Unit 15: The infinitive By Juan Carlos Aguilar Arriazu & Diego Cooke Segura
What is the infinitive? ►T►T►T►The infinitive, as in Spanish, is the base form of the verb ►I►I►I►It is called the full infinitive when “to” is used before the verb. Example: I want to watch the film tonight. ►I►I►I►It is called the bare infinitive when there is no “to”. Example: Let me see the newspaper.
When is the full infinitive used? ► After certain verbs. Common examples include: afford agree choose expect help. Example: I asked to see the head teacher. ► After impersonal it+be+adjective where the adjective describes the event that follows. Example: It was good to see her again. ► After verbs wich follow the pattern verb+someone+ to do something Example: My mother persuaded me to buy a computer.
When is the full infinitive used? ► After the verbs in the previous slide when we used them in the passive Example: She was allowed to choose for himself. Example: She was allowed to choose for himself. ► After be with the meaning of a formal instruction or information about the future. Example: You are to report here at 8 tomorrow morning. Example: You are to report here at 8 tomorrow morning. ► To express purpose. Example: She´s saving her money to go on holidays. Example: She´s saving her money to go on holidays.
When is the bare infinitive used? ► After verbs wich follow the pattern verb+someone+do something. Example: have, let, make I´ll have the waiter bring us water I´ll have the waiter bring us water ► After models auxiliary verbs(but remember that some modals contain two in themselves. Example: We might go to Italy this year.
In these cases would you use the bare infinitive or the full infinitive. ► I have____(agree) with you on that point. ► It was great_____(experience) such pleasant feelings. ► She´ll _____(let) me go if i behave. ► We might_____(forget) to bring the ingredients. ► I am studying very intensively_____(pass) my exam.