The infinitive form of a verb is the basic dictionary form of a verb used without inflection or tense and usually (but not always) preceded by ‘to’, for example “to drink,” “to eat,” “to write.”\u00a0 Unlike verb tenses (verbs that are conjugated) infinitives do no tell about the time of actions or events or who is completing the action.\u00a0 Infinitives are most often used together with other verbs (that are conjugated) to refer to actions and events in a more general way.<\/p>\n
Here are some examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n Beth hopes to<\/strong> move to the United States. As I mentioned, infinitives in general are almost always preceded by the word ‘to,’ as this marks the verb as an infinitive, but there are, of course, exceptions to this rule, which I have outlined below.<\/p>\n 1)<\/strong> Do not include ‘to’ before an infinitive after modal auxiliary verbs.\u00a0 Modal auxiliary verbs are: shall, will, would, should, can, could, may, might, and must. Examples:<\/strong> 2)<\/strong> The following verbs: let, make, see, hear, feel, watch and notice, when followed by an object are not followed by ‘to’ + infinitive, they just take the infinitive, without the ‘to’. Examples:<\/strong> I didn’t see you come in.\u00a0 not<\/em> I didn’t see you 3)<\/strong> When asking a questions with why or why not ‘to’ is not used before the infinitive verb.<\/p>\n Examples:<\/strong> 4)<\/strong> When two infinitives are joined by: and, or, except, but, than, as, <\/em>or like,<\/em> the second infinitive usually goes without the ‘to’.<\/p>\n Examples:<\/strong> 5)<\/strong> Expressions with do and did, like “all I did\u2026” or “what I do\u2026” do not need the ‘to’ before the infinitive verb.<\/p>\n Examples:<\/strong> I hope that all makes sense.\u00a0 Remember for the most part an infinite verb is proceed by ‘to’ which make it as an infinitive.\u00a0 Now here is some practice with infinitives, be sure to pay special attention to the rules presented above.\u00a0 You have to decide if ‘to’ should go in front of the infinitive verb or not.\u00a0 Good luck!\u00a0 The answers are below, so don’t scroll all the way down to the answers until you are done.<\/p>\n 1. I will (to) go alone. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Answers: The infinitive form of a verb is the basic dictionary form of a verb used without inflection or tense and usually (but not always) preceded by ‘to’, for example “to drink,” “to eat,” “to write.”\u00a0 Unlike verb tenses (verbs that are conjugated) infinitives do no tell about the time of actions or events or who…<\/p>\n
\nJames doesn’t want to<\/strong> be here.
\nWe are happy to<\/strong> welcome you to our country.
\nHe just started to<\/strong> study when the doorbell rang.
\nChildren love to<\/strong> play outside.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nI must go now. not<\/em> I must to<\/del> go now.
\nShe will be elected. no<\/em>t She will to<\/del> be elected.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThe teacher——-let—————-them————study————-before the exam.
\nSubject—–(exception verb)—–object———(infinitive)——–prepositional phrase.<\/em><\/p>\n to<\/del> come in.<\/p>\n
\nWhy pay more, when you can pay less? not<\/em> Why to<\/del> pay more, when you can to pay less?
\nWhy not take the holidays off from work? not Why not to<\/del> take the holidays off from work?<\/p>\n
\nIt is as easy to smile as frown. not<\/em> It is as easy to smile as to<\/del> frown.
\nI want to have lunch now and wash the dishes later. not<\/em> I want to have lunch now and to<\/del> wash the dishes later.<\/p>\n
\nWhat I do is greet the customers when the come in the store.\u00a0 not<\/em> What I do is to<\/del> greet the customers when the come in the store.
\nAll he did was answer the door. not<\/em> All he did was to<\/del> answer the door.<\/p>\n
\n2. Penelope wants (to) study with her friends
\n3.Why stand up if you can (to) sit down?
\n4. We offered (to) watch my sister’s children for the night.
\n5. What I do for work is (to) organize all the mail that comes in.
\n6. They want (to) visit the White House while they are in Washington, DC.
\n7. It is easier (to) do it myself.
\n8. We asked him (to) sing his national anthem.
\n9. I didn’t see you (to) come in.
\n10. She wants (to) dance with you.<\/p>\n
\n1. I will go alone. – no ‘to’<\/strong>
\n2. Penelope wants to study with her friends
\n3.Why stand up if you can sit down? – no ‘to’<\/strong>
\n4. We offered to watch my sister’s children for the night.
\n5. What I do for work is organize all the mail that comes in. – no ‘to’<\/strong>
\n6. They want to visit the White House while they are in Washington, DC.
\n7. It is easier to do it myself.
\n8. We asked him to sing his national anthem.
\n9. I didn’t see you come in. – no ‘to’<\/strong>
\n10.\u00a0 She wants to dance with you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"