The Infinitive has tense and voice distinctions.
Forms and Functions
| Active | Passive | |
| Simple | to write | to be written |
| Continuous | to be writing | |
| Perfect | to have written | to have been written |
| Perfect Continuous | to have been writing |
1. Simple Infinitives (Active and Passive) express an action happening at exactly the same time as the action expressed by the main verb.
I want to have a bath.
I asked to be informed as soon as there was any news.
2. Continuous Infinitives express an action in progress happening at the same time as the action expressed by the main verb.
Its nice to be sitting here with you.
3. Perfect Infinitives (Active and Passive) express an action that happened before the time of the main verb.
Im glad to have seen you.
4. Perfect Continuous Infinitives express an action that lasted a certain time before the time of the main verb.
She proved to have been teaching English for ten years.
5. The Active Infinitive denotes that the subject is the doer of the action expressed by the infinitive. The Passive Infinitive denotes that the subject is acted upon.
She was delighted to be invited to the party.
Jane is fortunate now to have been given a scholarship last month.
6. To form a Negative Infinitive add not before the infinitive.
She wrote things down not to forget them.
7. Functions. The Infinitive is used in the function of the subject, predicative, object, attribute, and adverbial modifier.
To sleep a few minutes longer wouldnt do her any harm. (subject)
His intention is to get into parliament. (predicative)
Caroline expected to go to the office. (object)
Her job was to help the other employees. (attribute)
He has a wife and a small boy to look after. (attribute)
He came here to study English. (adv. mod. of purpose)
I was too busy to see anyone. (adv. mod. of result)
8. When verb+infinitive refer to a verb mentioned earlier, it is not necessary to repeat the base form of the preceding verb. The to alone is sufficient and is understood to stand for the earlier verb.
A: Have you written your essay yet?
B: No, but Im planning to this evening. (=planning to write it)
The Infinitive without the Particle to
There are cases when the infinitive without the particle to is used. They are as follows:
1. After auxiliary and modal auxiliary verbs (except the verb ought (to)).
They didnt invite her to the party.
He doesnt understand the meaning of this word.
She can swim like a fish.
2. After verbs of sense perception such as to hear, to see, to feel, to notice, to watch.
I often see the children play in the yard.
3. After let and help.
I let my friend borrow my bicycle.
My brother helped me (to) wash my car.
4. After make and have in the meaning of , , but in the Passive make has the infinitive with to.
Sad movies make me cry.
They were made to pay for everything.
|
|
|
I had my brother carry my suitcase.
5. After the expressions had better, would rather, would sooner, cannot but, nothing but.
Its going to rain. Youd better take an umbrella.
Id rather wait for a few minutes if you dont mind.
He would sooner die that allow her to leave.
I cannot but think so.
There is nothing left for us but wait.
6. In sentences beginning with why not.
Why not go and do it yourself?
Ex. I. Complete each sentence with an infinitive with or without to:
1. They said good-bye like old friends and promised (see) each other again.
2. The company decided (develop) the new product two years ago.
3. We intend (send) you the documents next week.
4. We need (increase) research to develop a completely new product.
5. The students are made (practice) verbs every day.
6. She made the students (decorate) the room with maps and posters of the USA.
7. Let a sleeping dog (lie).
8. We would like (upgrade) this model next year.
9. You can (use) your credit card (pay) for phone calls.
10. If the quality is not good, we might (change) our suppliers.
11. A consultant can help you (draw up) a marketing plan.
12. I would rather (go) to the museum next Saturday.
13. The new personnel policy lets us (take) initiatives.
14. We have asked the bank (notify) us of all transactions.
Ex. II. Your good friend Nick is asking for advice. What would you say in each situation? Start with Youd better , Why not? , You should
1. Nick is having trouble in his computer programming class.
2. Nick tells you that his parents dont have the money to pay for his education.
3. Nick hasnt called his girlfriend for a week because he thinks she is angry with him. He wants to see her, but he doesnt know how to handle the situation.
