INFINITIVES

Done by Franz H. M.
 STRUCTURE

to + verb (base form) =

infinitive

Examples:
To sneeze, to smash, to cry, to shriek, to jump, to dunk, to
read, to eat, to slurp

Note: Because an infinitive is not a verb, you cannot add s,

es, ed, or ing to the end. Ever
 FUNCTIONS OF INFINITIVES AND
INFINITIVES PHRASES
a. They act as subjects
Example:
To sleep is the only thing that right now I’m waiting for.

b. They act as objects

Example:
No matter how fascinating someone thinks the English class is,
sometimes I‟d like to just come when there are evaluations.

c. They act as subject complements (phrases that describe or

explain the subject)
Example:
As far as I‟m concerned, A teacher‟s job shouldn‟t be to waste
time doing extra-activities like watching videos or making
people write answers in the board.
THINGS TO KNOW
Negative infinitive:

NOT  TO
Example:
Not to avoid final exams is the thing that I learned today.

Differences

To in an infinitive  I plan to study for two exams tonight

!=
To as a preposition  I‟m used to playing DOTA at nights.
VERBS FOLLOWED BY INFINITIVES
-Certain verbs are followed only by infinitives.
Example: The offered to turn on the TV.

-Others verbs are followed by a required noun or pronoun + an

infinitive.
Example: I warned Rob to make an effort to finish that task.

-Although some others verbs are followed by an optional noun

or pronoun + an infinitive, depending of the verb.
Example:
I expected to finish this „project‟ on time, but I wasn‟t possible.
I expect the teacher to consider this „project‟ with at least 1
point.
TOO / ENOUGH WITH INFINITIVES
-Too and enough are often used before infinitives.

Too + adjective + infinitive

Example: …too tired to play…
Too + adverb + infinitive
Example: …too late to start…, …too fast to stop…

Adjective + Enough + infinitive  …strong enough to do

that…
Adverb + Enough + infinitive  …fast enough to be real…

Enough + noun + infinitive  enough money to pay

Noun + Enough + infinitive  money enough to pay <--

FORMAL
IT + INFINITIVE
-Infinitive as a subject

Example:
It‟s admirable to work in a foreign company.

-We can add “for + a noun or pronoun”  who or what does the
action

Example:
It‟s important for a student to do his tasks on time.
EXTRA INFORMATION? PART1
Recognize an infinitive even when it is missing
the “to”

The pattern looks like this:

special verb + direct object + “infinitive - to”

These verbs are feel, hear, help, let, make, see, and watch.

Examples:
When Danny heard the alarm clock buzz, he slapped the snooze
button and burrowed under the covers for ten more minutes of
sleep.

Since I had destroyed Sylvia's spotless kitchen while cooking, she

made me take her out for an expensive dinner.
EXTRA INFORMATION? PART2

To split or not to split?

Wrong: Sara hopes to quickly finish her chemistry homework

so that she can return to the more interesting Stephen King
novel she had to abandon.

Right: Sara hopes to finish her chemistry homework quickly

so that she can return to the more interesting Stephen King
novel she had to abandon.
SUMMARY
Points to remember
 An infinitive is a verbal consisting of the word to plus a verb; it
may be used as a noun, adjective, or adverb.

 An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive plus modifier(s),

object(s), complement(s), and/or actor(s).

 An infinitive phrase requires a comma only if it is used as an

adverb at the beginning of a sentence (*).

(*)
Example:
To improve your writing, you must consider your purpose and
audience.
QUESTIONS?
QUESTIONS?
THANK YOU