What are infinitives?

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What are Infinitives?

  • Infinitives are the base form of a verb, often preceded by “to” (e.g., “to eat,” “to run,” “to swim”).
  • They can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs in sentences.

How to Use Infinitives:

  1. As Nouns: Infinitives can act as the subject or object of a sentence, similar to gerunds. For example: “To learn is important” (subject) or “I want to eat” (object).
  2. After Certain Verbs: Some verbs are followed by infinitives. These verbs include “want,” “need,” “like,” “love,” “hate,” “intend,” and more. For example: “I want to travel.”
  3. After Adjectives: Infinitives can follow adjectives to provide more information about a noun. For example: “She is happy to help.”
  4. To Express Purpose: Infinitives with “to” can be used to express the purpose or intention behind an action. For example: “I went to the store to buy groceries.”
  5. After Adverbs: Infinitives can follow adverbs like “too” and “enough” to modify an adjective or adverb. For example: “She is too tired to continue.”

Why Study Infinitives?

  • Infinitives are fundamental to English grammar and are used in various contexts.
  • Learning how to use infinitives correctly helps you express your intentions, desires, and purposes more precisely.
  • They are crucial for constructing clear and grammatically accurate sentences.

In summary, infinitives are the base form of verbs preceded by “to” and serve various functions in English sentences. Understanding their usage is essential for effective communication and accurate sentence construction in English.

Verbs followed by infinitives

See this list of 20 verbs followed by infinitives:

VerbExample Sentence
WantShe wants to travel.
NeedHe needs to study.
LikeThey like to sing.
LoveI love to read.
HateShe hates to wait.
IntendWe intend to win.
PlanThey plan to visit.
AgreeHe agrees to help.
DecideShe decided to go.
LearnWe want to learn.
HopeI hope to succeed.
PromiseThey promised to help.
ManageShe managed to finish.
RefuseHe refused to cooperate.
OfferShe offered to assist.
ExpectThey expect to arrive.
ChooseWe need to choose.
PrepareI’m preparing to cook.
WishI wish to travel.

I hope this helped you to learn about infinitives.

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