What is the infinitive in English. The infinitive in English: a complete analysis of the initial form of the verb

What to do, what to do, how will the heart calm down?

No, we will not guess on coffee grounds or cards. And we won't even play solitaire. It’s just that in these sentences you have already read, there are as many as 4 infinitives. And even if you could not immediately find them right now, then by the time this article is read to the last point, you will easily find all four.

The infinitive is not only in English, but also in Russian. And in both cases, the infinitive is the impersonal form of the verb. That is, it has nothing personal to other words in the sentence :) It (the infinitive) simply expresses the action, it has no person, number. Therefore, it mainly answers the question “what to do / what to do”: walk, play, run away. However, this is where the similarity with the Russian infinitive ends. And the fun begins. What are the functions of the infinitive in English?

Firstly, a wonderful English infinitive can usually be easily recognized by the particle "to": to run, to be, to see. But, on the other hand, there are cases when the “to” particle is not needed. This happens if the infinitive of the verb comes after (see examples):

modal verb
I must go - I have to go

verb let
Let him sleep - Let him sleep

verb make in the meaning of "force"
She made me cry - She made me cry

Perception verbs to hear, to see etc.
I saw them run away - I saw them run away

. why/why not in questions
Why not help me? - Why not help me?

Secondly, the wonderful infinitive in English has as many as 6 forms. Not only can it be used in the active and passive voices, but it also changes depending on the tense.

First of all, it is worth understanding the difference in the use of the infinitive in valid and passive pledge. Below are sentences with an infinitive.

The active voice allows us to express the idea that someone did something HIMSELF.
I like to teach you. I like teaching you.
She wants to be a doctor. She wants to be a doctor.

The passive voice allows us to emphasize that something was done by someone.
There are a lot of texts to be read today. Today - a whole bunch of texts that must be read.
Every woman wants to be loved. Every woman wants to be loved.

Now let's deal with temporary forms:

Continuous is needed in order to show the action at the moment of speech
The girl seems to be crying. - This girl seems to be crying.

Perfect is needed to describe an action in the past
I am so glad to have finished the work. - I'm so glad I finished the job.

Perfect Continuous is needed for use in Perfect Continuous tenses
She is known to have been studying there for ages! - It is known that she has been studying there for a hundred years!

And now you want a little something nice? Then let the thought warm you that the text you have read now corresponds to the Upper-Intermediate level in terms of the complexity of English grammar. Can you imagine what bar you just took? Now do any exercises with ease ;)

Infinitive form

In modern English, there are three types of non-finite forms of the verb, and one of them is the infinitive.

The infinitive in English in its traditional interpretation is the main dictionary form of the verb (to take - to take, to smile - to smile). We can say with confidence that the infinitive, like the verb in the personal form, conveys a certain action. But, nevertheless, there is a fundamental difference - in comparison with the verb, the infinitive has neither the category of person, nor the category of number, nor mood.

What is the infinitive in English

The infinitive in English is one of the types of non-personal forms of the verb (other types include participle (Participle) and gerund (Gerund)).

The impersonal forms of a verb in English often designate an action either as simultaneous or preceding the one represented by the verb in the personal form.

— I saw them cry in the garden. I saw them crying in the garden.
(Verb in personal form - saw; infinitive - cry).

- Tom is seen to talk to Rose in a rude manner. – We saw how Tom talks to Rose in a rude way.
(Verb in personal form - seen; infinitive - to talk).

Forms of the infinitive in English

Let's find out what form of the verb is the infinitive. To date, there are only six forms of the infinitive in English: simple (simple), long (continuous), perfect (perfect) and perfect continuous (perfect continuous). The simple and perfect forms can be in the active (active) or in the passive (passive) voice.

• Simple
  I bought a patch to stop smoking. I bought a patch to quit smoking.

• continuous
  It must be nice to be going to her performances. It must be great to go to her performances.

• Perfect
  I would have gone to university, if I had passed my exam. I would go to university if I passed the exam.

• perfect continuous
  Rachel seems to have been reading my report for an hour already. It seems Rachel has been reading my report for an hour now.

• simple passive
  Alice could be given a prize for her artwork. Alice could be awarded a prize for her work.

• perfect passive
  She claims to have been sacked for her comments. She claims she was fired for her remarks.

It is generally accepted that the main questions that Infinitive answers are “what to do?”, “what to do?”. But it is not always possible to adhere to such a form when translating from English into Russian. The above examples are proof of this: read, read, etc. That is, the infinitive also answers questions “what is he doing?”, “what will he do?”, “what did he do?” etc.

The use of the infinitive in English

The use of the infinitive is due to several factors, namely: when we want to indicate the purpose of an action; second, if we want to give a reason; thirdly, in order to express their opinion. In addition, there are situations where the infinitive is used after certain verbs (verbs) and adjectives (adjectives).

Infinitive of purpose quite often used by native speakers, as it is a fairly economical structure. Often, Infinitive of purpose is translated into Russian in complex sentences with the addition of conjunctions and answers questions: "for what?" "for what purpose?" "for what reason?".

- He bought one hundred tulips to give to his girlfriend. He bought a hundred tulips to give to his girlfriend.

• Sometimes a turnover is used to express the goal in order to (to) or in order not to (so as not):

— In order to score more mark in the examination, she consulted several expert teachers. In order to get better marks in the exam, she consulted several expert teachers.
— They never parked the big van in front of the house in order not to upset the neighbors. They never parked their big van in front of the house so as not to disturb the neighbors.

• Also, the infinitive of the goal can be expressed using so as to (so that) or so as not to (so that not):

— We set off early so as to avoid the traffic. We left early to avoid traffic jams.
Some people need sleeping pills so as to help them to sleep. Some people need sleeping pills to help them sleep.

• The infinitive with the particle to can also indicate the reason for the action or emotional state. The formula is simple: adjective + to-infinitive .

These adjectives are: disappointed, glad, sad, happy, anxious, pleased, surprised, proud, unhappy, etc.

— We were anxious to get back on the road. We were afraid to go back to the road. (We were afraid because we need to get back on the road).

• In order to express their point of view, adjectives are often used: difficult, easy, possible, impossible, hard, right, wrong, kind, nice, clever, silly, foolish, etc.

— It is very foolish to take unnecessary risks, like crossing the street without using a crosswalk. “It’s stupid of you to take such risks by crossing the street without a crosswalk.
Below you can study the table where the verbs are presented, after which we always use the to-infinitive.

There are also verbs that can be followed by to-infinitive and gerund, but the value does not change: can't bear, can't stand, cease, continue, hate, like, love, neglect, prefer, propose.

It is quite natural that the question arises, “How to find the infinitive?” The main thing to remember when working with the infinitive is that it is almost always preceded by a particle to. See this article for exceptions.

Detailed description of the infinitive in each form

The infinitive has the category of temporal reference and aspects. The Infintive of transitive verbs has a voice category - this belongs to the morphological category. Let's learn more about this, and consider each form separately. And what is most interesting, the Infinitive is the only impersonal form of the verb that has the Continuous form.

Simple Infinitive - simple infinitive (the most necessary form)

The simple infinitive form is the most used due to its ease.

Examples of the simple infinitive:

Martin was excited to see her. Martin was happy to see her.
— Our company will arrange the transportation of the goods. Our company will arrange the transportation of goods.

Simple Infinitive Passive - simple passive infinitive

The passive infinitive in English has the same meaning as verbs in the passive voice (Passive Voice).

Method of formation: (to) be + participle (Participle II)

Examples of the Simple Passive Infinitive:

— Nobody wishes to be hated. Nobody wants to be hated.
— There isn't much water left to be drained. - Not much water left to drain.

Continuous Infinitive - long infinitive

The long infinitive expresses an action that is in progress, or that lasts for a certain period of time.

Way of formation: (to) be + participle (Participle I)

- You seem to be smiling. - Looks like you're smiling.
— This time next week, I'll be lying on the beach in Croatia. – In a week at this time I will be lying on the beach in Croatia.

Perfect Infinitive Active / Passive - an infinitive denoting a completed action

The Perfect Infinitive is used in the same cases in which it is customary to use all tenses of the Perfect group. It is often used to describe impossible actions in the past tense.

Formation method (Active): (to) have + participle (Participle II)

— I'm disappointed to have left that town. I am disappointed that I left that city.
— They must have gone the wrong way. They must have gone in the wrong direction.

• Modal verbs with the perfect infinitive are often used to express the speaker's certainty/uncertainty about actions in the past.

• Must + Perfect Infinitive used when we are sure about something that happened in the past:
  - You must have been delighted when you heard you'd won the lottery. You must have been thrilled when you heard that you won the lottery.

• Might / may / could + Perfect Infinitive is used when we think (but are not sure) that something may have happened in the past:
  — The thieves might have escaped by car but we can't be sure. The robbers probably left by car, but we are not sure.

• Can't + Perfect Infinitive used when we are sure something didn't happen in the past:
  — I can't have left the bag in the supermarket. I couldn't leave my bag in the supermarket.

• The passive perfect infinitive has the same meaning as simple verbs in Passive Voice.

Formation method (Passive): (to) have been + participle (Participle II)

— This film could have been directed by Quentin Tarantino. This movie could have been directed by Quentin Tarantino.

Perfect Continuous Infinitive - an infinitive denoting a long-perfect action

The perfect infinitive in English can also indicate a long-perfect action. Perfect Continuous Infinitive denotes an action that is in progress, or lasts a certain period of time.

Way of formation: (to) have been + participle (Participle I)

— I'm greatful to have been living in Barcelona for the last ten years. – I am grateful that I have been living in Barcelona for the last ten years.

Infinitive turns

The infinitive of the verb is also involved in the formation of infinitive phrases, such as complex subject (complex subject), complex object (complex object), the for-to-infinitive construction(reversal with the preposition for).
You can learn more about these topics by clicking on the links.

Functions of the infinitive in English

Since the verb in the impersonal form answers the question "what to do?", "what to do?", respectively, it cannot play the role of a predicate. Since it combines the qualities of a verb and a noun, it is quite obvious that the role of the infinitive in a sentence can be represented as: subject, part of a simple predicate, part of a compound verbal predicate, nominal part of a predicate, definition, object, circumstance.

Let's look at examples of which part of a sentence an infinitive can be:

- To drink alcohol is harmful. - Drinking alcohol is bad. (To drink is the infinitive in the subject function).

- She didn't save money for her birthday party. She didn't save money for a birthday party. (Didn't - save has the function of a simple predicate part in combination with an auxiliary verb).

— We had to move to a new apartment. We had to move to a new apartment. (Had to - move has the function of a part of a compound verb predicate in combination with a modal verb).

- Our plan is to plant as many trees as we can. Our plan is to plant as many trees as possible. (To plant - has the function of the nominal part of the predicate).

— My classmates invited me to join them in their project. My classmates invited me to join their project. (To join is an addition expressed by the infinitive).

— We are usually the best to sing in the choir. – We are usually recognized as the best when we sing in the choir. (To sing - the infinitive as a definition).

— I approached him to say hello. - I approached him. to say hello. (To say - has the function of the circumstance of the goal).

— It is too late to ask him for help. It's too late to ask him for help. (To ask - has the function of the circumstance of the investigation).

— They will be really excited to see this present. They will be very excited when they see this gift. (To see - has a circumstance function for expressing an emotional state).

Infinitive in English negation

The rule of the negative infinitive in English is quite straightforward: we add a negative particle not (not) before the infinitive.

He waited to move a house. – He waited not to move a house.
He was waiting to move to another house. - He was expecting won't move to another house.

Exercises for the infinitive in English

Let's do a little test. Study the examples below and try to determine which sentences have an infinitive and which have a personal verb:

1) Nowadays people eat too much.
2) Nowadays people should eat less.
3) Thomas meets Jane five times a week.
4) Thomas wants to meet his friend today.
5) Argentina lost the match.
6) Argentina is going to lose the match.

The infinitive is one of the non-finite forms of the verb, denoting an action and answering questions: what to do? what to do? A distinctive feature of the infinitive is the presence of the particle to before the verb, but in some cases it can be omitted.

Table 1. Formation of the main forms of the infinitive.

*Please note that only transitive verbs have passive forms.
**Please note that some verbs in English cannot take the Continuous form (for example, to know, to seem, to mind, and others).

Table 2. The use of the main forms of the infinitive.

Table 3. The use of the infinitive without the particle to.

Table 4. The role of the infinitive in an English sentence.

In English, the infinitive can act as part of a compound nominal predicate, as well as play the role of other members of the sentence.

In order not to miss new useful materials,

I have already written about this impersonal form of the verb in English. The article is called " ". I recommend reading it first, as it helps you get a general idea of ​​the infinitive. Remember that the infinitive is the indefinite form of the verb. The standard form of the infinitive in English is formed using the base (dictionary) preceded by a particle to. But there are a certain number of cases where it is used without this particle. Here we are already talking about such a thing as "naked infinitive" - bare infinitive. To articulate when we need particle infinitive to , and when without it, I am writing this article.

But before we go directly to listing these cases, I would like to repeat what forms the English infinitive can have (using the example of the verb to leave- leave, leave

1. Present Active– (to) leave
   

   I'm ready to see him now. - I'm ready to see him now (real)

   George wants to find a new job next month. George wants to find a new job next month (future)

2. present passive– (to) be left
   

   She expects to be presented a special gift on the anniversary. She is waiting for a special present for her anniversary.

   He hopes to be invited to his daughter's wedding. He hopes to be invited to his daughter's wedding.

3. Present Continuous Active– (to) be leaving
   

   My mother seems to be painting the walls. It seems my mother paints the walls.

   They seem to be building a house. It looks like they are building a house.

4. Perfect Active– (to) have left
   

   He claims to have infected with flu about 10 people. He claims that he has infected about ten people with the flu.

   I seem to have made a short film. “I think I made a little film.

5. Perfect Passive– (to) have been left
   

   A famous journalist said to have been killed in Egypt. - They say that a well-known journalist was killed in Egypt.

   The unique painting is said to have been sold for $20 millions. - They say that a famous painting was sold for 20 million dollars.

6. Perfect Continuous– (to) have been leaving
   

   courtney claims to have been working for this company for 3 years. Courtney states that she has been working for this company for three years.

   They are known to have been developing a new medicine for several years. It is known that they have been developing a new drug for several years.

infinitive with particle to

So, we move on to the main topic of this article. I would like to list the cases when it is necessary to use the standard particle infinitive form to. This particle will come before the infinitive if:

1. We express any purpose defined by the infinitive verb.
   

   She returned home to ask for some extra money. She returned home to ask for more money.

   We are leaving in ten minutes to catch the train to London. We are leaving in 10 minutes to catch the train to London.

2. The infinitive will follow these verbs: advise, agree, appear, decide, expect, hope, manage, offer, promise, refuse, seem, want, allow, pretend and etc.
   

   He offered me to stay at home instead of going out. Instead of going somewhere, he suggested that I stay at home.

   Why did you refuse to conduct these negotiations? Why did you refuse to negotiate?

3. The infinitive is preceded by the combination "certain verb +". A list of words acts as certain verbs: know, decide, ask, learn, remember and etc.
   

   She wants to know why you decided to spend your vacation abroad. She wants to know why you decided to spend your holiday abroad.

   I explained how to use the new washing machine. I explained how to use the new washing machine.

   By the way, if a sentence has two infinitives with a particle to, which are connected by English unions and, or, particle to before the second can be omitted.

   I didn't decide where to go and stay. I haven't decided where to go and where to stay.

   My boss explained how to write an article and take photos. My boss explained how to write an article and take photos.

4. The infinitive is used after such as happy, nice, happy, sorry, willing, afraid, ashamed and etc.
   

   I am willing to overlook your mistakes, but I can't do this. “I want to ignore your mistakes, but I can’t do it.

   It is nice to see you again. - Nice to see you again.

5. It is preceded by:
   

   My friend is too shy to take the initiative in acquainting with people. My friend is too shy to take the initiative in his own hands when meeting people.

   I've got enough money to buy a flat downtown. I have enough money to buy an apartment in the city center.

6. We make a proposal based on the construction " it+be+ adjective "(+ of+ or ).
   

   It was nice of him to tell the truth about his past. It's very good that he told the truth about his past.

   It's important to receive all necessary books before we start our lessons. It is important that all the necessary books arrive before we start studying.

7. It is accompanied by the expression would like / would love / would prefer. Each of them implies that someone would like to do something.
   

   I would like to move to London. - I would like to move to London.

   I would prefer to go by car. – I would prefer to go by car.

8. The sentence contains the word only, which helps to express dissatisfaction with some result or event.
   

   She went to work only to meet her angry boss. She went to work only to meet an angry boss.

   I rushed to the railway station only to make sure that the train had already left. I rushed to the station just to make sure the train had already left.

9. We use it after such nouns and pronouns as something, somewhere, anyone, nothing. Usually in this way we show that something is necessary or possible.
   

   Let's give them something to talk about. Let's give them a topic to talk about.

   take something to eat on our trip. Take some food for the journey.

10. The sentence contains a combination be+the first / the second, etc. / next / last / best and etc.
    

    You were the first to congratulations me with my birthday. You were the first to wish me happy birthday.

    I am the next to choose where to go on holidays. Next I choose where to go on vacation.

Infinitive without particle to

Cases in which we use infinitive without particle to , that is bare infinitive, far less. But you need to know them. After all, you do not want to make grammatical errors in this topic? So we use the bare infinitive after:

1. ( , , , , etc). The exception is modal verbs. / / / , which are used with the infinitive with to.
   

   We should tell our parents about the party. We should tell our parents about the party.

   He must apologize for his words. He should apologize for his words.

   She ought to be more polite to other people. She should be more polite to people.

2. After verbs let, make, see, hear, feel.
   

   We saw them kiss. We saw them kissing.

   I won't let her marry without my blessing. “I will not let her marry without my blessing.

   But, if these verbs are used in, they are accompanied by an infinitive with a particle to.

   He was heard to say either he was trying to kill someone or someone was trying to kill him. “He was heard to say that either he was trying to kill someone, or someone was trying to kill him.

3. After expressions / would rather.
   

   You'd better sit down. - You'd better sit down.

   I'd rather go to jail than serve in the military. “I'd rather go to jail than serve in the armed forces.

4. In interrogative sentences that begin with the words why not? (why not).
   

   Why not go to the cinema? Why not go to the cinema?

At first it may seem that there is no end to the information here! But actually it is not. When studying English, you somehow come across the mentioned verbs, phrases, constructions, and remember which infinitive goes with them in a complex. Here is just a list of situations that may come your way. Don't get lost!

​

Test

The use of the infinitive with the particle to and without the particle to

The Infinitive

However, it is not at all necessary that the infinitive will always be preceded by a particle to. Remember that to not used before the infinitive:

1. After most modal verbs. For example:
She can swim best of all. - She can swim better than anyone.

2. After the verbs of sensory perception feel, hear, see, watch:
I never saw her cry. - I never saw her cry.

3. After the let verb:
Let him go. - Let him go. (Let him go).

4. After the verb make (meaning "force"):
He made her cry. - He made her cry.
And also after would rather, had better and after the verb help(however, after help can also be used with particle to).

Example:
I would rather keep my personal life private. - I would chose to keep your personal life in secret.

Infinitive forms:
Present infinitive (Present Infinitive): to do
The infinitive of the present continuous tense (Present continuous infinitive): to be doing
Perfect Infinitive: to have done
Perfect continuous infinitive: to have been doing
Passive present infinitive (Present Infinitive Passive): to be done
Passive Perfect Infinitive (Perfect Infinitive Passive): to have been done

Below is a list of verbs with translation, after which the infinitive is used:

to aim - strive
to afford - afford (sth)
to agree - agree
to appear - appear
to arrange - agree
to ask - ask
to attempt - try
to beg - beg
to begin - start
to care - worry
to choose - choose
to consent - agree
to continue - continue
to dare - dare
to decide - decide
to determine - determine
to demand - demand
to desire - desire
to expect - expect
to fail - fail
to forget - forget
to guarantee - to guarantee
to happen - to happen
to hate - to hate
to help - to help
to hesitate - to doubt
to hope - hope
to intend - intend
to learn - learn, learn
to like - love, want
to love - to love
to manage - cope
to mean - imply
to neglect - neglect
to negotiate - negotiate
to offer - offer
to plead - to ask, to beg
to pledge - to pledge
to prefer - prefer
to prepare - cook
to pretend - pretend
to promise - to promise
to propose - offer
to refuse - refuse
to regret - regret
to remember - remember
to resolve - decide
to seek - seek
to seem - seem
to start - start (sya)
to swear - to swear
to threaten - to threaten
to trouble - disturb,
to try - try
to volunteer - volunteer
to want - want
to wish - wish, want

There are the following constructions with the infinitive:

1. Objective case with infinitive -
This is a noun or pronoun in the objective case + infinitive. For example:
I want you to come here. - I want you to come here.

2. Infinitive with the preposition for -
This is for + noun or object pronoun + infinitive. For example:
He opened the door for me to come in. He opened the door for me to enter.

3. Subjective infinitive turnover -
It's subject + predicate + infinitive.
Verbs to seem, to appear, to happen, to prove, to turn out - are used in the active voice; other verbs are used in the passive. What is supposed to happen in our city? - What should happen in our city?

The predicate can also be a compound nominal (linking verb + adjective or adverb). For example:
He is said to know five foreign languages. - He is said to know five foreign languages.

Translate these sentences into Russian, pay special attention to the infinitive:

1. She heard the door close.
2. We waited for him to phone.
3. You seem to have heard nothing.
4. She is easy to deal with.
5. Jim makes me feel happy.