Infinitives are an essential part of the English language, yet they can be a source of confusion for many language learners. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of infinitives, exploring what they are, how they’re used, and providing examples to help solidify your understanding.
What are Infinitives?
An infinitive is a verb form that begins with the word “to” and functions as a verb, adjective, or noun. It’s often used to express purpose, intention, or obligation. Infinitives can be tricky to identify, as they can appear in various forms and contexts. However, understanding infinitives is crucial for effective communication and clear expression.
Types of Infinitives
There are two main types of infinitives: the full infinitive and the bare infinitive.
Full Infinitive
A full infinitive is a verb form that includes the word “to” followed by the base form of the verb. For example:
- to eat
- to run
- to write
Full infinitives can function as subjects, complements, or objects of a sentence.
Bare Infinitive
A bare infinitive, on the other hand, is a verb form without the word “to.” Bare infinitives are often used in imperative sentences or after certain verbs. For example:
- Let him eat.
- Make me laugh.
Infinitive Examples in Sentences
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s explore some examples of infinitives in sentences.
As Verbs
Infinitives can function as verbs, expressing purpose or intention. For example:
- I want to learn how to play the guitar. (Here, “to learn” is an infinitive verb.)
- She hopes to become a doctor. (Here, “to become” is an infinitive verb.)
As Adjectives
Infinitives can also function as adjectives, modifying nouns or pronouns. For example:
- The book to read is on the shelf. (Here, “to read” is an infinitive adjective modifying the noun “book”.)
- He’s the man to trust. (Here, “to trust” is an infinitive adjective modifying the pronoun “he”.)
As Nouns
Infinitives can even function as nouns, acting as subjects or objects of a sentence. For example:
- To err is human. (Here, “to err” is an infinitive noun and the subject of the sentence.)
- His goal is to win the championship. (Here, “to win” is an infinitive noun and the object of the sentence.)
Common Uses of Infinitives
Infinitives have several common uses in English sentences.
Expressing Purpose
Infinitives are often used to express purpose or intention. For example:
- I came to see you. (Here, “to see” expresses the purpose of my visit.)
- She went to the store to buy milk. (Here, “to buy” expresses the purpose of her trip.)
Expressing Obligation
Infinitives can also be used to express obligation or necessity. For example:
- You have to try this cake. (Here, “to try” expresses obligation.)
- We need to finish this project by Friday. (Here, “to finish” expresses necessity.)
Used with Modal Verbs
Infinitives are often used with modal verbs like “can,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “shall,” “should,” “will,” and “would.” For example:
- You may go to the party. (Here, “to go” is an infinitive used with the modal verb “may”.)
- He should try to be more careful. (Here, “to try” is an infinitive used with the modal verb “should”.)
Common Confusions with Infinitives
One of the most common confusions with infinitives is the choice between using the full infinitive or the bare infinitive.
The Split Infinitive Controversy
Another point of confusion is the split infinitive, where an adverb or another word is placed between “to” and the verb. For example:
- I wanted to slowly eat my dinner. (Here, the adverb “slowly” is placed between “to” and the verb “eat”, creating a split infinitive.)
While some grammarians argue that split infinitives are incorrect, modern English usage accepts them as a natural part of language.
Conclusion
In conclusion, infinitives are a crucial aspect of the English language, and understanding their uses and examples can help you improve your writing and communication skills. By mastering infinitives, you’ll be able to express yourself more effectively and confidently. Remember, infinitives can function as verbs, adjectives, or nouns, and are often used to express purpose, intention, or obligation. With practice and patience, you’ll unlock the power of infinitives and take your language skills to the next level.
| Infinitive Type | Example | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Full Infinitive | to eat | Verb, Adjective, or Noun |
| Bare Infinitive | let him eat | Verb (Imperative or after certain verbs) |
By understanding the different types of infinitives, their functions, and common uses, you’ll be better equipped to tackle complex sentences and express yourself more effectively in English.
What is an infinitive phrase?
An infinitive phrase is a phrase that begins with an infinitive verb, which is a verb form that starts with “to” and functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. For example, “to eat breakfast” is an infinitive phrase. It can function as a noun, as the subject of the sentence “To eat breakfast is my favorite morning routine.”
Infinitive phrases can also function as adjectives, modifying nouns or pronouns. For instance, in the sentence “I’m looking for someone to eat breakfast with,” “to eat breakfast with” is an infinitive phrase modifying the noun “someone.” Additionally, infinitive phrases can function as adverbs, providing more information about the manner, time, or place of an action. In the sentence “I went to the café to eat breakfast,” “to eat breakfast” is an infinitive phrase indicating the purpose of the action.
What is the difference between an infinitive and an infinitive phrase?
An infinitive is a verb form that starts with “to” and functions as a single word in a sentence. For example, “to eat” is an infinitive. On the other hand, an infinitive phrase is a phrase that begins with an infinitive and functions as a unit in a sentence.
The key difference between the two is that an infinitive is a single word, while an infinitive phrase is a group of words that function together. To illustrate the difference, consider the sentence “I want to eat.” In this sentence, “to eat” is an infinitive phrase, while “to eat” is also an infinitive. In contrast, in the sentence “I want to,” “to” is an infinitive, but it’s not an infinitive phrase because it’s not a complete thought.
How do infinitives function as subjects?
Infinitives can function as subjects in a sentence, which means they can be the main topic or noun of the sentence. For example, in the sentence “To dance is my passion,” “to dance” is the subject of the sentence. In this case, the infinitive “to dance” is equivalent to a noun, and it’s the main focus of the sentence.
When infinitives function as subjects, they often provide a sense of generality or abstractness. This is because they don’t refer to a specific action or event, but rather to the action or event in general. For instance, in the sentence “To read is to learn,” “to read” is the subject, and it refers to the act of reading in general, rather than a specific book or article.
Can infinitives function as verbs?
Infinitives cannot function as verbs in the classical sense, but they can function as verb-like entities in certain contexts. For example, in the sentence “I will eat to survive,” “to survive” is an infinitive phrase that functions as an adverb, indicating the purpose of the action “eat.”
In some cases, infinitives can be used to create verb-like constructions, such as in the sentence “I’m going to eat.” In this sentence, “going to” is an infinitive phrase that functions as a future tense marker, indicating that the action of eating will happen in the future.
How do infinitives function as complements?
Infinitives can function as complements in a sentence, which means they provide additional information about the subject or object. For example, in the sentence “I consider him to be a genius,” “to be a genius” is an infinitive phrase that functions as a complement, providing more information about the object “him.”
When infinitives function as complements, they often provide a sense of explanation or justification. For instance, in the sentence “I believe her to be telling the truth,” “to be telling the truth” is an infinitive phrase that functions as a complement, providing evidence or support for the belief.
What is the difference between a gerund and an infinitive?
A gerund is a verb form that ends in “-ing” and functions as a noun in a sentence. For example, “eating” is a gerund in the sentence “Eating breakfast is my favorite morning routine.” In contrast, an infinitive is a verb form that starts with “to” and functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence.
The key difference between the two is the form and function. Gerunds always end in “-ing” and function as nouns, while infinitives always start with “to” and can function in various ways. Additionally, gerunds tend to be more specific and concrete, while infinitives are often more general and abstract.
Can infinitives be used in parallel structures?
Yes, infinitives can be used in parallel structures, which means using multiple infinitives to provide a sense of balance and symmetry in a sentence. For example, in the sentence “I love to read, to write, and to learn,” the infinitives “to read,” “to write,” and “to learn” are used in parallel to provide a sense of equality and unity.
Parallel structures with infinitives can add clarity and rhythm to a sentence, making it more engaging and effective. They can also be used to create a sense of repetition or accumulation, as in the sentence “To err is human, to forgive is divine, and to forget is essential.”