The infinitive form is one of the most fundamental aspects of the English language, and mastering its use is essential for anyone looking to improve their English proficiency. The infinitive is the base form of a verb, often preceded by the word “to.” For example, in the sentence “I want to eat,” the phrase “to eat” is an infinitive. Understanding the use and nuances of infinitives can greatly enhance your ability to construct sentences accurately and express ideas more clearly.
What is an Infinitive?
In English, the infinitive form of a verb is its most basic form, without any conjugation for tense, mood, or aspect. It is often introduced by the particle “to,” although there are instances where the infinitive appears without “to,” known as the bare infinitive. For instance, in the sentence “She made me laugh,” the verb “laugh” is a bare infinitive.
Functions of the Infinitive
Infinitives serve several purposes in a sentence. They can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. Understanding these functions will allow you to use infinitives more effectively.
Infinitives as Nouns
When infinitives function as nouns, they can be subjects, objects, or complements in a sentence. Here are a few examples:
1. **Subject**: “To travel is my passion.”
2. **Object**: “I love to read.”
3. **Complement**: “Her goal is to win.”
In these sentences, the infinitives “to travel,” “to read,” and “to win” are functioning as nouns.
Infinitives as Adjectives
Infinitives can also act as adjectives, providing more information about a noun. Here are some examples:
1. “She has a book to read.”
2. “There is a lot of work to do.”
In these sentences, the infinitives “to read” and “to do” describe the nouns “book” and “work,” respectively.
Infinitives as Adverbs
Infinitives can function as adverbs, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Here are some examples:
1. “He came to help.”
2. “She is eager to learn.”
In these sentences, the infinitives “to help” and “to learn” are modifying the verbs “came” and the adjective “eager,” respectively.
Using Infinitives in Various Constructions
Beyond their basic functions, infinitives appear in several specific grammatical constructions that are crucial for anyone learning English.
Infinitive Phrases
An infinitive phrase consists of the infinitive verb plus any complements or modifiers. For example:
1. “To win the game requires skill.”
2. “She wants to eat dinner now.”
In these sentences, “to win the game” and “to eat dinner now” are infinitive phrases.
Split Infinitives
A split infinitive occurs when a word, usually an adverb, is placed between “to” and the verb. This is often considered stylistically awkward, though it can sometimes add emphasis or clarity. For example:
1. “She decided to quickly finish her homework.”
2. “He wanted to really understand the problem.”
While some grammarians frown upon split infinitives, they are widely accepted in modern usage, especially when they improve the rhythm or clarity of a sentence.
Negative Infinitives
To make an infinitive negative, place “not” before the verb. For example:
1. “I told him not to go.”
2. “She decided not to attend the meeting.”
In these sentences, “not to go” and “not to attend” are negative infinitives.
Special Uses of Infinitives
There are certain constructions and verbs that particularly call for the use of infinitives. Recognizing these patterns can help you use infinitives correctly and effectively.
Verbs Followed by Infinitives
Certain verbs are typically followed by infinitives. Here are some common ones:
1. **Agree**: “She agreed to help.”
2. **Decide**: “They decided to leave early.”
3. **Hope**: “He hopes to win the lottery.”
4. **Plan**: “We plan to travel next summer.”
5. **Want**: “I want to learn Spanish.”
These verbs inherently require an infinitive to complete their meaning.
Verbs Followed by Object + Infinitive
Some verbs are followed by an object and then an infinitive. Here are examples:
1. **Advise**: “The teacher advised the students to study hard.”
2. **Allow**: “They allowed him to enter the room.”
3. **Ask**: “She asked me to help her.”
4. **Expect**: “We expect you to arrive on time.”
5. **Want**: “I want you to understand this concept.”
In these constructions, the object (e.g., “the students,” “him,” “me,” “you”) is followed by an infinitive.
Infinitives of Purpose
Infinitives are often used to express purpose. This construction answers the question “Why?” Here are some examples:
1. “She went to the store to buy groceries.”
2. “He studies hard to get good grades.”
In these sentences, “to buy groceries” and “to get good grades” express the purpose of the actions.
Too… to and Enough… to Constructions
Infinitives are commonly used in “too… to” and “enough… to” constructions to express sufficiency or insufficiency. For example:
1. “He is too young to drive.”
2. “She is strong enough to lift that box.”
In these sentences, “to drive” and “to lift” are part of constructions that express whether someone or something meets the necessary conditions.
Common Mistakes with Infinitives
Even advanced learners sometimes make mistakes with infinitives. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Confusing Infinitives with Gerunds
Gerunds (verb forms ending in -ing that function as nouns) are often confused with infinitives. While some verbs can be followed by both gerunds and infinitives, the meaning can change. For example:
1. “I stopped smoking.” (I quit the habit of smoking.)
2. “I stopped to smoke.” (I paused what I was doing in order to smoke.)
Knowing which verbs are followed by gerunds and which by infinitives is crucial for clarity.
Incorrectly Splitting Infinitives
While split infinitives are sometimes acceptable, they can also be awkward if not used carefully. For example:
1. Awkward: “She decided to, after much thought, accept the offer.”
2. Better: “She decided to accept the offer after much thought.”
Keep the infinitive together unless splitting it improves the sentence’s clarity or emphasis.
Forgetting the “to” in Infinitive Phrases
Sometimes learners forget the “to” in infinitive phrases, particularly after certain verbs. For example:
1. Incorrect: “I want go home.”
2. Correct: “I want to go home.”
Always ensure the “to” is present unless you are using a bare infinitive.
Practice and Application
The best way to master infinitives is through consistent practice and application. Here are some exercises and tips to help you practice.
Exercises
1. **Identify the Infinitive**: Find the infinitive in each sentence and identify its function (noun, adjective, or adverb).
– “She plans to travel next year.”
– “His goal is to win the championship.”
– “They came to see the show.”
2. **Rewrite the Sentence**: Rewrite each sentence using an infinitive of purpose.
– “She studies hard. She wants to get good grades.”
– “He went to the store. He needed to buy milk.”
– “They practice daily. They aim to improve their skills.”
3. **Fill in the Blank**: Choose the correct infinitive to complete each sentence.
– “I advised him ______ (to stay/staying) home.”
– “She wants ______ (to learn/learning) French.”
– “They allowed us ______ (to enter/entering) the room.”
Tips for Mastery
1. **Read Extensively**: Pay attention to how infinitives are used in books, articles, and other reading materials.
2. **Write Regularly**: Practice writing sentences and paragraphs that include infinitives in various functions.
3. **Speak and Listen**: Use infinitives in conversation and listen to how native speakers use them.
4. **Seek Feedback**: Have someone review your writing and speaking to catch any incorrect uses of infinitives.
Conclusion
The infinitive is a versatile and essential part of the English language. Understanding its functions and various uses will significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively. By recognizing the different ways infinitives can be used as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs, and by practicing their application in different grammatical constructions, you will gain confidence and proficiency in your English language skills. Keep practicing, stay curious, and soon the use of infinitives will become second nature to you.
