Gerunds and Infinitives: Infinitive

 

Learning how to use  the Infinitive the Gerund is one of the most challenging aspects of learning English. In the present unit we examine the Infinitive.

 

Form

The infinitive is the base form of a verb. It may be preceded by the particle ‘to’ (the to-infinitive) or without (the zero infinitive).

 

Use

To-infinitive 

The to-infinitive is used:

1- After certain verbs. e.g.

afford agree attempt beg claim choose

decide deserve expect fail forget hope

intend learn love manage plan pretend

refer swear threaten volunteer want wish

 

Examples

• She didn’t want to leave the classroom
• We refuse to see youagain
• All the students deserve to succeed
• The police managed to catch the thief

 

2- After the auxiliaries to be to, to have to, and ought to

 

Examples

• She is to retire next year.
• You ought to know that by now.
• She has to follow the instructions

 

3- In the pattern ‘adjective + to-infinitive’

A list of adjectives that can precede the to-infinitive below

amazed anxious ashamed careful certain delighted

determined eager eligible fortunate glad happy

hesitant liable likely lucky pleased proud

ready reluctant sad shocked sorry surprised

 

Examples

• I am glad to hear that you have been promoted
• It is not always easy to learn a programming language
• I am sorry to disturb you
• We are proud to announce this year’s winner.

 

4- With the structure: verb + object + to infinitive

Verbs followed by an object and the to-infinitive

advise allow ask beg cause choose

command convince enable encourage expect force

hire instruct invite need order permit

persuade prepare promise remind require tell

threaten urge want warn wish would like

 

Examples

• My friend advised me to see a doctor.
• Could you ask her to post this letter for me?
• She begged him not to leave her.
• We persuaded her to stay, but she insisted on leaving.

 

Zero infinitive 

The zero infinitive is used:

1. After most auxiliaries (e.g. can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would)

Examples:

• She should give up smoking.
• He can’t leave his parents alone.
• Shall I talk to her?
• They must leave before 12.00 a.m.

 

2. After verbs of perception  (e.g. see, hear, feel, watch) with the pattern verb + object + zero infinitive

Examples:

• They saw him steal the handbag.
• We heard them lock the door.
• She watched her husband drive off.

Note that see and hear take the infinitive with to in the passive

Examples:

• That man was seen to break into the house.
• She was heard to say that the manager is arrogant.