Infinitive

What are Infinitives?

Infinitives – they are nouns with certain qualities of a verb (hence an infinitive is a Verb – Noun).

They are generally either in the form of $V_1$ (bare infinitive) or ‘to + $V_1$’ (to infinitive).

I want to go. (to go – infinitive)

Unlike gerunds and participles, infinitives do not have any special suffixes (i.e. the verbs are unconjugated). They are always in the simple, singular form. 

Alka has decided to marries you. (incorrect)
Alka has decided to marry you. (correct)

How is Infinite a Verb-Noun?

To respect our parents is our duty.
to respect – infinitive working as noun is the subject of the verb ‘is’. But, like a verb it also takes an object (to respect whom? – our parents).

Many men desire to make money quickly.
to make – infinitive working as noun is the object of the verb ‘desire’. But, like a verb it also takes an object (to make what? – money). Also, just as a verb, it is modified by an adverb (quickly).

So, we can see that an infinitive is a kind of noun with certain features of verb, such as:

  • it can take an object (when the verb in the infinitive is transitive) and
  • it can have adverbial qualifiers.

Infinitive Phrase 

Infinitive Phrase - a group of words consisting of an infinitive and the modifier(s)

Mr. Stevens has agreed to give us a ride. (to give us a ride - infinitive phrase working as object)

us - indirect object of action expressed in infinitive; a ride - direct object of action expressed in infinitive.

Negative infinitive

Negative infinitive - formed by putting not in front of any form of the infinitive.

Nadal decided not to paly in French open.

I had better not call the lawyer.

Sometimes, instead of the infinitive being negative, the verb in the main clause is negative:

The president wants to reward them.
The president doesn’t want to reward them.

‘To’ Preposition Phrase Vs. Infinitive

Notice the difference:

Prepositional phrase beginning with to: to + a noun or a pronoun (and any modifiers)
E.g. to you, to Rajasthan.

Infinitive: to + verb
E.g. to enter, to go. (here to is not acting as a preposition, but rather it is a particle of the infinitive.)

Infinitive as various parts of speech

Concept 1

Apart from functioning as a noun, an Infinitive can also function as adjective, or an adverb in a sentence.

When the infinitive works as a Noun it is called the Simple Infinitive. And when it works as an adjective, adverb or absolutely, it is called the Gerundial or Qualifying Infinitive.

To swim is fun. (to swim – noun, working as the subject of the verb ’is’)
I like to swim. (to swim – noun, working as the object of the verb ’like’)
She had a suggestion to offer. (to offer - adjective modifying the noun ‘suggestion’)
He yelled to warn her. (to warn - adverb modifying the verb ’yelled’)

When infinitive functions as an adverb and is the beginning phrase in a sentence, we should place a comma after it.

To improve your marks, you must take guidance from your class teacher.

Concept 2

As an Adverb :

  • Infinitive can qualify a Verb, usually to express purpose.
    She came to see whether you are alright. (came – verb; purpose of checking on the health)
    They planned to kill the Governor. (planned – verb; purpose of killing)

  • Infinitive can qualify an Adjective.
    These Indian dishes are good to eat. (good - adjective)
    The students are anxious to learn about the exam result. (anxious - adjective)

Concept 3

As Absolute phrase, Infinitive can qualify a sentence.

To tell the truth, I was not amused by his jokes. (To tell the truth – absolute phrase)

He was petrified, so to speak. (so to speak – absolute phrase)

Infinitive asvarious parts of a sentence

Apart from working as a subject or an object in a sentence, an infinitive can also function as:

There is no option except to win the next math. (to win – object of the preposition ‘except’)

Her ambition is to win. (to win - subject complement)

His ambition to become a footballer became an obsession. (to become a footballer - appositive)

Infinitive and Tense

As infinitive is a non-finite verb, so it has no tense – present, past, future. It depends on the finite verb to give a time reference.

He is happy to win the medal (‘is’ provides the present time reference)
He wants to win the medal. (‘wants’ provides the present time reference)
He was happy to win the medal. (‘was’  provides the past time reference)
He will be happy to win the medal. (‘will be’ provides the future time reference)

Infinitive and Aspect (The forms of the infinitive)

Though infinitive has no tense, but it can have aspect (i.e. indefinite, continuous, perfect, perfect continuous).

Aspect of an infinitive shows the temporal relationship between the action expressed by the infinitive and the time of the preceding verb.

There are four types/forms of infinitives (which showcases various aspects), each of which has an active and passive form.

Generally when we refer to infinitive we are usually referring to the simple present infinitive.

However, there are three other forms of the infinitive: 

  • continuous infinitive

  • perfect infinitive

  • perfect continuous infinitive

There are also passive forms of these infinitives.

Simple Present Infinitive

The present infinitive has two forms:

  • to-infinitive = to + $V_1$
    I like to run.

  • zero/bare infinitive = $V_1$
    Generally when used with modal verbs (e.g. can, should and could) and certain other verbs like see and hear.
    I might run to the store.

Continuous infinitive

The continuous infinitive: to be + present participle, e.g. to be playing.

Just like simple infinitive, continuous infinitive too refers to the same time as that of the preceding verb. It expresses an action in progress or happening over a period of time.

I am glad to be playing here. (preceding verb – am)

Vijay Mallya was reported to be staying in London last week. (preceding verb – was reported)

As with the present infinitive, we sometimes use the zero form of the continuous infinitive (generally after most modal auxiliaries, and in other places where zero infinitives are used).

You must be joking. (preceding verb – must)

Probably this day next month, I will be lying on my own bed at home. (preceding verb – will)

Perfect infinitive

The perfect infinitive: to have + past participle, e.g. to have seen.

Perfect infinitive refers to a time before that of the preceding verb.

I am glad to have studied at that university. (preceding verb – am)
The ship was assumed to have left yesterday. (preceding verb – was assumed) 

Perfect continuous infinitive

The perfect continuous infinitive: to have been + present participle, e.g. to have been crying.

Just like perfect infinitive, perfect continuous infinitive refers to a time before that of the preceding verb. It expresses an action in progress or happening over a period of time.

I am lucky to have been living with you for the last two months. (preceding verb – am)
The terrorists were thought to have been digging the tunnel for days. (preceding verb – were thought)

Passive infinitives

The passive infinitive: to be + past participle, e.g. to be closed, to be given

There are various passive forms too:

My script has to be written. (passive simple infinitive; preceding verb – has)
Nelson’s phone was believed to be being tapped. (passive continuous infinitive; preceding verb – was believed)
This poem must have been written by Kalidas. (passive perfect infinitive; preceding verb – must)
This building is believed to have been being made for years. (passive perfect continuous infinitive; preceding verb – is believed)

Passive continuous infinitive and Passive perfect continuous infinitive are not that commonly used.

verbs

Extra Books and Tools


1. Wren & Martin - This book has been around for long and is still considered one of the best.

Links for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries:

High School English Grammar and Composition Paperback

Key to Wren and Martin

Link for Indian readers: Wren and Martin


2. More advanced learners may refer to the following books. However, buy them only if you must.

A. Essential English Grammar by Raymond Murphy

Link for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries: Essential Grammar in Use - with Answers

Link for Indian readers: Essential English Grammar

B. Intermediate English Grammar by Raymond Murphy

Link for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries: English Grammar in Use - with Answers

Link for Indian readers: Intermediate English Grammar

C. Advanced English Grammar by Martin Hewings

Link for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries: Advanced Grammar in Use - with Answers

Link for Indian readers: Advanced English Grammar


So much so for Englsh Grammar. But what about Comprehension skills and Vocabulary?

For this, I prefer to read on gadgets like Kindle. We may just tap on any word and see its meaning there and then. It's also not taxing on the eyes. There are a multitude of Kindle models and versions available. Though, any model will meet our basic reading needs.

Link for readers from USA, UK, Canada, and other countries:

Link for Indian readers: Kindle

If you want to know more about such recommended books, you may read this article of ours.
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