L3 English
L3 English
L3 English
Lesson 3: to infinitive
A We often use one verb after another verb. Often, when a verb follows another, it can take the to-infinitive
form.
The to-infinitive does not change with the person and number of the subject.
We hope to see you again soon.
She hopes to see you again soon.
It is not affected by the tense of the verb either.
He’s offered to help.
I have no doubt he’ll offer to help.
He offered to help when I told him we were busy.
He’s offering to help.
Some common verbs that may be followed by a to-infinitive include:
Some of the verbs listed above can be used in the structure: verb + object + to-infinitive.
She would like to draw a picture.
(verb + to-infinitive)
She would like me to draw a picture.
(verb + object + to-infinitive)
There are other verbs that can be used in this structure. Some common ones include:
After some verbs we can use a question word (what, how, where, when, who, etc.) before the to-
infinitive.
Note:
1 The to-infinitive form of the verbs am, are, is, was and were is to be.
He seems to be busy today.
Compare: He is busy today.
1. Do you mind _______________ to me during break? I’m very busy right now.
□ to speak □ speaking
2. Stop _______________ me.
□ to bother □ bothering
3. Don’t _______________ drugs. They can ruin your life.
□ taking □ take
4. The runners are busy _______________ warm-up exercises.
□ doing □ to do
5. You should practise more if you want _______________ a singer.
□ to be □ being
6. The man said that he didn’t mean _______________ anyone.
□ hurting □ to hurt
7. What can we do _______________ poor people?
□ to help □ helping
8. Andy is Thai. He is very fond of _______________ spicy food.
□ to eat □ eating
9. Thomas regrets _______________ harder for the test.
□ studying not □ not studying
10. ‘Do you recommend _______________ to Disneyland?’ the tourist asked.
□ to go □ going
Exercise 2
Complete the sentences below using the correct form of the verbs in the box. (10 marks)
1. The Smiths are very rich. They can afford ____________________ overseas once a month.
3. Mr Chan has agreed ____________________ the teacher who advises our club.
4. Mary offered ____________________ us all to dinner because she has just been promoted.
5. I have decided ____________________ him the truth: I have forgotten his name.
Exercise 3
Use ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘when’, ‘where’, ‘how’, ‘which one’, ‘whether’, etc. and the verbs provided to complete
the following sentences. Use each verb once only. The first one has been done for you as an example. (10
marks)
choose accept say wear visit
do believe go use get
Exercise 4
Complete the sentences by using the words in brackets. The first one has been done for you as an example.
(10 marks)
e.g. The can is easy to open.
(can / easy / open)
2. ________________________________________________________________
(match / exciting / watch)
3. ________________________________________________________________
(doctor’s handwriting / impossible / read)
4. ________________________________________________________________
(water from the old well / not / safe / drink)
5. ________________________________________________________________
(weather / too / bad / go / for a picnic)
6. ________________________________________________________________
(his poems / difficult / understand)
Answers
Exercise 1 Exercise 3
1. speaking 2. whether to accept
2. bothering 3. how to use
3. take 4. what to say
4. doing 5. what to wear
5. to be 6. which one to believe
6. to hurt 7. how/where to get
7. to help 8. which one to choose
8. eating 9. when to visit
9. not studying 10. where to go
10. going
Exercise 4
Exercise 2 2. The match is exciting to watch.
1. to travel 3. The doctor’s handwriting is impossible to read.
2. to come 4. The water from the old well is not safe to
3. to be drink.
4. to treat 5. The weather is too bad to go for a picnic.
5. to tell 6. His poems are difficult to understand.