INFINITIVE

A.    Introduction of infinitives

The infinitive is to + simple form.

Functions of infinitives

Explanations	Structures	Example
Like the gerund, the infinitive is a verb form that can replace a noun, but it may not be the object of a preposition. Infinitives of a purpose can be used with or without the expression in order.	Noun Phrase Object of a Verb	I would like a new bicycle.
	Infinitive Object of a Verb	I would like to buy a new bicycle.
	Infinitive Subject	To choose the right one takes a little time.
	Infinitive Complement	It is fun to look at all the models at a bicycle store.
	Infinitive of Purpose	To buy a really good bicycle costs a lot of money. He’ll save for a year (in order) to buy that bicycle.

Like verb, infinitives have affirmative and negative forms and active and passive forms. Infinitives can also have subjects and objects.

Forms of infinitives

Structures	Explanations	Active	Passive
Affirmative	Active infinitives are to + the simple form of a verb. Passive infinitives are formed by using to be + the past participle.	We have to tell John about the sale on bicycle.	John has to be told about the sale on bicycle.
Negative	To make a negative, not comes before the infinitive.	Mary said not to tell him.	There is a reason for him not to be told.
With for	For + a noun or pronoun may else be used as subject to an infinitive. “anticipatory it” is often used in this pattern: it + be (+ for + noun or pronoun) + adjective + infinitive.	For John to know about this is important. It’s important for John to know about this. It’s important for him to know about this.	For John to be told is important. It’s important for John to be told. It’s important for him to be told.

B.     Infinitives Following Adjectives, Nouns, and Adverbs

Infinitives are frequently used after certain expressions with nouns and adjectives.

Adjectives and/or nouns + infinitives

Structures	Explanation	Examples
Infinitive of purpose	Infinitives are used to express purpose one goals. In order is not necessary for this meaning: it may be omitted. A common expression with infinitives of purpose is it + take + time or effort + infinitive.	In order to finish the race, Justin had to train for many months. To finish the race, Justin had to train a lot. It took Justin over five hours to finish the race.
Noun + infinitive	Similarly, infinitive can be used after nouns to show what should or can be done with the nouns. A common expression is there + be + noun + infinitive.	I have a pass to use for the grandstand. She needs a pass to get in. Do you have an extra pass to give me? There are free passes to be had.
Adjective + infinitive	Infinitives often follow adjectives or emotion or feelings (happy, sad, eager).	I was very happy to meet Justin, Johnson. I was eager to watch the race.
Ordinal numbers + infinitive	Infinitives often follow ordinals (the first, the second, and so on) or adjectives such as the last and the only.	Justin was the first to ride a special bicycle in the tour de Tucson. Justin probably won’t be the last to do so.
It + be adjective + infinitive	Many adjective / infinitive combinations follow this pattern it + be + adjective + infinitive. Of + an object often follow adjectives such as nice, good, and polite.	It was fun to meet Justin. It was great to talk with him. It was nice of Justin to spend time with us.

Adverbs + infinitives

Structures	Explanation	Examples
Too	The adverb too is often followed by an adjective or adverb and an infinitive: to + phrase + infinitive. This expression often implies a negative result.	That hill was too steep to ride up. I had to walk my bicycle. It was too difficult to climb on a bike.
Not enough	Infinitives frequently follow not enough: not + adjective or adverb + enough + infinitive not + enough + noun + infinitive. These expressions also imply a negative result.	She was not old enough to enter the race. I wasn’t strong enough to finish the race. I didn’t have enough energy to finish the race. We didn’t have enough time to train well for the race.
Enough	Enough in affirmative statements can also followed by an infinitive. These expressions imply a positive result.	Justin was strong enough to finish the race. Justin was a strong enough bicyclist to finish the race.
What, when, where, which, and how	Phrase with what, when, where, which, and how are reduced forms or noun clauses. I would like to know where I can get a good bicycle = I would like to know where to get a good bicycle.	I would like to know where to buy a good bicycle. I would like to know how to choose a good bike. I would like to know which brand to choose.

C.    Verbs Followed by Either Gerund or Infinitives

Many verbs may be followed by either gerunds or infinitives. The basic meaning of the sentence does not change.

Verbs	Structures	Examples
Begin                         like* Can (not) afford        love* Can’t bear                  neglect Can’t stand                prefer Continue                    start Hate	Verb + gerund Verb + infinitive Verb + gerund Verb + infinitive	It began raining. It began to rain. I like swimming. I like to swim.

D.    Parallel Structure with Gerunds and Infinitives

Parallelism involves using the same grammatical forms in a series of words in a sentence.

Parallel structure with gerunds and infinitives

Explanations	Correct usage	Incorrect usage*
When two or more infinitives appear in a series, it is not necessary to repeat to.	He loves to eat, to drink and to be merry. He loves to eat, drink and be merry.	X he loves to eat, drink, and to be merry.
In any series, it is Important to use parallel structure. Do not mix infinitives and gerunds, if possible.	He loves to eat, to drink, and to be merry. He loves eating, drinking, and being merry.	X He loves to eat, drinking, and to be merry. X He loves to eat, drinking, and being merry. X He loves eating, to drink, and to be merry.

REFERENCE

K. Werner,Patricia.2007.Mosaic 1 Grammar;Silver Edition.McGraw-Hill:New York