INFINITIVES: Definition; Rules and Explanation with Examples
The
infinitive is the base form of a verb, often followed by ‘to’.
Look at the
following examples;
1. To blame someone is easy.
2. Baby
likes to play ball.
3. I want to work hard.
In the above
sentences the words in the bold letters are infinitives.
In sentence
1 ‘to blame’ is infinitive works as a noun, is the subject of the verb ‘is’ but
like a verb it also takes an object.
In sentence
2 ‘to play’ is infinitive it works as a noun, is the object of the verb ‘want’;
but like a verb it also modified by an adverb.
In sentence
3 ‘to go’ is infinitive it ‘likes’; but like a verb it also takes an object.
Uses of
infinitive
I.
In some cases infinitive works as a noun, it is the subject of the verb.
Observe
the following sentences. Words in the bold letters are infinitives which work
as a noun.
1. To
find fault is easy.
2. To
err is human.
3. To
ride is my hobby.
II.
In some cases the infinitive works as a noun but it is also, the object of the
verb. Look at the following sentences. The words in bold are infinitives and also
object of the verb.
1. Birds
love to sing.
2. Baby
likes to play.
3. He wants to travel.
III.
In some cases the infinitive works as a noun and subject of the verb but also
takes the object like a verb.
Look at the
following sentences. Words in bold letters are infinitives.
1. To
respect our parents is our responsibility.
{To respect
– infinitive; our parents – object for infinitive (verb respect); to respect
our parents – subject of the verb is}
IV.
In some sentences the infinitive like a noun is an object of the verb, but,
like a verb, it also takes an object.
Look the
following sentence.
1. He
refused to obey the orders.
{To obey-
infinitive like a noun; refused- verb; to obey –object of the verb refused;
orders- object of to obey}
2. She
scored to get admission.
To get –
infinitive like a noun; scored – verb; to get- object of the verb scored;
admission- object of to get}
V.
In some sentences the infinitive like a noun, is the object of the verb, but,
like a verb, it also takes an object and is modified by an adverb.
Look at the
following sentence;
1. Many men
desire to make money quickly.
{To make-
infinitive like a noun; money – object of to make; quickly – adverb}
2. She wants
to go home quickly.
To work –
infinitive like a noun; home – object of to go; quickly- adverb}
VI.
In some cases the infinitive is as the object of preposition
For example;
1. He had no
choice but to obey.
VII.
in some cases to qualify the verb, usually to express purpose; such as,
He called to
see my brother.( for purpose of seeing
my brother)
VIII.
In some cases to qualify an adjective
For example;
1. Figs are
good to eat.
IX.
In some sentences to qualify the sentence.
For example;
1. To tell
the truth, I quite forgot my promise.
We notice that the infinitive is a sort of
noun with certain characteristic of the verb.
The infinitives
can be used with ‘to’. But sometimes it can be used without ‘to’.
After
certain verbs {bid, let, make, need, dare (when it mean to challenge), see,
hear} we use the infinitive without ‘to’.
For example;
1. Bid him
go there.
2. Let him
sit there.
3. Make him
stand.
4. You dare
not do it.
5. I saw him
do it.
6. I heard
him cry.
After modal
verbs except ought, we use infinitive without ‘to’.
The
infinitive without ‘to’ is also used after the verbs shall, will, do, did,
should, would, may, might and the verbs must and can, could. They are called
Bare Infinitives.
Look at the
following examples.
1. I can answer the phone. = I am able to answer
the phone.
2. Robots
can build cars. = Robots are able to build the cars.
3. He may
go. = He permitted to go.
4. You
should do it. = You will be compelled to do it.
5. He must
go there. = He has to go there.
6. I will
come tomorrow. =I am planning to come tomorrow.
The
infinitive without ‘to’ is also used after had better, had rather, would
rather, rather than such as.
For example;
1. You had
better ask permission.
2. I had
rather work then play.
3. He would
rather come than stay there.
4. She would
rather sing than dance.
The infinitive
may be active or passive. When active it may have a present and a perfect form,
and may merely name the act, or it may represent progressive or continued action.
Active
Present: to
love
Perfect: to
have loved
Present continuous:
to
be loving
Perfect continuous: to
have been loving
When passive
the Infinitive has a present and a perfect form.
Passive
Present:
to be loved
Perfect: to have been loved