Infinitives in English grammar for all competitive exams. We learn what is infinitive in English grammar with examples. Types of infinitive and examples.
In this post we will learn full infinitives and bare infinitives with examples. Bare infinitives are also called as zero infinitives.
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infinitive examples in english:
What is infinitive and examples?
Infinitives are a special form of verbs that can be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
They are usually made by adding the word ‘to’ before the base verb
They can be useful when discussing actions without actually doing the action.
E.g.: She is reading to attend the exam.
In the above example ‘to attend’ is the infinitive.
How do you identify an infinitive in a sentence?
To identify an infinitive phrase in a sentence:
First, find the word ‘to’.
Second, if the word after to is a verb, then it is an infinitive.
What is full infinitive and bare infinitive?
1) There are two main types of infinitives. First is full infinitives, also known as to-infinitives, which use the word to before the base form of a verb.
2) Second is bare infinitives, also known as zero infinitives, which use only the base form of a verb without to.
Types of tense-based infinitives:
1. Simple infinitives
The simple infinitive refers to the same time as that of the preceding verb:
Formula: to + base verb
I was glad to see her.
I’ve had enough food to eat.
I had many books to read.
This soup is too hot to eat.
2. Continuous Infinitive
The continuous infinitive usually indicates an action that has been or will be going on for a certain period of time.
Formula: to + be + ing
Examples:
He would love to be lying in his bed all day.
Sham seem to be losing interest in the cricket.
She likes to be attracting a lot of attention.
3. Perfect Infinitive
It refers to a point in time that is prior to the time the statement is being made. The regular present perfect tense structure followed by ‘to.’
Types of infinitive and examples
Formula: To + have + Past Participle
Examples:
She would wish to have seen the movie.
I’m very glad to have met you again.
He pretended to have seen the show.
4. Perfect Continuous Infinitive
The regular present perfect continuous tense structure follows the “to” and makes it perfect continuous infinitive.
Formula: to + have been + Present Participle
Examples:
They seemed to have been laughing for the past hour.
You looked to have been lying your way into the job.
I’m glad to have been living in India for the last four years.
5. Passive infinitives
The passive infinitives shift the focus of the sentence towards the object when the speaker decides to put a certain emphasis on it.
Formula: to + be + past participle
Examples:
This has to be done.
John is hoping to be elected Chairman.
The car needs to be washed.
6. WH-Infinitive
Infinitives followed by the WH question words usually precede base verbs in general.
Formula: Wh word + to + base verb
Examples:
I asked what to learn for competitive exams.
No one could tell me how to start the computer.
I had no idea where to go for dinner.
7. Bare infinitive (Zero infinitive)
The word ‘to’ is frequently used with an infinitive, but it is not an essential part or sign of it. When an infinitive is used without the marker ‘to’ it is called a bare infinitive or zero infinitive.
Examples:
She bade him go.
You’d better call a doctor.
He made me cry.
Watch this video for the explanation of Infinitives in English grammar for all competitive exams.