Infinitives Exercise
Infinitives Exercise
Infinitives Exercise
Definition: Infinitive is the base form of the verb. The infinitive form of a verb is the form which follows "to". For example: *(to) go, (to) be, (to) ask, (to) fight, (to) understand, (to) walk .
Infinitives may occur with or without the infinitive marker "to". Infinitives without "to" are known as "bare infinitives". For example: *Help me open the door.
OTHER FORMS The infinitive can have the following forms: 1. The perfect infinitive to have + past participle For example: to have broken, to have seen, to have saved. This form is most commonly found in Type 3 conditional sentences, using the conditional perfect. For example: * If I had known you were coming I would have baked a cake. * Someone must have broken the window and climbed in. * I would like to have seen the Taj Mahal when I was in India. * He pretended to have seen the film. * If I'd seen the ball I would have caught it.
2. The continuous infinitive to be + present participle For example: to be swimming, to be joking, to be waiting . Examples: * I'd really like to be swimming in a nice cool pool right now. * You must be joking! * I happened to be waiting for the bus when the accident happened.
3. The perfect continuous infinitive to have been + present participle For examples: to have been crying, to have been waiting, to have been painting Examples: * The woman seemed to have been crying. * You must have been waiting for hours! * He pretended to have been painting all day.
4. The passive infinitive to be + past participle For example: to be given, to be shut, to be opened Examples: * I am expecting to be given a pay-rise next month. * These doors should be shut. * This window ought to be opened.
NOTE: As with the present infinitive, there are situations where the "to" is omitted.
Examples
* He claimed to be an expert. * I managed to reach the top of the hill. * Don't pretend that you know the answer. * She failed to explain the problem clearly. * The customs man demanded to search our luggage. * I can't afford to go out tonight.
THE USING OF INFINITIVE 1. As the subject of a clause Example: To follow his advice seemed logical. * be * seem * appear 2. After certain expressions (without to ) Example: I would rather stay at home. * had better * would rather * would sooner * why not * why should I/you/ [not]
3. After certain verbs (without to ) Example: We must stay at home. * can * dare (also with to) * do * help (also with to) * let * may * must * need (also with to) * shall * should; *will
4. After certain verbs (with to ) Example: He refused to pay the bill. * afford * agree * aim * appear * arrange * attempt * determined * beg * care * choose * claim * condescend * consent * dare (also be * expect * fail * guarantee * happen * have * help (also * proceed * promise * refuse * resolve * seem * stop * swear * tend * threaten * trouble * undertake * used * volunteer (also * vow * want * wish * would hate * would like * would love * would prefer
Example: We didn't remember where to meet. * ask * Object * consider * decide * explain advise + * find out * forget * know * learn * remember * see * show * teach * tell + object * understand * wonder
6. After certain verbs with objects (without to ) Example: We heard him scream. * let * make
7. After certain verbs with objects (with to ) Example: She got me to wash the dishes.
* advise * allow * ask * beg * cause * enable * encourage * expect * forbid * force * get
* help * invite * mean * order * permit * persuade * recommend * remind * teach * tell * want
Example: It was impossible to go back. * amazed * amazing * angry * astonished * astonishing * awkward * brave * careless * clever * cowardly * crazy * delighted * difficult * disappointed * disgusted * easy * extraordinary * funny * generous * glad * happy * hard * honest * horrified * impossible * kind * nice * odd * pointless * relieved * ridiculous * rude * sad * selfish * silly * sorry * strange * stupid * surprised * wicked * wise
9. After nouns deriving from the verbs mentioned above Example: There was no need to get angry.
Infinitives Exercise
Join the following pairs of sentences by using infinitives. 1. She wants to pass the exam. She works hard for that reason.
Correct the following sentences 1. Did he dare insult you like that?
Did he dare to insult you like that? (Here dare is used as a principal verb. Therefore, it
should be followed by a to-infinitive.)
We shall try to help raise funds for the club. (Help should be followed by a bare infinitive.)
Better wait until you hear from him. (Better should be followed by a bare infinitive.)
Infinitive with / without to Choose the correct form (infinitive with or without to). 1. I can 2. We have 3. You must 4. I will English. (speak, to speak) our homework. (to do, do) at home. (stay, to stay)
5. He cannot
6. My little sister learns 7. They want 8. You should 9. I'd like 10. May we
SOURCES
http://www.englishlanguageguide.com/english/grammar/infinitive.asp http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/infinitive-gerund