Infinitives

Summary: This handout provides a detailed overview (including descriptions and examples) of gerunds, participles, and infinitives. Contributors:Purdue OWL Last Edited: 2010-04-17 05:52:38

An infinitive is a verbal consisting of the word to plus a verb (in its simplest "stem" form) and functioning as a noun, adjective, or adverb. The term verbal indicates that an infinitive, like the other two kinds of verbals, is based on a verb and therefore expresses action or a state of being. However, the infinitive may function as a subject, direct object, subject complement, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Although an infinitive is easy to locate because of the to + verb form, deciding what function it has in a sentence can sometimes be confusing.

To wait seemed foolish when decisive action was required. (subject) Everyone wanted to go. (direct object) His ambition is to fly. (subject complement) He lacked the strength to resist. (adjective) We must study to learn. (adverb)

Be sure not to confuse an infinitivea verbal consisting of to plus a verbwith a prepositional phrase beginning with to, which consists of to plus a noun or pronoun and any modifiers.

Infinitives: to fly, to draw, to become, to enter, to stand, to catch, to belong Prepositional Phrases: to him, to the committee, to my house, to the mountains, to us, to this address

An Infinitive Phrase is a group of words consisting of an infinitive and the modifier(s) and/or (pro)noun(s) or noun phrase(s) that function as the actor(s), direct object(s), indirect object(s), or complement(s) of the action or state expressed in the infinitive, such as: We intended to leave early.

The infinitive phrase functions as the direct object of the verb intended. to leave (infinitive) early (adverb) I have a paper to write before class.

The infinitive phrase functions as an adjective modifying paper. to write (infinitive) before class (prepositional phrase as adverb) Phil agreed to give me a ride.

The infinitive phrase functions as the direct object of the verb agreed. to give (infinitive) me (indirect object of action expressed in infinitive) a ride (direct object of action expressed in infinitive) They asked me to bring some food.

The infinitive phrase functions as the direct object of the verb asked. me (actor or "subject" of infinitive phrase) to bring (infinitive) some food (direct object of action expressed in infinitive) Everyone wanted Carol to be the captain of the team.

The infinitive phrase functions as the direct object of the verb wanted. Carol (actor or "subject" of infinitive phrase) to be (infinitive) the captain (subject complement for Carol, via state of being expressed in infinitive) of the team (prepositional phrase as adjective) Actors: In these last two examples the actor of the infinitive phrase could be roughly characterized as the "subject" of the action or state expressed in the infinitive. It is somewhat misleading to use the word subject, however, since an infinitive phrase is not a full clause with a subject and a finite verb. Also notice that when it is a pronoun, the actor appears in the objective case (me, not I, in the fourth example). Certain verbs, when they take an infinitive direct object, require an actor for the infinitive phrase; others can't have an actor. Still other verbs can go either way, as the charts below illustrate.

Verbs that take infinitive objects without actors:

agree fail learn prefer remember Examples: begin hesitate neglect pretend start continue hope offer promise try decide intend plan refuse

Most students plan to study. We began to learn. They offered to pay. They neglected to pay. She promised to return.

In all of these examples no actor can come between the italicized main (finite) verb and the infinitive direct-object phrase.

Verbs that take infinitive objects with actors:

advise encourage instruct implore Examples: allow force invite incite convince hire permit appoint remind teach tell order

He reminded me to buy milk. Their fathers advise them to study. She forced the defendant to admit the truth. You've convinced the director of the program to change her position. I invite you to consider the evidence.

In all of these examples an actor is required after the italicized main (finite) verb and before the infinitive direct-object phrase.

Verbs that use either pattern:

ask expect (would) like want need

Examples:

I asked to see the records. I asked him to show me the records. Trent expected his group to win. Trent expected to win. Brenda likes to drive fast. Brenda likes her friend to drive fast.

In all of these examples the italicized main verb can take an infinitive object with or without an actor. Punctuation: If the infinitive is used as an adverb and is the beginning phrase in a sentence, it should be set off with a comma; otherwise, no punctuation is needed for an infinitive phrase.

To buy a basket of flowers, John had to spend his last dollar. To improve your writing, you must consider your purpose and audience.

Points to remember
1. An infinitive is a verbal consisting of the word to plus a verb; it may be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb. 2. An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive plus modifier(s), object(s), complement(s), and/or actor(s). 3. An infinitive phrase requires a comma only if it is used as an adverb at the beginning of a sentence.

Split infinitives
Split infinitives occur when additional words are included between to and the verb in an infinitive. Many readers find a single adverb splitting the infinitive to be acceptable, but this practice should be avoided in formal writing. Examples:

I like to on a nice day walk in the woods. * (unacceptable) On a nice day, I like to walk in the woods. (revised) I needed to quickly gather my personal possessions. (acceptable in informal contexts) I needed to gather my personal possessions quickly. (revised for formal contexts)

We often use an infinitive to talk about a persons purpose. He rose to speak. She came to the city to look for work. He sat down to rest.

We can also use in order to or so as to. She came to the city so as to look for work.

So as to and in order to are more common before verbs like be, have, know etc. He raised his voice so as to be heard. He got up early in order to have enough time to pack.

Before a negative infinitive, we normally use so as or in order. I am leaving now so as not to be late. (NOT I am leaving now not to be late.)

So / so as to / in order to

We use so / so as to / in order to , to express purpose.

Example: A: Why did you call him? B: I called him in order to / so as to / to invite him.

The negatives are not to / in order not to / so as not to Example: I called him not to congratulate him , but to invite him.

Complete the sentences #1. 1) You have to dress now __________________ be late for the party. [ ]in order not to [ ]in order to 2) Stop talking __________________ let me hear what he is saying. [ ]to [ ]not to 3) __________________ be late,you have to dress now! [ ]so as not to [ ]so as to 4) I am writing __________________ congratulate you for your success. [ ]not to [ ]to 5) __________________ complete her registration, she has to pay the fees as soon as possible. [ ]not to [ ]to 6) I will go to university __________________ study English, not to study French. [ ]not to [ ]to 7) Read your text silently __________________ disturb the others. [ ]in order to [ ]in order not to 8) Revise well __________________ get good marks. [ ]to [ ]not to 9) Call him __________________ tell you what happened with him there. [ ]to [ ]not to 10) She has to have experience __________________ be accepted in that company. [ ]not to [ ]to

ANSWERS #1: 1. in order not to 2. to 3. so as not to 4. to 5. to 6. to 7. in order not to 8. to 9. to 10. To ANSWERS 2: 1. As regards 2. for 3. to/in order to/so as to 4. in order not to/so as not to 5. about 6. only to 7. and 8. for 9. for 10. As
Aswers #3
1. Concentrate on your exercise so as not to 2. You have to wake up to 4. She left work early to 6. I will go to university to on time. participate in the forum. be at home when he arrives. the crew can escape when the ship sinks. be overweight. continue my studies. 3. You have to registrate in order to 5. Ships carry life boats so that make any mistakes.

7. He exercises regularly In order not to

8. So that you can produce a good essay, you need to edit your writing before you hand it in. 9. she works hard so that she can earn a living. we may live more safely. 10. These men risk their lives so that

Complete the sentences #2. 1. I'm here _____________________________ an interview with Professeur Thomson. 2. We went to London _____________________________ see my sister. 3. I took a taxi _____________________________ lose time. 4. Will you find out _____________________________ Sunday ? 5. He went off the war _____________________________ be killed ten days later. 6. She fell asleep _____________________________ woke up four hours later. 7. I've bought a few clothes _____________________________ the new baby. 8. I got fined _____________________________ travelling without a ticket. 9. I had her _____________________________ a teacher when I was at primary school. 10. _____________________________ the next holidays, nothing has been decided.

Purpose with to, in order to and so as to

Use to , so as to, and in order to to express purpose in the affirmative form. Examples:

He is looking for a part time job to save some pocket money. She wakes up early in order to be on time to work. They visited him so as to offer their condolences for the death of his wife.

Use so as not to and in order not to to express purpose in the negative form. Examples:

They woke up early in order not to be late. She exercises regularly so as not to get fat. He helped the new policewoman so as not to fail in her first mission.

Purpose with so that

You can also express purpose with so that. In this case you generally need to use a modal. Examples:

She told him to play quiet so that he wouldn't disturb the neighbors. He got a visa so that he can travel to the USA. He decided to stay in England for a while so that he could practice his English.

I would like you to talk about the difference between to + infinitive and in order to + infinitive. In these two sentences: a) I went to school to study. b) I went to school in order to study. (b) seems to be all right, though perhaps you do not say it. Roger Woodham replies: to / in order to. / so as to. You are right, Gyonggu. If we use in order to it sounds a bit more formal and explicit than to by itself, but both are equally possible in both spoken and written English. They both convey exactly the same meaning when expressing

purpose: To cut the tree down, I had to hack through the undergrowth first. In order to cut the tree down, I had to hack through the undergrowth first.

In order to is normal before a negative infinitive. We do not usually use to by itself here: In order not to oversleep, I set the alarm for seven oclock. I walked very slowly across the room with the drinks in order not to spill them.

We can also use so as to instead of in order to and it carries the same degree of explicitness or formality: We moved house last year so as to be closer to our children and grandchildren. I gave him a cheque in advance to ease his financial problems and so as not to delay the building work.

Before stative verbs like know, seem, appear, understand,have, etc, it is more usual to use in order to or so as to: I talked to them both for half an hour so as to have a thorough understanding of the problem. I followed her around all day in order to know whether she had any intention of meeting him.

So that.../ in order that ... These structures are also frequently used to talk about purpose, although so that is more common and less formal than in order that. Note that these structures are normally used with (modal) auxiliary verbs. Compare the following: Hes staying on in Australia for nine more months so thathe can perfect his English. Hes staying on in Australia for nine more months in order to perfect his English. Were going to leave by three so that we dont get stuck in the rush-hour traffic.

Were going to leave by three so as not to get stuck in the rush-hour traffic. Jamie had an afternoon nap so that he wouldnt fall asleep at the concert later. Jamie had an afternoon nap in order not to fall asleep at the concert later. In order that you may pass the exam, we recommend you read through all your notes. (Very formal.) In order to pass the exam, we recommend you read through all your notes. (Less formal.)

Note that in informal colloquial English, that may be omitted from the so that construction. Listen out for this variation, though I wouldnt recommend that you use it: Ill come early so we can have a good chat before Denise arrives. Ive bought a video camera so I can film the children as they grow up. We shall wear warm clothes when we go camping in October so we dont get cold.

Complete the sentences #3. so as, so as not to, so that, to, not to, in order to, in order not to. 1. Concentrate on your exercise _________ make any mistakes. 2. You have to wake up _________ on time. 3. You have to registrate _________ participate in the forum. 4. She left work early _________ be at home when he arrives. 5. Ships carry life boats _________ the crew can escape when the ship sinks. 6. I will go to university _________ continue my studies. 7. He exercises regularly _________ be overweight. 8. _________ you can produce a good essay, you need to edit your writing before you hand it in. 9. she works hard _________ she can earn a living. 10. These men risk their lives _________ we may live more safely.