What Are Infinitives and How Do You Use Them? Infinitives are verb forms that act as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs in a sentence. They are one of the most basic elements of English grammar and can be used in many different ways. In this article, we will discuss what infinitives are, how they are used in English grammar, and provide some examples of their usage.
Definition of Infinitives
An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by the word “to.” It typically acts as a noun or adjective but can also function as an adverb. For example, “To swim” is an infinitive that functions as a noun because it is being used as the subject of the sentence. “To happily swim” is an infinitive that functions as an adjective, modifying the verb “swim.”
Uses of Infinitives
- Infinitives can be used to express purpose and meaning.
For example, “She came to swim” implies that her purpose in coming was to swim, while “He came swimming” indicates that he arrived already in the act of swimming.
- Infinitives are also often used with verbs of perception such as see, hear, watch, and feel. In this case, they indicate what it is that the subject perceives or experiences. For example,”I saw him enter the room” uses an infinitive (“to enter”) to express what it is that I saw him do.
- Infinitive phrases can also be used to add emphasis. For example, “He is determined to succeed” emphasizes his determination by using the infinitive phrase “to succeed.”
More Examples:
- She wanted to find a job. (infinitive used as a noun)
- I was excited to see them. (infinitive used as an adjective)
- He quickly ran to catch the bus. (infinitive used as an adverb)
- She watched him leave the room. (infinitive used with a verb of perception)
- He is determined to succeed. (infinitive phrase used for emphasis)
Usage and Functions of Infinitives
The infinitive is an important part of learning how to use the English language correctly. It is composed of “to” followed by a verb, and is used as a noun, adjective, or adverb.
For example, “I want to learn” is an infinitive used as a noun because it functions as the direct object; if we changed it to “I want learning,” it could be used as an adjective because it modifies “I”.
Infinitives can also be used with auxiliary verbs like – have, do, and be – to create commands or questions. Students of English need to understand how to use the infinitive form so that they can communicate effectively in their writing and speaking.
A. Use as a Noun or Adjective
Infinitives are a grammatical form with many versatile functions. One use for infinitives is as a noun or adjective. As a noun, an infinitive can act like the subject of the sentence or the object of the sentence.
For example: To carry the heavy load was exhausting; in this sentence “to carry” is the infinitive used in place of a noun. Infinitives can also stand alone as their own abstract concept and be used to modify other words and phrases, such as when it appears as part of an idiom, like “with flying colors.”
When narrowed down to just its base form, an infinitive can function as an adjective too. This includes cases where it takes a direct object after itself so that it modifies another word in the same phrase. For example: She had the ability to read quickly; here “to read” acts as an adjective modifying quickly. Ultimately, regardless of its usage, infinitives are one of many tools available for expressing clarity and precise meaning within complex sentences.
B. Use with Modal Verbs
Infinitives can be a great way to add more variety to your use of language when combined with modal verbs. Modal verbs, such as can, must, may, and will, are used to express ideas about possibility, necessity, and probability. When used in combination with an infinitive verb following it, the modal verb takes on a different meaning than if it were used alone.
For example – “Can try” conveys that you have the ability or permission to attempt something without a guarantee of success, whereas saying “I will try” expresses a greater commitment to do the activity and an increased level of likelihood of success. As you can see, infinitives and modal verbs have their own unique functions when combined.
By understanding the nuances behind this construction in English grammar, you become better equipped to communicate effectively with others.
C. Use as Part of the Verb Phrase
Infinitives are a type of verbal that can be used to express the purpose, result or condition in a phrase by taking the role of an adjective, adverb, or noun. In some cases, they may appear as part of the verb phrase itself.
For example, “She decided to go to the store” uses the infinitive “to go” within “decided to go”. This phrase expresses intention more explicitly than just saying that she decided. Similarly, “He wanted to run fast” uses the same structure with “run” being the infinitive verb. Additionally, infinitives are credible ways of expressing differences in mood and desires.
An example of this comes from the possibilities explored in “She wanted to try” versus “she tried” – with “wanted” expressing her desire for something and “tried” typically suggesting an action taken after failure. Taken together, these examples demonstrate how versatile and valuable infinitives can be when used as part of verb phrases.
D. Use with Adverbs
The usage of infinitives with adverbs can become quite complicated at times. Most adverbs, however, retain their normal meaning when used with an infinitive and do not cause any confusion in sentence structure.
For example, the adverb “slowly” with the infinitive “to walk” conveys the same message as when it is used with other verb types; that the person is walking slowly.
On the other hand, some combinations of adverbs and infinitives are more nuanced and need to be given special consideration. Especially if there is an additional modifier involved or if an idiom is being utilized. To avoid misunderstanding, English learners need to study both proper grammar structures as well as common usage examples. Each context and usage of past-tense conjugations calls for a nuanced reading of language to ensure clarity of thought.
Types of Infinitives
The usage of infinitives with adverbs can become quite complicated at times. Most adverbs, however, retain their normal meaning when used with an infinitive and do not cause any confusion in sentence structure. For example, the adverb “slowly” with the infinitive “to walk” conveys the same message as when it is used with other verb types; that the person is walking slowly.
On the other hand, some combinations of adverbs and infinitives are more nuanced and need to be given special consideration. Especially if there is an additional modifier involved or if an idiom is being utilized.
A. Perfect infinitive
Perfect infinitives are a type of grammatical structure that indicate an event or action occurred before the main action of a sentence. Perfect infinitives usually start with the verb “to have” followed by a past participle. For instance, “to have seen” is an example of a perfect infinitive.
Perfect infinitives are formed with two verbs, one conjugated and one in its non-conjugated form.
The non-conjugated verb is always in the same form regardless of tense or number — this is how you can identify it as an infinitive rather than a finite verb! Perfect infinitives express ideas such as intention, expectation, ability, permission and obligation among other things, so understanding them is key for constructing well-formed sentences in English.
B. Continuous infinitive
Continuous infinitives are an important component of English grammar. They’re created by combining the coming together of two or more verbs. It looks like a single verb, but it’s actually a combination of several verbs that create a single expression. The continuous infinitive can be used as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs to change the meaning of sentences.
Often people feel confused when they first encounter continuous infinitives, yet after a few practice sentences they begin to get the hang of them. It takes some time and dedication to master this grammatical element but it’s certainly worth the effort!
C. Passive infinitive
Passive infinitives are a key part of the English language that can make all the difference in conveying when something is happening and to whom. A passive infinitive structure consists of an auxiliary verb followed by the infinitive form of a verb; this structure typically expresses receiving or being acted upon. For example, if you were going to say, “He should attend school today”; it would be expressed in passive infinitive form as, “School should be attended by him today.”
Both sentences have equivalent meanings, but the passive infinitive places less emphasis on who’s experiencing the action and more on what certain actions are necessary. Whether you’re trying to rewrite a sentence for an essay or simply mastering different forms of speech for daily conversations, familiarizing yourself with passive infinitives is essential!
Rules for Using Infinitives in English Grammar
Learning about infinitives can help you understand a whole range of different grammatical constructions, so it’s important to know the basics. Infinitives generally come after “to” and act as nouns, adjectives or adverbs depending on their context. They can also be split with other words or phrases in their verb construction to add detail.
When using infinitives in your writing, remember to only use one form of each verb; for example, don’t use both ‘fall’ and ‘fell’! While there may be occasions where splitting an infinitive is useful for clarity, it should generally be avoided unless you are quoting someone. There are some exceptions where combining an infinitive with another word is effective; for instance if you’re creating a new word like “outgo”.
However this should not be done too liberally as the resulting phrases can confuse readers. By adhering to these basic rules when using infinitives, you will help make sure that your sentences remain clear and persuasive.
Adjective Clauses and Infinitives
Adjective Clauses and Infinitives can be great tools to add extra layers of meaning and detail in our sentences. An adjective clause is a type of subordinate clause that functions as an adjective by adding additional information to a noun or pronoun. For example, “the car which I bought last week” has an adjective clause describing the car.
Infinitives, on the other hand, are verbal forms that act like adjectives but also have a potential verb in them. For instance, “to drive quickly” is an infinitive expressing how a driver might want to use the car. Knowing when to use adjective clauses and infinitives can go a long way towards helping you write eloquently and effectively!
Infinitive of Purpose
The infinitive of purpose is a useful tool for adding clarity to your writing and speaking. Using it helps to make the intention of a sentence or phrase more precise, and can even eliminate the need for extra words or phrases. It’s helpful if you want to express why you are doing something, or the point of what you’re discussing. For example, “I went to the store to buy flour” implies that there’s an intended purpose here: buying flour.
By using the infinitive of purpose – “I went to the store to buy flour” – it becomes clear why I’m going. This kind of structure can also be combined with other grammar forms as well, like participles and gerunds, depending on how specific you want your statement to be. Ultimately, this simple form is an effective tool that can really increase the clarity and readability of your writing!
Gerunds vs. Infinitives
Gerunds and infinitives are both verb forms that are used in English grammar, but they often trip us up because they share so many similarities. The difference between gerunds vs. infinitives lies in how they are used in a sentence. Gerunds use -ing at the end of a verb and appear as subjects or objects within sentences, while infinitives rely on “to” before a verb.
For example, “speaking” is a gerund, while “to speak” is an infinitive. While this may seem like a small difference, it can make all the difference for those who are striving to become more fluent English speakers!
Split Infinitive
Understanding split infinitives can be a bit of a challenge. To put it simply, they occur when an adverb is inserted between the “to” and the verb in an infinitive. For example, “to boldly go” is an example of a split infinitive. Language experts have long debated the acceptability of split infinitives; while some argue that good writing avoids them, others make valid arguments for when they are acceptable or even more effective than non-split alternatives.
Ultimately, it’s worth knowing the rules and being aware of both sides of the discussion so you can make an informed decision on your writing style though there will likely always be disagreement about it.
Conclusion
Infinitives are verb forms that use “to” before the verb and can function like adjectives or adverbs. Adjective clauses and infinitives are great tools for adding layers of meaning to your sentences while using an infinitive of purpose is a powerful way to make your intentions clear. Additionally, understanding the difference between gerunds vs. infinitives and split infinitives will help you become a more proficient English speaker. By following these tips and keeping in mind proper grammar usage rules, you can make sure that your sentences remain clear and persuasive!
FAQs
Infinitives are a type of verb form typically found in English grammar. They are always preceded by the particle “to” and generally function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
What is an Infinitive?
An infinitive is a verbal that functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb and is usually preceded by the particle “to”. For example: to go, to run, to read.
How do I use an Infinitive?
Infinitives can be used in several ways in English grammar. They can act as the What is an example of an Infinitive as a subject?
An example of an infinitive used as a subject would be “To err is human.” In this sentence, the infinitive phrase “to err” serves as the subject. An example of an infinitive following a verb would be “I decided to go.” In this sentence, the verb “decided” is followed by the infinitive phrase “to go.” An example of an infinitive modifying an adjective would be “It was easy to understand.” In this sentence, the infinitive phrase “to understand” modifies the adjective “easy.” An example of an infinitive being used as an adverb would be “He ran quickly to catch up.” In this sentence, the infinitive phrase “to catch up” is used as an adverb to modify the verb “ran.” As you can see, there are many ways in which English grammar uses infinitives. Understanding how to use them correctly will help you in writing and speaking English. With practice, you’ll be able to use infinitives with ease!What is an example of an Infinitive following a verb?
What is an example of an Infinitive modifying an adjective?
What is an example of an Infinitive being used as an adverb?
