When do we use the infinitive?

Whether we use the to-infinitive or the infinitive

without to depends on the grammatical
structure.

The forms of the infinitive without two or. Or He let me leave.

the same but without the two. I'd rather be lying on the beach.

Negation I'd prefer not to go on Friday.

To form the negative, we put not to be for the I'd rather not go on Friday.
infinitive.
Forms
simple to do? I need to get a new phone.
Continuous to be doing. He appears to be enjoying himself.
Perfect to have done. I hope to have finished by Friday.
Perfect continuous. To have been doing. It seems to have been raining.

Infinitive clause
an infinitive followed by an
object
Compliment
adverbial is called an infinitive clause.
When an infinitive clause includes a preposition.
The proposition generally goes in its normal
position, often
after a verb or adjective.
I don't want to leave.
I need to get a new computer.
Jackie seems to be really nice.
What's the best way to get to your house?
There are a number of places in which to hide.
There are a number of places to hide in.
In formal English, the infinitive clause can begin
with the proposition and the relative pronoun.

Split infinitive
We can sometimes put a one-word adverbial between two and the verb.

This is called a split infinitive.

Some people consider this to be incorrect English, but it is commonly used, especially in informal
contexts and in speaking.

Our teachers used to really make us work hard.

I need to quickly check my emails.

Use of the infinitive

1 To add information to what is We need to leave soon. [verb]

expressed by certain It was lovely to see you. [adj]
verbs It's time to go. [noun]

1
 adjectives
nouns.

2 Insert certain tense forms He is to move to a new job next

3 To explain the
• reason
• purpose
• function of an action.
4 As subject or complement.
week.
I'm going to get some bread.
[purpose]
I'm making a poster to
advertise the college party.
[purpose/function]
To win will be
unbelievable.[subject]
The sensible thing is to wait
here. [complement]

For uses of the two infinitive, 51 to 56, And the inventive without to 49 to 50.

We use the terminology to infinitive, and infinitive without to.

However, you may be familiar with other terms, such as infinitive without to, full infinitive, bare
infinitive, et cetera.

Infinitive without to
We use the infinitive without to:

After the auxiliary verb do. What do you want for lunch?

After modals You must be here by 6:30.

And after certain verbs. They made me wait for half an hour.

After do
I don't like it.
We use the infinitive without to in question. He doesn't drive.
Does she live in Rome?
And negative forms after the auxiliary verb do. Did you read his book?
What do you do?

After modal verbs.

• To be. You'll be OK.

• Might. It might rain later.
• Should. They should be here now.
We use the infinitive without to after modal I can't play the piano.
verbs

2
But no to these modal-like phrases with two. You have got to be joking.
You're not allowed to take photos.
• Be able to. I wasn't able to fix the coffee machine.
• Be allowed to
• Be going to
• Have got to.
• Ought to.

After had better, We'd better be going soon.

I'd rather get a taxi.
would rather, Let's take a picnic rather than spend money in a
Rather than. restaurant.
etc

After make We made the children clean up.

Let. The book made me think.
Have. Mr. Smith, let us leave early.
Help plus object. I'll have my assistant contact you this week.
He helped me to tidy up.
however, we can also use help with the two He helped me tidy up.
infinitive and with or without an object. He helped me to tidy up.
He helps to tidy up.
when we use making the passive. We use the We made the children clean up the mess.
to- infinitive. They made me wait for ages.
I was made to wait for ages.
The children were made to clean up the mess.

After
• see
• hear
etc
• See Did anyone see him leave?
• Hear I think I heard a door close.
• Feel
• Notice

Pattern: vb of perception + obj

also use the -ing form after these verbs. I saw the accident happen.
To express an extended action or for something I saw him playing football.
in progress.

Here are some more uses of let plus infinitive Let's go for a drink, shall we?
without to. Let go, you're hurting me.
Will you let me know when Daria arrives?
Can you let me have a copy of the photo?

3
We also use it after certain 1. Why not go by bus?
words and structures.
2. Go and make a coffee, will you?

3. Try and do better next time.

4. You've done nothing all day except watch TV.

5. The best thing to do is to start again.

When we're questioning 1. Why go out if you're feeling so ill?

something, we can use the
infinitive without to after 2. Why get an expensive TV if you hardly ever watch it.
Why
We use this structure with 1. why bother learning English if you're never going to use
if and it?
when.
2. Why get a taxi when it's only a 5 minute walk?
when we are making a 1. Why not phone him instead of texting?
suggestion.
The meaning is similar to why 2. Why not go by train? It's much quicker.
don't you?

When we are. 1. Come and have a nice cup of tea.

• Making suggestions
• Giving orders 2. That box looks heavy. I'll come and help you with it.
• And making requests.
We can use the expressions. 3. Go and see who's at the door, will you?
Come and + bare inf
Go and + bare inf 4. Could you go and turn the TV off if you're not watching
it?

After Try and be more careful next time.

try and We’ll try and stay a bit longer next week.
We can also use to-infinitive Try to be more careful next time.
and gerund after try Try being more careful next time.
After I'll do anything in the house except iron.
• except
• but You have done nothing but complain all day.
After: all we can do is try again.
do + be The best thing you can do is to keep quiet.
in cleft sentences The best thing you can do is keep quiet.
This is usually when we are: The first thing we did was apologise to them.
making suggestions
explaining something
Try in the imperative with Try and remember.
modal verbs Can you try and fix it?

4
 She tried to fix it.
They're trying to renew their visa.

For more about try, see the section on the uses of verbs

Verb + (object) + to-infinitive

Verb + to-infinitive

Verb + obj + to-infinitive some verbs That are followed by the to

infinitive must take an object.
Some of the more common and useful verbs I advised I advise everyone to listen carefully.
include. They persuaded me to go with them.
1. Advise
2. Allow
3. Ask
4. Beg We believe the allegations to be false.
5. Cause. I imagined you to be taller.
6. Choose I imagined him to be taller.
7. Dare.
8. Drive
9. Enable
10. Encourage
11. Forbid
12. Force.
13. Get
14. Help.
15. Inspire.
16. Instruct
17. Invite.
18. Lead
19. Leave
20. Mean
21. Need
22. Order
23. Pay.
24. Permit
25. Persuade
26. Remind.
27. Require
28. Teach
29. Tell
30. Tempt
31. trust
32. urge
33. want
34. warn

Vb with or without an object He asked John to leave.

He asked to leave.
What do you want to do?

5
 What do you want us to do?
Multiple verbs I've decided to learn to drive.
Do we need to pay to get in?
Forms of the infinitive I intend to be sitting by the pool this time
tomorrow.
I hope to have finished the report by Friday.

There is no rule which tells us which verb are followed by the to infinitive.

Try to notice and learn them as you come across them.

Verb + to-infinitive

Adjective + to-infinitive

Noun + to-infinitive

Question word + to-infinitive

Other uses of the to+infinitive