INFINITIVE FORMS Natalia A.Maximova, school #328, St-Petersburg, 2015
To -infinitive
1. It is used to express purpose. ◦ He went to the market to buy some vegetables. ◦ They went to the beach to enjoy the sunset. ◦ He is saving money to buy a car.
2. It is used after certain verbs. ◦ She advised me to study harder. ◦ He agreed to lend me some money. ◦ She decided to go to the gym. ◦ They expect to get a good job. ◦ I hope/plan to visit Tokyo one day. ◦ No one appeared to notice me. These verbs refer to the future. ◦ promise ◦ refuse ◦ manage ◦ offer ◦ want
3. It is used after: ◦ would love ◦ would prefer ◦ would like to express specific preference.
4. It is used after adjectives. ◦ She is afraid to go on her own. ◦ They will be glad to see you. ◦ He’s always eager to help out. ◦ I’m willing to join your project. ◦ She was reluctant to discuss the case in detail.
5. It is used after the words too and enough. ◦ It is too cold to go swimming. ◦ James is rich enough to afford a new car.
6. It is used in the following structures : ◦ To tell you the truth, … ◦ To be honest, … ◦ To begin with, … ◦ To sum up, …
Bare Infinitive
1. It is used after modal verbs. ◦ Peter can drive a car. ◦ You should respect the elderly. ◦ May I use the phone?
2. It is used after the verbs let/make/see/hear/feel. ◦ They made him pay for the damage. ◦ My parents let me go to parties. BUT!!! ◦ He was made to pay extra. (The Passive)
3. It is used after had better / would rather (not). ◦ You had better send him a letter. ◦ I would rather study biology than chemistry.
4. Help is followed by either the to- infinitive or the bare infinitive. ◦ Please, help me fix/to fix the bike.
Tenses of the Infinitive
The Present Infinitive/The Passive present Infinitive refers to the present or future. ◦ Emily wants to leave now. ◦ Emily wants to leave tomorrow morning. ◦ She expects to be offered a promotion soon.
The Present Continuous Infinitive describes an action happening now. ◦ He seems to be looking for something. ◦ They appear to be waiting for their friends.
The Perfect Infinitive/The Passive Perfect Infinitive refers to the past and shows that the action of the infinitive happened before the action of the verb. ◦ He seems to have finished his work. ◦ She claims to have met the Queen. ◦ He is believed to have been injured in the car.
The Perfect Continuous Infinitive refers to the past and emphasises the duration of the action of the infinitive, which happened before the action of the verb. ◦ He is tired. He appears to have been working hard lately.