Grammar IV (Infinitives)

Infinitives Part 1

An infinitive is a verb combined with the word to. Most often, an infinitive acts as a noun in the sentence. Less frequently, it acts as an adjective or an adverb.

• I want to go home early today.
• I hope to be chosen as a member.
• I prefer to go there earlier.
• You need to consider various rules in writing sentences.
• You have to explain your reasoning in detail.
• You might wish to act as a teacher.
• To leave for a vacation is my only wish at this time.
• A common mistake in a relationship is not to trust the other person.
• Help me to save the trees!
• To be mentally healthy, you must read books.
• Do you want me to fill out this form?
• Here is our to-do list.
• It was nice to meet you.
• It is time to move on.
• I am young enough to change my habits.
• Don’t forget not to make grammar mistakes.
• You are required to leave all your belongings here.
• I came to see a doctor today.
• You have to work harder to succeed.
• I need to take three more classes to finish my graduate study.
• I got closer to the speaker to listen clearly.
• Be sure to check if you have tickets.
• I am going to buy the new computer.

Generally, it is not common to split to and the verb except for when you want to emphasize the verb.

• I want you to immediately stop doing that.
• You have to seriously work hard to succeed.
• You need to definitely explain your reasoning in detail.

[Quiz 4.1]

Fill in the blanks.

1) I am going                      (learn) English.
2) It is common                      (make) a grammar mistake.
3) Did you come                     (clean) my house?

Infinitives Part 2

Commonly, an infinitive is used with the subject it. The sentence structure is "It is                      + infinitive.…" It refers to the infinitive. This expression is used in many ways.

• It is time to do math.
• It is common to think that way.
• It is appropriate to keep a low profile.
• It was nice to see you.
• It was my pleasure to meet you.
• It was my honor to have dinner with you.
• It is good to see you.
• It was great to go on a trip with them.

Both gerunds and infinitive phrases can function as nouns, in a variety of ways. Gerunds and infinitives can follow certain verbs but not others. You need to remember which verbs can be followed by only a gerund or only an infinitive.

Verbs that can precede only gerunds:
consider, suggest, enjoy, deny, avoid, miss, mind, practice, postpone, resist, finish, quit, give up, put off

Verbs that can precede only infinitives:
offer, decide, hope, attempt, promise, agree, afford, deserve, refuse, undertake, learn, fail, seem, appear, tend, pretend, choose, demand, desire, guarantee, claim, manage, determine, expect, want, wish

Verbs that can precede either gerunds or infinitives without changing meanings:

continue, like, love, begin, start, propose, neglect, stand, hate

Verbs that can precede either gerunds or infinitives but change meanings:

forget, remember, stop, try

• I stopped watching the movie. (I no longer watched the movie.)
• I stopped to watch the movie. (I stopped what I was doing to watch the movie.)

[Quiz 4.2]

Fill in the blanks.

1) I decided                      (leave) the job.
2) She pretended                      (know) me.
3) He desires                      (be) a professor.
4) The company considered                     (sell) its main building.
5) I expect                      (win) at this game.
6) Do you enjoy                      (take) care of your pet?
7) She hopes                      (go) on a vacation.
8) Did you fail                      (pass) the exam?
9) They want me                      (take) this position.
10) It is great                     (hear) that they agreed                      (share) the land.