to-infinitives

Also known as the infinitive form of a verb, is the base form of the verb preceded by the word "to."
In English, the infinitive is used in various ways, including as
➧ the base form of the verb in a sentence
➧ after certain verbs
➧ as the subject or object of a sentence
➧ or in infinitive phrases.


Verbs with to-infinitives

Verbs followed by to-infinitive, particularly verbs of thinking and feeling

Choose
Decide
Expect
Forget
Hate
Hope
Learn
Intend
Like
Love
Mean
Plan
Want
Prefer
Remember
Would like | love

➧ They decided to start a business together.
➧ Remember to turn the lights off.


and verbs of saying

agree
promise
refuse
threaten

➧ We agreed to meet at the cinema.
➧ Promise to call me every day.


Some verbs are followed by a direct object and then the to-infinitive

ask
expect
advice
encourage
order
invite
intend
persuade
tell
want
warn
remind
would prefer
would like
would love
-

➧ He encouraged his friends to vote for him.
➧ Remind me to give Julia a call.


Infinitive of purpose

We also use the to-infinitive to express purpose to answer why?

➧ He bought some flowers to give to his wife.
➧ He locked the door to keep everyone out.


We can also express purpose with in order to and in order not to

➧ We started our journey early in order to avoid the traffic.
➧ They spoke quietly in order not to wake the children.


Or so as to and so as not to

➧ We started our journey early so as to avoid the traffic.
➧ They spoke quietly so as not to wake the children.


We use the to-infinitive after certain adjectives

able
unable
anxious
due
keen
eager
likely
ready
unlikely
willing
unwilling
prepared

➧ Unfortunately, I was unable to work for over a week.
➧ I'm really tired. I'm ready to go to bed.


Sometimes the to-infinitive gives a reason for the adjective

amazed
delighted
disappointed
glad
happy
pleased
sad
proud
relieved
sorry
unhappy
surprised


➧ We were happy to come to the end of our journey.
➧ We were happy because we had come to the end of our journey.

➧ John was surprised to see me.
➧ He was surprised because he saw me.


We often use it + be followed by an adjective to give opinions

easy
clever
difficult
silly
right
wrong
kind
hard
foolish
nice
possible
impossible


➧ It's easy to play the piano, but it's very difficult to play well.
➧ He spoke so quickly that it was impossible to understand him.


We use the to-infinitive with these adjectives to give opinions about people

clever
foolish
kind
nice
right
wrong
silly
-


➧ She was right to complain about that hotel.
➧ You were clever to find the answer so quickly.


We use the preposition for to show who these adjectives refer to

difficult
easy
hard
possible
impossible


➧ It was difficult for us to hear what she was saying.
➧ It is easy for you to criticise other people.


With the other adjectives, we use the preposition of

➧ It's kind of you to help.
➧ It would be silly of him to spend all his money.


Nouns with to-infinitives

We use the to-infinitive as a postmodifier (see noun phrases) after abstract nouns like

ability
attempt
chance
need
desire
failure
wish
refusal
opportunity


➧ They gave him an opportunity to escape.
➧ He was annoyed by her refusal to answer.
➧ I have no desire to be rich.
➧ There is no need to shout.


We often use the to-infinitive as a postmodifier after indefinite pronouns

➧ When I am travelling I always take something to read.
➧ There is hardly anything to do in most of these small towns.
➧ I was all alone. I had no one to talk to.
More Lessons ➧ Here


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