Why is infinitive used

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An infinitive is a verbal consisting of the word to plus a verb in its simplest "stem" form and functioning as a noun, adjective, or adverb. The term verbal indicates that an infinitive, like the other two kinds of verbals, is based on a verb and therefore expresses action or a state of being.

However, the infinitive may function as a subject, direct object, subject complement, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Be sure not to confuse an infinitive—a verbal consisting of to plus a verb—with a prepositional phrase beginning with to, which consists of to plus a noun or pronoun and any modifiers. The infinitive phrase functions as the direct object of the verb intended. The infinitive phrase functions as an adjective modifying paper.

The infinitive phrase functions as the direct object of the verb agreed. To visit the Grand Canyon is my life-long dream. To understand statistics, that is our aim. Examples The children need a garden to play in. I would like a sandwich to eat. I don't have anything to wear. Would you like something to drink? It is good of you to talk to me. It is important to be patient. It is important for Jake to be patient with his little brother.

I am happy to be here. The dog is naughty to destroy our couch. That is a dangerous way to behave. What you said was a rude thing to say. This is the right thing to do. Those were the wrong kind of eggs to buy. Jim is the best person to hire. Examples There's too much sugar to put in this bowl. I had too many books to carry. This soup is too hot to eat. She was too tired to work. He arrived too late to see the actors. I've had enough food to eat.

She's old enough to make up her own mind. There isn't enough snow to ski on. You're not old enough to have grand-children! Examples She asked me how to use the washing machine. Do you understand what to do? Tell me when to press the button. We use the infinitive without to after modal verbs can , could , may , might , will , shall , would , should , must :.

Will you need to rent a car during your stay? We also use the infinitive without to after let , make and optionally help :. He lets us use some of his land to grow vegetables. I just want to help you to understand the situation better. Modality: introduction.

Auxiliary verbs. Had better. Would rather. Lemon juice is useful for cleaning stained surfaces in the kitchen. Not: … is useful for clean … or … for to clean …. Outsets and onsets! Infinitives with and without to.

Verbs followed by a to -infinitive Verbs followed by an infinitive without to. See also: Finite and non-finite verbs Non-finite clauses Perfect infinitive with to to have worked. See also: Modality: introduction Auxiliary verbs Had better Would rather.

Typical errors. See also: Prepositions. Popular searches 01 Adverbs and adverb phrases: position 02 Other , others , the other or another? Test your vocabulary with our fun image quizzes. Image credits. Word of the Day have a heart of gold. Blog Outsets and onsets! Read More. November 08, To top.

Adjectives and adverbs Adjectives and adverbs Easily confused words Nouns, pronouns and determiners Prepositions and particles Using English Verbs Words, sentences and clauses Adjectives and adverbs Easily confused words Nouns, pronouns and determiners Easily confused words Nouns, pronouns and determiners Prepositions and particles Using English Verbs Words, sentences and clauses Prepositions and particles Using English Verbs Words, sentences and clauses.

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Comparison: adjectives bigger , biggest , more interesting Comparison: clauses bigger than we had imagined Comparison: comparisons of equality as tall as his father As … as. Adverbs Adverb phrases Adverbs and adverb phrases: position Adverbs and adverb phrases: typical errors Adverbs: forms Adverbs: functions Adverbs: types Comparison: adverbs worse, more easily Fairly Intensifiers very, at all Largely Much , a lot , lots , a good deal : adverbs Pretty Quite Rather Really Scarcely Very.

Above or over? Across , over or through? Advice or advise? Affect or effect? All or every? All or whole? Allow , permit or let? Almost or nearly? Alone , lonely , or lonesome? Along or alongside? Already , still or yet? Also , as well or too? Alternate ly , alternative ly Although or though? Altogether or all together? Amount of , number of or quantity of? Any more or anymore?

Anyone , anybody or anything? Apart from or except for? Arise or rise? Around or round? Arouse or rouse? As or like? As , because or since? As , when or while? Been or gone? Begin or start?

Beside or besides?