listed in paragraphs 2 and 3 are used in the passive voice, the following infinitive is used with the particle to |
Not was made to do it. Not was seen to leave the house. |
||
After the expressions had better, would rather, would sooner would prefer |
You had better go there at once. I would rather don't tell them about it. Didn't say he would sooner stay at home. |
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