Grammar & Usage Grammar & Usage

DEVELOPING SKILLS Set B
Unit 4 The to-infinitive Grammar & Usage
Grammar & Usage

Unit 4 The to-infinitive
4.1 Basic structure
4.2 Infinitive forms
4.3 When/how to use the infinitive
Grammar Practice
Part A Part B Part C Part D Part E
Language Practice
Part A Part B Part C
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1
4.1 Basic structure

The infinitive is the form of the verb that doesn’t change to
indicate person, number or time. It is formed by to + root
verb (be, go, fall, cry, etc.). This form is commonly known
as the ‘infinitive’ or the ‘to-infinitive’.
She wants to go with us.
Compare: She usually goes with us.
They refused to help us.

Compare: They helped us yesterday.
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4.2 Infinitive forms

The to-infinitive can be used in different forms:
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Tense Form Examples

 simple -
used when the to do (active) I am happy to do you a favour.
infinitive shows an
action taking place
at the same time as
that of the main
The work needs to be done.
verb to be + p.p.
(passive) Compare: You are to do the
work.
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Tense Form Examples

 perfect - Tom is believed to have done
used when the most of the work.
to have + p.p.
infinitive shows an (active) Compare: We believe that
action taking place Tom has done
before that of the most of the work.
main verb
The work is believed to have
been done by more than one
to have been person.
done Compare: We believe the
(passive) work has been
done by more
than one person.
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Tense Form Examples

 simple
continuous -
to be + -ing
used when the (active) The economy appears to be
infinitive shows an
doing well.
ongoing action
taking place at the Compare: It appears that
same time as the the economy is
action of the main No passive doing well.
verb form.
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Tense Form Examples

 perfect
continuous - to have been
used when the + -ing Sally seems to have been
infinitive shows an (active) feeling unwell today.
ongoing action
Compare: It seems that
which takes place
Sally has been
before that of the
feeling unwell
main verb No passive today.
form.
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1 We use the passive form when the subject of the

infinitive is not the subject of the main verb (i.e. the
subject is not the doer of the action). The passive
form can be simple or perfect.
2 We form the negative by putting not before the

infinitive.
He told me not to break the rules.
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4.3 When/how to use the infinitive
Structure Examples Remarks

 as the To stop a bad It would be common to begin the
subject habit is not sentence with it.
easy. It is not easy to stop a bad
habit.
The verb that goes with the infinitive
subject is singular. (is, was, has, gives,
etc.)
To do two jobs at the same
time is not easy.
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 after the This We can use the structure verb to be (am/
verb to be apartment is are/is, etc.) + to-infinitive for plans and
to let. orders.
Our plan is to start the hike
before noon.
You are to see the principal after
school.
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 after He promised Verbs that can be followed by a to-
specific to help us. infinitive include:
verbs afford agree appear arrange
ask attempt decide expect
fail hope learn manage
mean (= intend) offer prepare
pretend promise refuse seem
threaten want wish
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 in the I don’t know Other examples:
structure what to say. Can you explain how to get
verb + there?
question
word (e.g. She had learned when to stay
what, how, quiet.
etc.) + to-
infinitive
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 in the The shop Other examples:
structure assistant He asked me when to submit
verb + showed me the report.
object + how to insert
question the memory Mrs Chan taught me how to
word + to- card. improve my writing.
infinitive
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 after a noun I have a lot of We use the passive form if the subject of
work to do the sentence is not the doer of the action,
today. as expressed by the infinitive.
The case is to be handled at
once.
Compare: You are to handle
the case at once.
In the there + be structure, however, it
does not matter whether we use the
active or passive form.
There is a lot of work to do/to be
done today.
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 after an I’m glad to Some common patterns with
adjective see you adjectives
again. 1 of personal qualities (kind, foolish,
nice, considerate, rude, polite, etc.)
You were kind to offer your
assistance.
It was kind of you to offer
your assistance.
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 after an I’m glad to Some common patterns with
adjective see you adjectives
again. 2 impersonal adjectives such as
necessary, dangerous, safe, easy,
difficult, important, (im)possible,
etc.
It’s impossible to prove that
she’s lying.
It’s impossible for us to
prove that she’s lying.
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 as an She called to 1 the purpose of an action
adverbial tell us the
good news.
My brother is 2 the result of an action

too young to
look after
himself.
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 as an He woke up to 3 a fact subsequent to an action
adverbial find the house
on fire.
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Grammar Practice
Complete the following sentences using the correct infinitive
form of the verbs in brackets. The first one has been done for
you.
Teacher’s
Teacher’s notes
notes
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1 to help
When he saw that we were busy, he offered ____________
(help) us.
2 to have
We invited Joan _______________ (have) dinner with us.
3 to be introduced (introduce)
More bus-only lanes are __________________
within the next six months.
4 to be transferred (transfer) to another

The patient is ___________________
hospital soon.
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5 to notice
He’s a careless person. He’s not likely ________________
(notice) the mistake.
6 not to swim
He warned us _________________ (not/swim) in the river.
7 to have been sold

Mr Chan’s car is rumoured ______________________
(sell) for $800,000.
8 to hear
We were all shocked ________________ (hear) the news.
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9 to realise
She got to the airport only __________________ (realise)
that she had left her passport at home.
to buy
10 People under 18 are not allowed __________________
(buy) cigarettes.
to be reading
11 ‘Where’s Tom?’ ‘He’s likely _______________________
(read) in the library now.’
12 The kitchen is a mess. There are many dirty dishes

to wash/to be washed (wash) and rubbish
________________________
to dispose/to be disposed (dispose) of.
bags _________________________ P.32-33
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Complete the following sentences using the correct infinitive

form of the verbs in the box. Each verb should be used once
only. The first one has been done for you.
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1 to fit
This folder is too big __________________ into my bag.
2 to be posted
This letter is urgent. It needs __________________ by this
evening.
3 to be sold
These items are not __________________ . They are for
display only.
4 to tell
I don’t know whether __________________ him or not.
BOX P.33
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5 to
Thanks for your card. It was very nice of you ___________
remember
_________________ my birthday.
6 to have arrived by now.

The guests were expected __________________
7 to
I saw her at the entrance to the mall. She seemed ________
be waiting
_________________ for someone.
8 not to go
As the weather was bad, we decided __________________
swimming.
BOX P.33
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9 to call
Their neighbour threatened __________________ the police
if they didn’t stop making so much noise.
to be
10 Don’t disturb her. She seems __________________ busy.
BOX P.33
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Read the information below, then form sentences using the

words in brackets. Begin each of the sentences you make
with ‘It is/was’. The first one has been done for you.
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1 We had no guidebook. (difficult/find/place)
It was difficult to find the place.

________________________________________________
________________________________________________
2 The chair is shaky. (not/safe/sit/it)
It is not safe to sit on it.

________________________________________________
________________________________________________
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3 Tommy overslept this morning. (silly/him/go/bed/late/last

night)
It was silly of him to have gone to bed late last

________________________________________________
night.
________________________________________________
4 It rained heavily yesterday. (sensible/Tom/bring/umbrella)
It was sensible of Tom to have brought an

________________________________________________
umbrella.
________________________________________________
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5 John has lost his identity card. (careless/him/lose/it)
It was careless of him to have lost it.

________________________________________________
________________________________________________
6 I could hardly believe my ears when I heard the news. (too/

good/be/true)
It was too good to be true.

________________________________________________
________________________________________________
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7 Mr Chan is giving up smoking. (sensible/him/stop)
It is sensible of him to stop.

________________________________________________
________________________________________________
8 Failure to observe traffic signs could lead to accidents.

(important/drivers/obey/them)
It is important for drivers to obey them.

________________________________________________
________________________________________________
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Read the given sentences, then rewrite them using the word(s)
in brackets. The first one has been done for you.
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1 ‘Don’t play in the rain,’ Mrs Wong said to Ted. (tell)
Mrs Wong told Ted not to play in the rain.

________________________________________________
________________________________________________
2 ‘Don’t forget to buy the newspaper,’ Mr Chan said to his

wife. (remind)
Mr Chan reminded his wife to buy the

________________________________________________
newspaper.
________________________________________________
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3 The situation is getting out of control. (appear)
The situation appears to be getting out of

________________________________________________
control.
________________________________________________
4 You should have told the truth. (wrong)
were wrong not to have told the truth.

You ____________________________________________
________________________________________________
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5 You don’t need to apply in person. (necessary)
It isn’t/is not necessary for you to apply in

________________________________________________
person.
________________________________________________
6 I don’t have enough money to buy the guitar. (afford)
can’t/cannot afford to buy the guitar.

I ______________________________________________
___________________________________________
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7 She didn’t know who she could ask for help. (turn to)
didn’t/did not know who to turn to for help.

She ____________________________________________
________________________________________________
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Respond to your friend’s remarks using the given words.

Write in full sentences. The first one has been done for you.
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1 kind
Friend: John offered to help me.

You: It was kind of John/him to have offered to
________________________________________
help you.
________________________________________
2 careless
Friend: I left my umbrella on the bus.

You: It was careless of you to have left your
________________________________________
umbrella on the bus.
________________________________________
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3 not sensible
Friend: Johnny regretted making that decision.

You: wasn’t/was not sensible of him to have
It ______________________________________
made that decision.
________________________________________
4 not polite
Friend: Emily left without saying good-bye.

You: It wasn’t/was not polite of Emily/her to
________________________________________
leave without saying good-bye.
________________________________________
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5 inconsiderate
Friend: They came home late.

You: It was inconsiderate of them to have
________________________________________
come home late.
________________________________________
6 wrong
Friend: Tom shouldn’t have opened my letter.

You: was wrong of Tom/him to have
It ______________________________________
opened your letter.
________________________________________
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7 not necessary
Friend: Shouldn’t we dress smartly for the party?

You: it isn’t/is not necessary to dress
No, ____________________________________
smartly for the party.
________________________________________
8 advisable
Friend: I think we should save money for a rainy day.

You: advisable to
It’s always _____________________
save (money) for a rainy day.
_______________________________
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Language Practice
Match the half-sentences in Column A with those in Column
B. Write your answers in the spaces provided. Note that the
items in Column B can be used ONCE only. The first one
has been done for you as an example.
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Column A
1 The child is not tall enough C

_________
2 Our plan is to set off early G

_________
3 Is it possible I
_________
4 She’s easy F
_________
5 She turned on the light A

_________
COLUMN B P.36
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Column A
6 The missing girl is feared H

_________
7 Mr Chan hasn’t decided B

_________
8 It was a cold night and there was hardly D

_________
anyone
9 The secretary has a lot of correspondence J

_________
10 There are some important matters E

_________
COLUMN B P.36
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Read the first sentences. Then complete the second sentences

appropriately. The first one has been done for you.
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1 Brenda eats a lot of fruit and vegetables. ‘It’s important

to eat healthily
__________________________ ,’ she always says.
2 Sarah has a good work schedule. She knows it’s important
to organise her work/studies .

_______________________________
3 Linda is thinking about holidaying in Japan. She has emailed

to find out more
a travel agency __________________________ about their
package tours.
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4 Frank was delighted to see Ann in the library. ‘I didn’t expect

see you here
____________________________ , ’ he said.
to
5 Mr and Mrs Chan have bought a new flat. They hope _____
move in
___________________ very soon.
to visit
6 Mary was very excited. She was going ___________________
Beijing in the summer.
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Complete Winnie’s letter by choosing a suitable word for

each blank. Make sure that your answers are grammatically
correct. The first one has been done for you.
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Dear Mum and Dad
It’s been three days since I (1) home and I left

(1) ____________
already (2) you a lot, but Linda and I are (3) a miss
(2) ____________
great time here in Shanghai. Uncle Liu (4) a having

(3) ____________
day off yesterday and we (5) on a sightseeing took

(4) ____________
tour of the city. Today it’ll be Aunt Sally’s went

(5) ____________
turn to (6) us around. They’ve been very kind. show

(6) ____________
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Shanghai is a big and beautiful city. So far,

we’ve (7) to Yuyuan Gardens and the Bazaar, been
(7) ____________
the Jin Mao Building and the Shanghai

Museum. Uncle Liu says there’s a lot more to
(8) and I can’t wait! see/visit
(8) ____________
The first place that we visited, the Yuyuan

Gardens, is (9) with local people as well as popular
(9) ____________
tourists.
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It’s (10) to have been built by the wealthy Pan said

(10) ____________
family during the Ming Dynasty, and it

contains many beautiful plants, pavilions and
ponds.
Right next to the Garden is the Yuyuan Bazaar,

where there are many souvenirs to (11) . I’ve buy
(11) ____________
(12) some presents for you both, and I’m (13) bought
(12) ____________
you’ll like them. sure

(13) ____________
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Jin Mao Building is among the tallest buildings

in the world. You get a beautiful (14) of the view
(14) ____________
city from the top, but at a price. Believe it or pay

(15) ____________
not, we had to (15) $50 each to (16) to the top! ride/go

(16) ___________
I’m afraid I must stop here, but will tell you

about the museum in my next letter. Take
care!
With love
Winnie P.37
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DEVELOPING SKILLS Set B

Unit 4 The to-infinitive Grammar & Usage

Grammar & Usage

4.1 Basic structure

They refused to help us.

4.2 Infinitive forms

Tense Form Examples

Tense Form Examples

Tense Form Examples

Tense Form Examples

1 We use the passive form when the subject of the

2 We form the negative by putting not before the

4.3 When/how to use the infinitive

Structure Examples Remarks

Structure Examples Remarks

Structure Examples Remarks

Structure Examples Remarks

Structure Examples Remarks

Structure Examples Remarks

Structure Examples Remarks

Structure Examples Remarks

Structure Examples Remarks

My brother is 2 the result of an action

Structure Examples Remarks

within the next six months.

4 to be transferred (transfer) to another

7 to have been sold

12 The kitchen is a mess. There are many dirty dishes

Complete the following sentences using the correct infinitive

6 to have arrived by now.

Read the information below, then form sentences using the

1 We had no guidebook. (difficult/find/place)

It was difficult to find the place.

2 The chair is shaky. (not/safe/sit/it)

It is not safe to sit on it.

3 Tommy overslept this morning. (silly/him/go/bed/late/last

It was silly of him to have gone to bed late last

4 It rained heavily yesterday. (sensible/Tom/bring/umbrella)

It was sensible of Tom to have brought an

5 John has lost his identity card. (careless/him/lose/it)

It was careless of him to have lost it.

6 I could hardly believe my ears when I heard the news. (too/

It was too good to be true.

7 Mr Chan is giving up smoking. (sensible/him/stop)

It is sensible of him to stop.

8 Failure to observe traffic signs could lead to accidents.

It is important for drivers to obey them.

1 ‘Don’t play in the rain,’ Mrs Wong said to Ted. (tell)

Mrs Wong told Ted not to play in the rain.

2 ‘Don’t forget to buy the newspaper,’ Mr Chan said to his

Mr Chan reminded his wife to buy the

3 The situation is getting out of control. (appear)

The situation appears to be getting out of

4 You should have told the truth. (wrong)

were wrong not to have told the truth.

5 You don’t need to apply in person. (necessary)

It isn’t/is not necessary for you to apply in