What is an infinitive in English, its functions, forms and basic rules of use

According to the norms of modern grammar, the English infinitive is one of the three basic non-personal forms of the verb along with the participle and gerund. However, historical evidence suggests that in the Old English period the infinitive had a declining form, which presumably speaks of its origin from the noun. So how do you know what an infinitive really is? In general, it can be compared with the indefinite form of the verb in the Russian language, since similarly to it, the English infinitive simultaneously possesses the properties of both the verb and the noun. However, in doing so, it has a number of specific qualities that significantly complicate the life of people who are just beginning to learn English. To understand what an infinitive is and what it is "eaten", let's consider its basic functions, forms and the most frequent examples of use.

Functions of the infinitive

Depending on the role in the sentence, the infinitive can act as:

1. Noun:

To collect all this information for 2 hours would be completely impossible! - Collecting all the information in 2 hours is absolutely impossible!

2. Parts of the compound nominal predicate:

To love is to believe. "To love means to believe."

3. Additions:

Pamela quietly began to open the box. Pamela began to open the box quietly.

4. Definitions (usually after a noun):

She brought new movies to watch. - She brought new films that you can see.

5. Parts of the compound verb predicate :

The wind stopped blowing. The wind stopped blowing.

6. Introductory Phrases:

To put it bluntly, he was frightened to death. "Honestly, he was scared to hell."

7. Circumstances:

A) objectives: He came to my office in order to sign a contract. "He came to my office to sign a contract."

B) consequences: The offer was too favorable to decline. "The offer was too tempting to give it up."

C ) the mode of action: He opened his month as if to speak. He opened his mouth as if about to say something.

D) Concomitant circumstance: He left his home never to return. "He left his house, never to return."

Expression of time and form of the infinitive

English infinitive has a category of type and pledge. The first concept means that, depending on the context, the action expressed by the infinitive can be simultaneous or preceding with respect to the action of the predicate in the sentence. The second says that the infinitive has forms in both active and passive voice.

What is the infinitive c to

The particle to is a grammatical attribute of the infinitive, although in itself it does not bear any semantic meaning. The infinitive with to in English is always used after:

1. Words the last / first / next:

He is the next to get his passport in our family. "He's the next person to get a passport in our family."

2. Adjectives expressing any relation:

We are more than happy to spend this weekend with you. "It will be our great pleasure to spend this weekend with you."

3. Interrogative words:

Can you explain one more time how to fix it? "Can you explain again how to fix this?"

4. Verb + noun constructions / places:

I helped my dad to clean the car. "I helped Dad to wash the car."

5. For + noun constructions / places:

She waited for the cab to come. She waited for the taxi to arrive.

6. Verbs agree, ask, decide, help, plan, hope, learn, want, like, promise, refuse, claim, decide and others:

She refused to date her boss. "She refused to meet her boss."

It should be remembered that with some verbs from this list one can use both the gerund and the infinitive. It all depends on what meaning of the word you want to convey.

"Naked" infinitive

What is an infinitive with a particle to, and also variants of its use - we have considered. Now let's pay attention to the main cases when it can be used without it. So, in English, the "bare" infinitive goes after:

1. Modal verbs shall, can, will, may, must, must, must, should, might, should,

I shall bake a cake for his birthday. "I should bake a cake for his birthday."

2. Phrases would rather / sooner, had better, why not, why should (not):

I would rather read a book than watch this film. "I'd rather read a book than watch this movie."

3. Verbs of sensual or intellectual perception feel, hear, notice, see, watch + supplement:

I heard Peter sing a song. - I heard Peter sing.

4. Verbs let / make + addition:

Mother let her daughter decide on her own. "Mother allows her daughter to make her own decisions."

Of course, this is far from all the language nuances associated with the use of the English infinitive. However, if you understand the basics, then learning a foreign language will go much easier.