- Grammar and Structure
- » Infinitives
Infinitives
Definition
An infinitive is the to + verb form of a verb.
Example
I like to surf the Internet.
Explanation
An infinitive can be used —
- as the object of a verb.
- as the subject of a clause.
- to express purpose.
- after certain adjectives, for example, “glad”, “happy”, “afraid”, “lucky”.
- after certain verbs or verb + noun / pronoun combinations, for example, “expect”, “hope”, “plan”, “decide”, “promise”, “pretend”, “tell someone”, “remind someone”, “force someone”, “need someone”, “want someone”, etc.
- after certain expressions, for example, “too”, “enough”.
- in the simple form (without “to”) with certain verbs, for example, “see”, “feel”, “make”, “have”, “let”, etc.
- to express the negative when “not” is placed before it.
- in the past and passive forms.