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 15.1]
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?
[15.1]
1) to learn
2) to make
3) to clean
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 16.1]
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.
[16.1]
1)to leave
2)to know
3)to be
4)selling
5)to win
6)taking
7)to go
8)to pass
9)to take
10)to hear, to share |
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