Grammar spot the infinitive

The Infinitive is a non-finite verb form which names a process or an action. The Infinitive is the base form of the verb. We use it with particle to or without to.

1. We usually use infinitives (to + verb) and negative infinitives (not to + verb) with to (full infinitive):

○ after verbs

• We agreed to meet on Friday.

○ with equivalents of

modal verbs: be able

to, be allowed to, be

permitted to, be to,

have to, ought to

• We aren’t allowed to park here.

• They are to arrive at p.m.

• You have to fill in a form.

• Children ought to help their old parents.

○ with be going to,

be about to, used to

• We are going to buy a notebook.

• The game is about to start.

• There used to be a gas station here.

○ with verb + object

• They expect us to arrive at seven.

○ after for + object

• We’ve arranged for you to visit our head office.

○ with nouns

• You made a promise not to tell anyone.

○ after indefinite pronouns

• I’m looking for someone to help me.

○ with adjectives

• Are you ready to go now?

• I’m happy to be here.

○ after question words

• Do you know where to go?

• I wasn’t sure about what to do and what not to do here.

2. We usually use infinitives and negative infinitives without to (bare infinitives i.e. base form of the verb) after:

○ modal verbs:

can, could, may,

might, must, needn’t,

shall, should, will,

would

• I can’t stay long.

• We could go to a night club.

• I must speak to the manager.

• Sarah will be away for three days.

• It might rain later.

○ perception verbs such

as hear + object and

see + object

• I didn’t hear Tom come in.

• I’ve never seen anyone eat as much as our friend can.

○ had better and

would rather

• I’d better do it tonight, although I’d rather go out.

• It’s late. You’d better wear a coat.

• I’d rather listen to Elvis than the Beatles.

○ the verbs let + object

and make + object

• Please make her stop.

• They won’t let us leave.

3. After the verb help, we can use an infinitive with or without to.

• Anny helped me (to) clean up.

4. We usually leave out the second to when we join two infinitives with and or with or.

• Brian just wants to sit and ___ watch videos all day.

• Do they intend to buy a flat or ___ rent one?

5. We can use to or not to alone instead of repeating a verb or clause. But we don’t leave out the verb be.

• Would you like to play? – I’d love to.___

• I was hoping to go with you, but I decided not to. ___

• Was Michael happy? – He seemed to be. (Not: He seemed to.)

6. We can also use infinitives to express purpose (= in order to).

• He only did it to get attention. (= He only did it in order to get attention.)

7. We can use infinitives in clauses with objects, prepositional phrases and adverbs. We don’t usually put adverbs between to and the verb (a split infinitive) unless it is for emphasis.

• I want to (really) understand Islam.

Used to do

Be / Get used to doing

Used to + Infinitive means that something happened regularly or went on for a time in the past.

Be / Get used to + ing form means that something is familiar and is no longer strange.

• I used to travel. (Means that in the past I regularly travelled, but I no longer do so.)

• We used to play that game when we were younger.

• I used to like fish but I never eat it now.

• There used to be a dancehall here, but they knocked it down.

• I’m used to travelling. (Means that travelling is no longer strange or difficult because I have done it for so long.)

• We’re used to getting up early. We do it every day.

• Sarah is used to working late at the office.

• Most visitors in Britain are used to driving on the left.

We usually use didn’t use to in negatives and did ... use to in questions.

We can also say get used to talk about things becoming more familiar.

• We didn’t use to have computers. OR

• We never used to have computers.

• Where did people use to buy their food before the supermarket was build?

• Did you use to live in New York?

• It was difficult at first, but Mike soon got used to working at night.

• After her husband died, the old woman had to get used to living on her own.