1. Infinitives
Infinitives are defined as to + base form of the verb. They have several functions.
1. Used as subjects and subject complements.
To know me is to love me.
To live in Hawaii is my lifetime dream.
2. Used as objects following certain verbs.*
I wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your gift.
He hesitated to ask the embarrassing question.

2. Rodrigo needs to pass the final exam. I hope to see you soon.
Agree
Ask
Decide
Expect
Help
Hope
Know how
Learn
Manage
Mean
Verb + infinitive
Promise
Refuse
Seem
Teach
Tell
want
Would like
Need
Offer
Pretend
Examples
He promised to get on
time.
Rodrigo needs to pass the
final exam.
I hope to see you soon.
Examples
Mrs. Galvez taught me to
use the infinitives correctly.
Karla told me to bring
some chocolates.
Verb + object + infinitive
(always)
Teach , Tell

3. ask, expect, help, mean, need, promise, want, would like
Examples
Verb + object + infinitive
(never)
We agreed to go to the cinema after classes.
Jane refused to smoke when her boyfriend offered her a cigarette.
agree, decide, hope, know how, learn, manage, offer, pretend, refuse, seem
Examples
Verb + (object)+ infinitive
(often)
Sam asked me to go out.
I asked to see my account.
We usually help mom to do the chores.
Everybody helped to organize the teacher’s party.
ask, expect, help, mean, need, promise, want, would like

4. Example: I am eager to see you. Adjectives
Common Adjectives Followed by an Infinitive
Example:
I am eager to see you.
Adjectives
afraid
determined
frightened
ready
alarmed
disappointed
furious
relieved
amazed
distressed
glad
reluctant
angry
disturbed
happy
sad
anxious
eager
hesitant
scared
ashamed
ecstatic
interested
shocked
astonished
embarrassed
intrigued
sorry
careful
encouraged
lucky
surprised
curious
excited
pleased
touched
delighted
fascinated
prepared
upset
depressed
fortunate
proud
willing

5. The children like to go to the zoo.
Students are often confused about this. When should I use infinitives? When should I use gerunds? There are some situations when BOTH an infinitive and gerund can be used with no change in meaning. For example,
The children like to go to the zoo.
The children like going to the zoo.
These two sentences have the same meaning.
These commonly used verbs may be followed by a gerund or an infinitive, with little or no difference in meaning: begin, continue, like, start, can’t stand, hate, love I love skiing. / I love to ski.

6. Christine quit teaching. >> Christine doesn’t teach anymore.
Some verbs can be followed by both gerunds and infinitives, but THERE IS A CHANGE IN MEANING. The most common of these types of verbs are forget, quit, remember, and stop.
Bob forgot to watch that TV show. >> Bob didn’t watch the show because he forgot to watch it.
Bob forgot watching that TV show. >> Bob watched the show, but he forgot that he watched it.
***************************************
Christine quit to teach. >> Christine quit her first activity because she wanted to teach.
Christine quit teaching. >> Christine doesn’t teach anymore.

7. ***************************************
Joseph remembered to wash the dishes. >> Joseph had stopped his first activity so he could go and wash the dishes.
Joseph remembered washing the dishes. >> After Joseph finished washing the dishes, he remembered that he had already washed the dishes.
***************************************
Lori stopped to exercise. >> Lori had stopped her first activity so that she could go and exercise.
Lori stopped exercising. >> Lori stopped the activity of exercising.