The infinitive of a verb is its basic form with or without the particle to:
Examples:
- 'do' or 'to do'
- 'be' or 'to be'
The infinitive without to is called bare infinitive ('do', 'be')
The infinitive with to is called full infinitive ('to do', 'to be')
The full infinitive is used as follows:
- The full infinitive can function as a noun phrase. In this case it is used as follows.
- as a subject.
Examples:
To err is human, to forgive is divine.- as an object.
Examples:
I intended to marry her.
He wanted to know the whole truth.- It can also be used like an adjective or adverb.
Examples:
This is the game to watch. (to watch functions as an adjective, modifying the noun game)
This is the problem to think about. (to think about functions as an adjective modifying the noun 'the problem')
He went to his friend's house to study. (to study functions as an adverb answering the question why he went to his friend's house)
He is ready to go. (to go functions as an adverb, modifying the adjective 'ready'.)
- It is used to mean "in order to" to express purpose
Examples:
You need to exercise regularly to lose weight. (...in order to lose weight)
He works hard to earn a lot of money. (...in order to earn a lot of money)
Infinitives or gerunds
Lesson on gerund or infinitive.
Exercise on gerund or infinitive