From English the word ‘ infinitive’ translates as “uncertain”. In fact, the very concept of the infinitive has become entrenched in the language as an impersonal form of the verb, which is devoid of any tense, person, number or mood:
In Russian, the indefinite form is also represented:
Tell him to SPEAK louder - nothing can be heard.
Tell him TO SPEAK louder, I can hear nothing.
It should be noted that in English, unlike Russian, we encounter six forms of the infinitive - simple, objective, infinitive phrases and complex shapes infinitive. In this article we will talk about the simple infinitive, consider its functions in a sentence, features of use and translation.
Simple infinitive in English
Let's see how the use of infinitive forms in English helps to implement grammatical relationships in a sentence.
The infinitive answers the question “What (to) do?”, however, it will never be used as an independent predicate. Distinctive feature the infinitive is the presence of a particle to and a complete lack of endings:
Infinitive vs. Verb (verb)
He likes to travel abroad. - He travels abroad.
He loves to travel abroad. - He travels abroad.
In some cases the particle to may be missing. For example, when paired with a modal verb in English, you should use the infinitive (initial form) without a particle to:
Can you feel the love tonight? -Can you feel the touch of love tonight?, - sings Elton John in the soundtrack to the cartoon “The Lion King”.
The simple form of the infinitive is a dictionary form and is used much more often than complex forms. They are addressed to avoid duality of meaning, in order to avoid distortion of the intent.
Using the English Infinitive in a Sentence
Speaking about a verb group, it can express part of a compound predicate, be defined by an adverb and have a direct object. As a member of a noun phrase, the infinitive is often used as a subject, object, and even a modifier.
Verb functions
Functions of a noun
In formal statements it usually appears at the beginning of the sentence, while in more informal communication introductory constructions like ‘ it is well-known’, ‘it is difficult’ and others:
To talk like that was very rude of you. - It was very rude of you to speak in such a tone.
It was very rude of you to talk like that. - It was rude to speak in such a tone.
Very often the infinitive can be found after a transitive verb. In this case, it expresses the complement in the sentence and is translated into Russian through the initial form:
My husband decided to take us to Paris on holiday. - My husband decided to take us to Paris on vacation.
We offer you a list of verbs after which the infinitive can act as an object.
In the role direct object the simple infinitive can also be used with question words (how, when, what, etc.) and after constructions with verb forms to be:
I'm glad to meet you. - Nice to meet you.
Don't look at me. I don't know what to do. - Don't look at me. I don't know what to do.
As a definition, a simple infinitive answers the question “which?” and comes after the word being defined in English:
I need a new house to live in. - I need new home, in which I can live (to live there).
We cannot put an infinitive after a verb. This will no longer be a definition, but an addition and the sentence will lose meaning:
The order of words is very important here, otherwise you can often get nonsense and not be understood.
Very often, as a definition, a simple infinitive comes after pronouns something, somebody, anything, anybody, nothing, nobody or after ordinal numbers:
I have nothing to wear. - I have nothing to wear.
In conclusion, we would like to add that we only told you about the simple infinitive. In our future publications we will definitely return to this phenomenon of English grammar.
We wish you success in your studies and interesting practice!
Victoria Tetkina
Which has neither face nor number. The infinitive only names the action denoted by the verb. As in Russian, in English the infinitive form of the verb answers the questions “what to do?” and “what to do?”
To think - to think.
To say - to speak.
The indefinite form of the verb comes from a verbal noun and retains the properties of this part of speech, performing the syntactic functions of a noun in a sentence.
The formal sign of an infinitive in English is the particle to preceding it, which in some cases can be omitted. The particle to has no independent meaning; it is never stressed.
Functions of the infinitive
1. Function of the subject:
2. Nominal part of the predicate:
His aim was to deceive Mark. His goal was to deceive Mark.
3. Part composite verbal predicate:
We intend to celebrate this occasion.We intend to celebrate this event.
4. Function additions:
Peter asked me to look after his son. Peter asked me to look after his son.
5. Function definitions:
There is a lot of work to be done.There is a lot of work to be done.
6. Function circumstances:
I swim everyday to be fit.I swim every day to stay fit.
Infinitive forms: table
Transitive verbs in English have four infinitive forms: active voice and two in the passive, for a total of 6 forms:
| Active | Passive | |
| Indefinite Continuous Perfect Perfect Continuous |
to accept
to be accepting to have accepted to have been accepting |
to be accepted — to have been accepted — |
Only two forms of the infinitive are translated into Russian using the appropriate forms: Indefinite Infinitive Active and Indefinite Infinitive Passive. For other forms, there are no corresponding forms in Russian, so they cannot be translated in isolation from the sentence.
Using an infinitive with a particle to(full infinitive)
As mentioned above, the indefinite form of the verb in English is used with the particle to:
To swim- swim.
To play -play.
If two infinitives appear side by side in a sentence, then the particle to before the second of them is usually omitted:
He is too young to smoke and drink. He is too young to smoke and drink.
Sometimes a particle to can be used at the end of a sentence without a verb. This happens in cases where the verb to which the particle refers has already been mentioned in the sentence. In this situation, the particle to is stressed. This use of the particle is often found in sentences with verbs to want - to want, to wish - to desire, to mean - to have in mind, to try– try, try, to allow – to allow, to be going – to gather, should (would) like – would like etc.:
She wants me to go there today, but I don’t want to. She wants me to go there today, but I don't want to.
(Implies: go).
I didn't want to stay there, but I had to. I didn't want to stay there, but I had to.
(Implies: stay).
Using an infinitive without a particle to(bare infinitive)
In some cases the infinitive is used without a particle to.
1. After modal verbs must, can (could), may (might) And need:
He must help me. He must help me.
You may come in.You can login.
2. After verbs to make - force,to let - allow, and sometimes also after to help – help:
Help me choose a gift for my sister.Help me choose a gift for my sister.
Mother makes me clean my room.Mom makes me clean my room.
Father let me go to my friend.My father allowed me to go to a friend.
3. In circulation after verbs to watch - observe,to see - see,to hear - hear,to feel - feel and some others:
I saw her write the letter.I saw her writing a letter.
Note. If the verbs listed in paragraphs. 2–3 are used in the passive voice, then the infinitive following such a verb is used with a particle to:
He was made to clean his room.He was forced to clean the room.
She was seen to write the letter.We saw her writing a letter.
4. After set expressions had better– it would be better, would rather, would sooner – would prefer would:
You had better go home.You'd better go home.
I would rather stay here.I'd rather stay here.
Now you know everything about the infinitive in English. Ask questions in the comments.
The infinitive, or indefinite form of the verb, refers to the non-finite forms of the verb and combines the properties of the verb and the noun. The infinitive answers the questions “what to do?”, “what to do?”: to read - read, to write - write, to learn - learn, to remember - remember, to promise - promise etc.
The formal sign of the infinitive is the particle to, which comes before it. In some cases the to particle is omitted.
The Indefinite Infinitive Active is the only simple form of the infinitive.
I want to play chess.
I want to play chess.
All other forms are complex, as they are formed using the auxiliary verbs to be, to have and participle.
Rules for the formation and use of the infinitive in English
1. Indefinite Infinitive Active is formed from the stem of a verb with the particle to (for example, to write) and is used to express an action that occurs simultaneously with the action expressed by the predicate verb, in the present, past and future tense or regardless of the time of its occurrence.
I am glad to hear it. I'm glad to hear that.
He wanted to play chess. He wanted to play chess.
I shall hope to see you tomorrow. I hope to see you tomorrow.
To swim is pleasant. It's nice to swim.
Indefinite Infinitive Passive is formed with the help auxiliary verb to be + 3rd form of the verb (Participle II) (for example, to be written) and is used to express an action simultaneous with the action expressed by the predicate verb.
Didn't want her article to be translated.
He wanted her article to be translated (= to have her article translated).
2. Continuous Infinitive Active is formed using the auxiliary verb to be + Participle I of the semantic verb (for example, to be writing) and is used to express a long-term action that occurs simultaneously with the action expressed by the predicate verb. This form is often used after verbs to seem, to appear - seem and after auxiliary verbs.
Doesn't seem to be writing much. He seems to write a lot.
Doesn't seem to be waiting for us. It seems (that) he is waiting for us.
3. Perfect Continuous Infinitive Active is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in Perfect Infinitive(to have been) + Participle I of the semantic verb (= ing form) - (for example, to have been writing) - and expresses a long-term action preceding the action expressed by the predicate verb.
He is reported to have been writing a new novel.
It is reported that he is writing a new novel. (They are reporting now, but he started writing a new novel before that, so the verb to write is used in the Perfect Continuous Infinitive Active.)
4. Perfect Infinitive Active is formed using the auxiliary verb to have + Participle II of the semantic verb (for example, to have written).
Perfect Infinitive Passive is formed using the auxiliary verb to be in the Perfect Infinitive (to have been) + Participle II of the semantic verb (for example, to have been written).
Perfect Infinitive (Active, Passive) is used:
1. To express an action preceding an action expressed by a predicate verb.
Not said to have won the Olympic Gold (medal).
He is said to have won a gold medal at the Olympic Games.
She seems to have forgotten about our request.
It seems she forgot about our request.
2. After the modal verbs should, would, ought to, could, might to express an unfulfilled moral duty or obligation.
Not should have helped her.
He should have helped her but he didn't).
You ought to have congratulated him with the defense of his thesis.
You should congratulate him on defending his dissertation.
3. After was, were to express unfulfilled plans and contracts.
The school was to have been ready by the 1st of September, but it is still only half finished.
The school was supposed to be ready by September 1, but it is still only half ready.
4. After the modal verbs must, may to express assumptions, conclusions.
Not must have read this book. He must have read this book.
She may have married. She may have gotten married.
He must have come this way. Here are his footprints.
He must have come this way. Here are his traces.
5. After verbs to hope ( hope), to expect ( expect), to want ( want), to intend ( mean) to express an action that, contrary to hope and expectation, did not take place.
She hoped to have met a good man.
She hoped to meet good man (but didn't meet).
He intended to have put up an advertisement yesterday.
He intended to make the announcement yesterday ( but didn't).
Infinitive with the particle to
1. The infinitive is usually used with the particle to: to read, to write, to work. But if in a sentence there are two infinitives next to each other, connected by the conjunction and or or, then the particle to is usually omitted before the second infinitive.
She decided to go and buy something for supper.
She decided to go and buy something for dinner.
2. The particle to is sometimes used at the end of a sentence without a verb. This is done to avoid repeating the same verb in the same sentence. This use of the particle to usually occurs after the verbs to wish - want, to want - want, to try - try, to allow - allow, to have to - be to etc.
I didn’t want to take a taxi but I had to(take one) as I was late.
I didn’t want to take a taxi, but I had to (take a taxi) because I was late.
He wished to go but he wasn’t able to.
He wanted to go, but was not able (could not go).
Did you get a ticket? -Did you get a ticket? -
No, I tried to, but there weren’t any left.
No. I tried, but there was not a single ticket left.
3. After verbs to be, to have used as modal verbs, the particle to is added.
I am to meet him here.
I must meet him here.
Not has to do it in September.
He should do this in September.
4. After the words the first, the second… the last, the only.
He loves parties: he is always the first to come and the last to leave.
He loves parties: he is always the first to arrive and the last to leave.
Infinitive without particle to
1. After auxiliary and modal verbs.
Not can play chess. He plays (can play) chess.
We shall go by foot there. We'll go there on foot.
2. After the verbs to make - force, to let - allow and sometimes after to help - help.
She made him give up smoking. She made him quit smoking.
I let him read this book. I allowed him to read (read) this book.
3. After the verbs to see - see, to hear - hear, to feel - feel, to watch - observe, to make - force and some others in the phrase “Objective case with infinitive”.
I heard her leave the house.
I heard her leave the house.
They made us work all night long.
They made us work all night.
BUT: If the verbs listed in the 2nd and 3rd paragraphs are used in the passive voice, then the infinitive that follows them is used with the particle to.
Not was made to open the door.
He was forced to open the door.
She was seen to go to the institute.
We saw her go to college.
4. After the expressions had better - it would be better, would rather, would sooner - would prefer...(would) rather.
You had better talk to the doctor.
You'd better talk to your doctor.
I would rather see him alone.
I'd rather see him alone.
Will + infinitive in English is used to express an action or state in the future tense.
Infinitive is the basic, impersonal form of the verb. Sign infinitive in English is a particle to, For example: (to) go, (to) be, (to) ask, (to) fight, (to) understand, (to) walk.
English infinitive combines the characteristics of a verb and, to some extent, a noun. The latter is expressed in the fact that the infinitive can act in a sentence as a subject, object, predicative, definition, circumstance and some others.
For example:
To learn is important.
Teaching important. ( The infinitive functions as a subject.)
The most important thing is to learn.
The most important thing is study. (The infinitive performs the function of a predicate.)
He wants to learn.
He wants study. (The infinitive functions as a complement.)
Negative forms of the infinitive are formed by adding a negative particle not to the infinitive.
For example:
I decided to invite them. – I decided not to invite them.
I solved them invite. - I solved them don't invite.
Infinitive forms in English
There are several forms of the infinitive in English, which are discussed in detail below. To better understand the difference between the listed infinitive forms, you need to have a good understanding of tenses and voice in English.
Continuous Infinitive / Progressive Infinitive
Method of education: (to) + be + present participle
Examples: (to) be writing, (to) be reading, (to) be walking, etc.
Continuous Infinitive(also called Progressive Infinitive) is used to show that actions or events will occur at the time of speech.
For example:
I happened to be waiting for the bus when the accident happened.
It so happened that I waited bus when the accident occurred.
You must be joking.
You probably you're kidding.
Perfect Infinitive
Method of education: (to) have + past participle
Examples: (to) have received, (to) have broken, (to) have seen, etc.
Perfect Infinitive can be used in the same situations in which the past tense or perfect tenses are used (see verb tenses).
For example:
I am happy to have left school. (= I am happy that I have left school.)
I'm glad that graduated school.
You seem to have announced him. (= It seems that you have annoyed him.)
It seems you are him annoyed.
It's nice to have finished work. (= It is nice that I have finished work.)
Nice finish work.
Perfect Infinitive often used to describe impossible actions in the past tense.
For example:
If you had run a bit faster, you would have won.
If you ran a little faster, you would won.
You should have told me you were coming.
I needed it say that you will come.
Passive Infinitive
Method of education: (to) be + past participle
Examples: (to) be given, (to) be seen, (to) be loved, etc.
Passive Infinitive passive voice).
For example:
Everybody wants to be loved.
Everybody wants them loved.
There is a lot of work to be done.
Need to execute a lot of work.
She ought to be told about it.
She should talk about it say.
Perfect Passive Infinitive
Method of education: (to) + have been + past participle
Perfect Passive Infinitive has the same meaning as regular verbs in Passive Voice (see passive voice).
For example:
They were lucky – they could have been killed.
They were lucky - they could have been kill.
Perfect Continuous Infinitive / Perfect Progressive Infinitive
Method of education: (to) have been + present participle
Examples: (to) have been crying, (to) have been wanting, etc.
Perfect Continuous Infinitive(also called Perfect Progressive Infinitive) is used in Perfect Continuous tenses (see verb tenses).
For example:
We have been waiting for ages.
We we are waiting for ages now.
How long have you been living here?
How long have you been here? live?
Using the infinitive without the particle to
Usually infinitive in English used with particle to. But in some cases the infinitive is used without a particle to. Such cases are discussed below.
1. After modal verbs:
We can manage it.
We can handle this.
We must get someone to paint the roof.
We need to get someone to paint our roof.
You may go now.
You can go.
2. After modal constructions (would rather, had better):
You had better consult a doctor.
You better go see a doctor.
I would rather go alone.
I'd rather go alone.
3. After the verb do, used as an intensifying verb:
I do admit that I was wrong.
Yes, I admit that I was wrong.
But you did say that!
But you said it!
4. With a verb let in the meaning of “allow” or incentive sentences:
Let's him go.
Let him go.
Let's me help you with the translation.
Let me help you with the translation.
5. In combination with verbs of perception to see, to hear, to watch etc., if they are not in the passive voice:
I saw her light the lamp.
I saw her light the lamp.
We heard her sing a song.
We heard her sing a song.
We watched them play.
We watched them play.
6. After the verb make meaning “to force”, if it is not in the passive voice:
They made me wait.
They kept me waiting.
He made me come.
He made me come.
7. After the verb help it is allowed to omit the particle to:
She helped the child (to)lift the box.
She helped the child lift the box.
If in cases 5-7 the passive voice is used, then the particle to required:
She was heard to sing a song.
They heard her sing a song.
She was made to pay back the money.
She was forced to pay money.
He was helped to lift the box.
They helped him lift the box.
8. After alliances and, or, except, but, than, as And like in the case when they are used to connect two infinitives:
It is as easy to smile as frown.
Smiling is as easy as frowning.
Do you want to have lunch now or wait till later?
Do you want to have lunch now, or wait?
We had nothing to do except look at the cinema posters.
We had nothing to do but look at movie posters.
9. After why And why not in the question:
Why pay more at other shops? We have the lowest prices.
Why pay more at other stores? We have the lowest prices.
Why not make it up with him?
Why not apologize to him?
The infinitive and its use are discussed in more detail in the section
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In English infinitive(Infinitive) is a word that denotes an action, but does not indicate a person or number. In Russian, the English infinitive corresponds to the infinitive form of the verb, which answers the questions “what to do? what to do?": to live - to live.
The formal sign of the infinitive is the particle to:
to write- write, to read- read, to drink- drink, to think- think.
If there is a particle before the verb to, then before you is an infinitive (or an indefinite form of a verb). Sometimes the infinitive can be used without a particle to.
The negative form is formed using a particle not, which comes before the infinitive: not to use - do not use.
It is difficult to use
.- Difficult use.
It is difficult not to use
.- Difficult do not use.
Infinitive forms
In English, the infinitive has 6 forms (unlike Russian, which has only one form). To understand well the meanings of the infinitive forms, you need to have an understanding of the verb.
Simple infinitive. Indefinite Infinitive
Infinitive in the form Indefinite (Simple) or simple infinitive is the basic form and represents the verb in the dictionary (for convenience, the particle in the dictionary to often omitted). This form of the infinitive is in the same tense as the verb that precedes it.
I was glad to see her. — I was glad to see her (simple infinitive in the active voice).
The child didn't like to be washed. — The child did not like being washed (simple infinitive in passive voice).
Compare the use of the simple infinitive in the active and passive voice: to help - to be helped
I am glad to help you. - Glad to help. (I'm glad I'm helping).
I am glad to be helped. - I'm glad they're helping me.
Perfect infinitive. Perfect Infinitive
Infinitive in the form Perfect or perfect infinitive denotes an action that precedes the action of the predicate verb.
I was very glad to have met you. - I am very glad that I met you (perfect infinitive in the active voice).
Sorry not to have noticed you. - Sorry that I didn’t notice you (perfect infinitive in the active voice).
The child was happy to have been brought to the circus. — The child was happy that he was brought to the circus (perfect infinitive in the passive voice).
Compare the use of the Simple Infinitive and the Perfect Infinitive in the active voice: to see - to have seen
I am glad to see you. - Glad to see you. (Glad to see you.)
I am glad to have seen you. - Glad I saw you.
Long infinitive. Continuous Infinitive
Infinitive in the form Continuous or long infinitive emphasizes the duration of an action occurring simultaneously with the action of the predicate verb. This form is used only in the active voice.
He doesn't seem to be writing something. — It seems he is writing something now (long infinitive in the active voice).
Perfectly continuous infinitive. Perfect Continuous Infinitive
Infinitive in the form Perfect Continuous or perfect continuous infinitive emphasizes that the action began earlier than the action of the predicate verb, lasted for a period of time and is still lasting. This form is also not used in the passive voice.
He didn't seem to have been writing all day. “It seemed like he was writing all day.”
Infinitive forms in the table
| Meaning different forms infinitive in table | ||
| Infinitive forms | What am I happy about? | |
| Simple | I am glad to speak to you. | Glad to talk to you. (I always rejoice when I talk to you). |
| Continuous | I am glad to be speaking to you. | I'm glad I'm talking to you now. |
| Perfect | I am glad to have spoken to you. | Glad I talked to you. |
| Perfect Continuous | I am glad to have been speaking to you. | I’m glad that I’ve been talking to you for a long time (all this time). |
| Simple Passive | I am (always) glad to be told the news. | I'm always glad when people tell me news. |
| Perfect Passive | I am glad to have been told the news. | Glad you told me the news. |
Using the infinitive without the particle to
Most often the infinitive in English is used with the particle to, but there are cases when the particle to not used before an infinitive.
The infinitive is used without particle to in the following cases:
- After can, could, must, may, might, will, shall, should, would And need (in the modal sense). Exceptions are modal verbs have to, ought to, be to.
- IN complex addition after sensory verbs feel(feel), hear(hear), see(see), watch(observe), notice(notice):
I saw him leave the office. — I saw him leave the office.
But: if the listed verbs feel, see, hear, watch, notice are used in the passive voice, then the particle precedes the infinitive to:
I heard him go down the stairs. “I heard him come down the stairs.He was seen to leave the office. — We saw him leave the office.
- In a complex object after verbs make(meaning “to force, compel”) And let(meaning “to allow, allow”). Again, if these verbs are in the passive voice, then the infinitive is used with the particle to.
I can't make you take this medicine. “I can’t force you to take this medicine.”
We let her go to the party. — We allowed her to go to the party.
She was made to rewrite the test. — She was forced to rewrite the test (was made - passive verb). - After the verb help(help) the infinitive can also be used with a particle to, and without it. Both options are acceptable, with the option without to less formal.
