Infinitive in English examples. Infinitive in English: a complete analysis of the initial form of the verb. Perfect infinitive. Perfect Infinitive

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IN English language infinitive(Infinitive) is a word that denotes an action, but does not indicate a person or number. In Russian, the English infinitive corresponds to the infinitive form of the verb, which answers the questions “what to do? what to do?": to live - to live.

The formal sign of the infinitive is the particle to:

to write- write, to read- read, to drink- drink, to think- think.

If there is a particle before the verb to, then before you is an infinitive (or an indefinite form of a verb). Sometimes the infinitive can be used without a particle to.

The negative form is formed using a particle not, which comes before the infinitive: not to use - do not use.

It is difficult to use .- Difficult use.
It is difficult not to use .- Difficult do not use.

Infinitive forms

In English, the infinitive has 6 forms (unlike Russian, which has only one form). To understand well the meanings of the infinitive forms, you need to have an understanding of the verb.

Simple infinitive. Indefinite Infinitive

Infinitive in the form Indefinite (Simple) or simple infinitive is the basic form and represents the verb in the dictionary (for convenience, the particle in the dictionary to often omitted). This form of the infinitive is in the same tense as the verb that precedes it.

I was glad to see her. — I was glad to see her (simple infinitive in the active voice).
The child didn't like to be washed. — The child did not like being washed (simple infinitive in the passive voice).

Compare the use of the simple infinitive in the active and passive voice: to help - to be helped
I am glad to help you. - I am glad to help. (I'm glad I'm helping).
I am glad to be helped. - I'm glad they're helping me.

Perfect infinitive. Perfect Infinitive

Infinitive in the form Perfect or perfect infinitive denotes an action that precedes the action of the predicate verb.

I was very glad to have met you. - I am very glad that I met you (perfect infinitive in the active voice).
Sorry not to have noticed you. - Sorry that I didn’t notice you (perfect infinitive in the active voice).
The child was happy to have been brought to the circus. — The child was happy that he was brought to the circus (perfect infinitive in the passive voice).

Compare the use of the Simple Infinitive and the Perfect Infinitive in the active voice: to see - to have seen
I am glad to see you. - Glad to see you. (Glad to see you.)
I am glad to have seen you. - Glad I saw you.

Long infinitive. Continuous Infinitive

Infinitive in the form Continuous or long infinitive emphasizes the duration of an action occurring simultaneously with the action of the predicate verb. This form is used only in the active voice.

He doesn't seem to be writing something. — It seems he is writing something now (long infinitive in the active voice).

Perfectly continuous infinitive. Perfect Continuous Infinitive

Infinitive in the form Perfect Continuous or perfect continuous infinitive emphasizes that the action began earlier than the action of the predicate verb, lasted for a period of time and is still lasting. This form is also not used in the passive voice.

He didn't seem to have been writing all day. “It seemed like he was writing all day.”

Infinitive forms in the table

The meaning of different forms of the infinitive in the table
Infinitive forms	What am I happy about?
Simple	I am glad to speak to you.	Glad to talk to you. (I always rejoice when I talk to you).
Continuous	I am glad to be speaking to you.	I'm glad I'm talking to you now.
Perfect	I am glad to have spoken to you.	Glad I talked to you.
Perfect Continuous	I am glad to have been speaking to you.	I’m glad that I’ve been talking to you for a long time (all this time).
Simple Passive	I am (always) glad to be told the news.	I'm always glad when people tell me news.
Perfect Passive	I am glad to have been told the news.	Glad you told me the news.

Using the infinitive without the particle to

Most often the infinitive in English is used with the particle to, but there are cases when the particle to not used before an infinitive.

The infinitive is used without particle to in the following cases:

• After can, could, must, may, might, will, shall, should, would And need (in the modal sense). Exceptions are modal verbs have to, ought to, be to.

• IN complex addition after sensory verbs feel(feel), hear(hear), see(see), watch(observe), notice(notice):
  

  I saw him leave the office. — I saw him leave the office.
  I heard him go down the stairs. “I heard him come down the stairs.
  

  But: if the listed verbs feel, see, hear, watch, notice are used in the passive voice, then the particle precedes the infinitive to:
  

  He was seen to leave the office. — We saw him leave the office.
  

• In a complex object after verbs make(meaning “to force, compel”) And let(meaning “to allow, allow”). Again, if these verbs are in the passive voice, then the infinitive is used with the particle to.
  

  I can't make you take this medicine. “I can’t force you to take this medicine.”
  We let her go to the party. — We allowed her to go to the party.
  She was made to rewrite the test. — She was forced to rewrite the test (was made - passive verb).
  

• After the verb help(to help) the infinitive can also be used with a particle to, and without it. Both options are acceptable, with the option without to less formal.

Infinitive is the basic, impersonal form of the verb. Sign infinitive in English is a particle to, For example: (to) go, (to) be, (to) ask, (to) fight, (to) understand, (to) walk.

English infinitive combines the characteristics of a verb and, to some extent, a noun. The latter is expressed in the fact that the infinitive can act in a sentence as a subject, object, predicative, definition, circumstance and some others.

For example:
To learn is important.
Teaching important. ( The infinitive functions as a subject.)

The most important thing is to learn.
The most important thing is study. (The infinitive performs the function of a predicate.)

He wants to learn.
He wants study. (The infinitive functions as a complement.)

Negative forms of the infinitive are formed by adding a negative particle not to the infinitive.

For example:
I decided to invite them. – I decided not to invite them.
I solved them invite. - I solved them don't invite.

Infinitive forms in English

There are several forms of the infinitive in English, which are discussed in detail below. To better understand the difference between the listed infinitive forms, you need to have a good understanding of tenses and voice in English.

Continuous Infinitive / Progressive Infinitive

Method of education: (to) + be + present participle

Examples: (to) be writing, (to) be reading, (to) be walking, etc.

Continuous Infinitive(also called Progressive Infinitive) is used to show that actions or events will occur at the time of speech.

For example:
I happened to be waiting for the bus when the accident happened.
It so happened that I waited bus when the accident occurred.

You must be joking.
You probably, you're kidding.

Perfect Infinitive

Method of education: (to) have + past participle

Examples: (to) have received, (to) have broken, (to) have seen, etc.

Perfect Infinitive can be used in the same situations in which the past tense or perfect tenses are used (see verb tenses).

For example:
I am happy to have left school. (= I am happy that I have left school.)
I am glad that graduated school.

You seem to have announced him. (= It seems that you have annoyed him.)
It seems you are him annoyed.

It's nice to have finished work. (= It is nice that I have finished work.)
Nice finish work.

Perfect Infinitive often used to describe impossible actions in the past tense.

For example:
If you had run a bit faster, you would have won.
If you ran a little faster, you would won.

You should have told me you were coming.
I needed it say that you will come.

Passive Infinitive

Method of education: (to) be + past participle

Examples: (to) be given, (to) be seen, (to) be loved, etc.

Passive Infinitive passive voice).

For example:
Everybody wants to be loved.
Everybody wants them loved.

There is a lot of work to be done.
Need to execute a lot of work.

She ought to be told about it.
She should talk about it say.

Perfect Passive Infinitive

Method of education: (to) + have been + past participle

Perfect Passive Infinitive has the same meaning as regular verbs in Passive Voice (see passive voice).

For example:
They were lucky – they could have been killed.
They were lucky - they could have been kill.

Perfect Continuous Infinitive / Perfect Progressive Infinitive

Method of education: (to) have been + present participle

Examples: (to) have been crying, (to) have been wanting, etc.

Perfect Continuous Infinitive(also called Perfect Progressive Infinitive) is used in Perfect Continuous tenses (see verb tenses).

For example:
We have been waiting for ages.
We we wait for ages now.

How long have you been living here?
How long have you been here? live?

Using the infinitive without the particle to

Usually infinitive in English used with particle to. But in some cases the infinitive is used without a particle to. Such cases are discussed below.

1. After modal verbs:

We can manage it.
We can handle this.

We must get someone to paint the roof.
We need to get someone to paint our roof.

You may go now.
You can go.

2. After modal constructions ( would rather, had better):

You had better consult a doctor.
You better go see a doctor.

I would rather go alone.
I'd rather go alone.

3. After the verb do, used as an intensifying verb:

I do admit that I was wrong.
Yes, I admit that I was wrong.

But you did say that!
But you said it!

4. With a verb let in the meaning of “allow” or incentive sentences:

Let's him go.
Let him go.

Let's me help you with the translation.
Let me help you with the translation.

5. In combination with verbs of perception to see, to hear, to watch etc., if they are not in the passive voice:

I saw her light the lamp.
I saw her light the lamp.

We heard her sing a song.
We heard her sing a song.

We watched them play.
We watched them play.

6. After the verb make meaning “to force”, if it is not in the passive voice:

They made me wait.
They kept me waiting.

He made me come.
He made me come.

7. After the verb help it is allowed to omit the particle to:

She helped the child (to) lift the box.
She helped the child lift the box.

If in cases 5-7 the passive voice is used, then the particle to required:

She was heard to sing a song.
They heard her sing a song.

She was made to pay back the money.
She was forced to pay money.

He was helped to lift the box.
They helped him lift the box.

8. After alliances and, or, except, but, than, as And like in the case when they are used to connect two infinitives:

It is as easy to smile as frown.
Smiling is as easy as frowning.

Do you want to have lunch now or wait till later?
Do you want to have lunch now, or wait?

We had nothing to do except look at the cinema posters.
We had nothing to do but look at movie posters.

9. After why And why not in question:

Why pay more at other shops? We have the lowest prices.
Why pay more at other stores? We have the lowest prices.

Why not make it up with him?
Why not apologize to him?

The infinitive and its use are discussed in more detail in the section

Greetings, ladies and gentlemen! Today we will learn what an infinitive is, get acquainted with the rules of formation and learn the forms, and also discuss the role it plays in a sentence and find out when the infinitive is used with the particle “to” and when without.

Infinitive in English (Infinitive)- impersonal or indefinite form of the English verb, which answers the question “What to do?”, “What to do?”. It indicates only the action, without naming the person, number or mood.

A distinctive feature of the infinitive is the particle “to”, but in some cases it can be omitted (bare infinitive).

I was glad to see you. - I was glad to see you.
Can't play chess. - He knows how to play chess.

Negative forms are formed by adding a particle " not"before the infinitive.

I have decided not to invite them. - I decided not to invite them.

Rules for forming the infinitive in English

The infinitive in English has 4 forms (or types) in the active (active) voice and 2 in the passive (passive).

Let's look at them:

Forms of the English infinitive

• Simple Infinitive- the form that we are used to seeing in the dictionary. It is usually used to indicate action in the present or future tense.

I am glad to meet Peter. - I'm glad to meet Peter.
I have a lot of work to do. - I have a lot of work to do.

• Continuous Infinitive- this form indicates a long-term effect. This infinitive, like the Simple, denotes an action in the present or future tense.

The weather seems to be changing. - It seems the weather is changing.
He doesn't seem to be sleeping. - He seems to be sleeping.

• Perfect Infinitive names an action that occurred before the moment of speech indicated in the sentence or before another action.

I am happy to have left school. - I'm glad I left school.
She will pretend to have won the lottery. - She will pretend that she won the lottery.

• Perfect Continuous Infinitive shows an action that lasts until certain point or other action in the present.

I'm glad to have been living in London for so long. - I'm glad I've lived in London for so long.
Jack seems to have been living here since his childhood. - It seems that Jack has lived here since childhood.

• Passive Indefinite Infinitive expresses an action on someone or something that occurs simultaneously with the action expressed by a verb in its personal form - a predicate verb.

I didn't expect to be invited. - I didn't expect to be invited.
Everybody wants to be loved. - Everyone wants to be loved.

• Passive Perfect Infinitive used to denote an action in the passive voice that occurred before the action or state expressed by the predicate verb.

Not said to have won the Olympic Gold. - They say he won gold medal at the Olympic Games.
They were lucky - they could have been killed. - They were lucky - they could have been killed.

Functions of the infinitive in English

The infinitive in a sentence can perform various functions: be a subject, an object, part of a compound predicate, a definition, etc.

• Subject.

To walk alone late at night is very dangerous. - Walking alone late at night is very dangerous.

• Addition (object).

Many people hate to lose. - Many people hate losing.

• Part of a compound predicate.

My decision is to stay here for a couple of days. - My decision is to stay here for a couple of days.

• Definition (attribute).

She was the best to solve this problem. “She solved this problem best of all.”

• Adverbial modifier

You can break this model. It was made to be tested. - You can break this model. It was made for testing.

The infinitive is often used in sentences as introductory words or phrases.

To put it mildly, Jack was tipsy. - To put it mildly, Jack was tipsy.
To tell the truth, I don’t really like this city. - To be honest, I really don’t like this city.
Well, to cut a long story short, the party was awful. - In short, the party was terrible.

When the infinitive is used with the particle to

• The infinitive is usually used with the particle “to”: “to read”, “to write”, “to work”.

But, if in a sentence there are 2 infinitives connected by the conjunction “and” or “or”, then the particle “to” is usually omitted before the second infinitive.

She decided to go and buy something for supper. - She decided to go and buy something for dinner.
I intend to call on him and discuss this question. - I intend to go to him and discuss this issue.

• The particle "to" is sometimes used at the end of a sentence without a verb.

This is done to avoid repeating the same verb in a sentence. This use of the particle “to” usually occurs after the verbs “ to wish"- wish, " to want"- want, " to try"- try , « to allow"- allow, " to have to"- be obligated, etc.

I didn't want to stay there, but I had to. - I didn’t want to stay there, but I had to (stay).
He wished to go, but he wasn’t able to. - He wanted to go, but was not able (could not go).

• The infinitive with “to” is used after the verbs “ask” (ask), “learn” (learn, find out), “explain” (explain), “decide” (decide), “find out” (find out), “want to know” "(want to know) when they are followed by a question word.

We should decide now what to do next. - We must decide now what to do next.
Ralph wanted to know where to buy some good cheese. - Ralph wanted to know where he could buy good cheese.

• The infinitive with “to” is always used after the words “first” (first), “second” (second), “next” (next), “last” (last).

He loves parties: he is always the first to come and the last to leave. - He loves parties: he is always the first to arrive and the last to leave.

• The infinitive with “to” is used after the expressions “would like” or “would love” (would like), “would prefer” (would prefer), which indicate a specific desire.

I would like to talk to her right now. - I'd like to talk to her right now.
I would love to help you, but I have no time. - I would love to help you, but I don’t have time.
I would prefer to drink hot tea - I would prefer to drink hot tea.

• The infinitive with "to" is always used after the words "too" and "enough".

It’s too cold outside to go jogging. - It's too cold outside to go for a run.
That place was good enough to visit it again. - That place was good enough to visit again.

List of verbs that require an infinitive after themselves

to agree- agree
to aim- intend, try
to appear- turn out to be
to arrange- negotiate
to ask- ask
to attempt- to attempt
to be able- to be able, to be able
to run- ask, beg
to begin- start
to care- want, have a desire
to choose- choose
to claim- declare, affirm
to dare- make up your mind, have courage
to decide- decide
to demand- demand
to deserve- deserve
to dread- to be afraid, to be afraid
to expect- expect
to fail- not to come true, not to do, not to be able to
to get- get permission
to happen- turn out to happen
to hesitate- not to decide
to hope- hope
to hurry- hurry up
to intend- intend
to learn- study
to manage- be able to cope
to need- need
to neglect- forget, not do something
to plan- to plan
to prepare- get ready
to pretend- pretend, pretend
to proceed- go to, start doing something after something
to promise- promise
to refuse- refuse
to seem- seem
to strive- try, make an effort
to wear- to swear
to tend- to have a tendency, to gravitate
to threaten- threaten, intimidate
to vow- take an oath
to wait- wait
to want- want
to wish- want, desire

When the infinitive is used without the particle to

• After modal verbs(may, can, should, must etc).

Children should spend more time outside. - Children should spend more time outdoors.
Can I ask you a question? - Can I ask you a question?

Exception The modal verbs are “dare” / “ought” / “have” / “be”.

She ought to be more polite to other people. - She should be more polite to people.

• After the verbs “let”, “make”, “see”, “hear”, “feel”.

I felt him put his hand on my shoulder. “I felt him put his hand on my shoulder.
I saw she leave the room. - I saw her leave the room.
I heard her sing. - I heard her sing.

But, if these verbs are used in Passive Voice, then they are accompanied by an infinitive with the particle “to”.

Not was seen to leave the house. - We saw him leave the house.

• After the verb “help” (to help), a verb can be used either with or without “to”.

Help me ( to) find my keys, please. - Help me find the keys, please.

• After the expressions “had better” / “would rather”.

I would rather don't tell them about it. - I would prefer not to tell them about it.
You" d better see the doctor. - You'd better go to the doctor.
I" d rather drink coffee - I would prefer to drink coffee.

• IN interrogative sentences, which begin with "Why not?" (why not).

Why not dance? - Why not dance?
Why not join us and have some wine? - Why not join us and have some wine?

Conclusion

We hope that we have revealed to you all the secrets of the infinitive in English. Now you can safely apply the rules in practice and avoid mistakes in speech :)

Good luck in your studies!

Big and friendly EnglishDom family

So as not to miss new ones useful materials,

I have already written about this impersonal form of the verb in English earlier. The article is called " ". I recommend reading it first as it helps you get general idea about the infinitive. Let me remind you that an infinitive is an indefinite form of a verb. The standard form of the infinitive in English is formed using the base (dictionary) form, which is preceded by the particle to. But there are a certain number of cases where it is used without this particle. Here we are already talking about such a concept as “naked infinitive” - bare infinitive. To clearly articulate when we need infinitive with particle to , and when without it, I write this article.

But before we move directly to listing these cases, I would like to repeat what forms the English infinitive can have (using the example of the verb to leave– leave, leave):

1. Present Active– (to) leave
   

   I am ready to see him now. – I’m ready to see him now (present)

   George wants to find a new job next month. – George wants to find a new job next month (future)

2. Present Passive– (to) be left
   

   She expects to be presented a special gift on the anniversary. She is expecting a special gift for her anniversary.

   He hopes to be invited to his daughter's wedding. He hopes to be invited to his daughter’s wedding.

3. Present Continuous Active– (to) be leaving
   

   My mother seems to be painting the walls. “I think my mother is painting the walls.”

   They seem to be building a house. - It seems they are building a house.

4. Perfect Active– (to) have left
   

   He claims to have infected with flu about 10 people. – He states that he infected about ten people with the flu.

   I seem to have made a short film. – I think I made a short film.

5. Perfect Passive– (to) have been left
   

   A famous journalist is said to have been killed in Egypt. – They say that a famous journalist was killed in Egypt.

   The unique painting is said to have been sold for $20 millions. – They say that the famous painting was sold for 20 million dollars.

6. Perfect Continuous– (to) have been leaving
   

   Courtney claims to have been working for this company for 3 years. – Courtney states that she has been working for this company for three years.

   They are known to have been developing a new medicine for several years. – It is known that they have been developing a new drug for several years.

Infinitive with the particle to

So, we move on to the main topic of this article. I would like to list the cases when it is necessary to use the standard form of the infinitive with a particle to. This particle will appear before the infinitive if:

1. We express a purpose defined by an infinitive verb.
   

   She returned home to ask for some extra money. “She returned home to ask for more money.

   We are leaving in ten minutes to catch the train to London. We are leaving in 10 minutes to catch the train to London.

2. The infinitive will follow the following verbs: advise, agree, appear, decide, expect, hope, manage, offer, promise, refuse, seem, want, afford, pretend and etc.
   

   He offered me to stay at home instead of going out. – Instead of going somewhere, he invited me to stay at home.

   Why did you refuse to conduct these negotiations? – Why did you refuse to negotiate?

3. Before the infinitive there is a combination “definite verb +”. The list of words acts as certain verbs: know, decide, ask, learn, remember and etc.
   

   She wants to know why you decided to spend your vacation abroad. – She wants to know why you decided to spend your holidays abroad.

   I explained how to use the new washing-machine. – I explained how to use the new washing machine.

   By the way, if a sentence has two infinitives with the particle to, which are connected English alliances and, or, particle to before the second one can be omitted.

   I didn't decide where to go and stay. – I haven’t decided where to go or where to stay.

   My boss explained how to write an article and take photos. – My boss explained how to write an article and take photographs.

4. The infinitive is used after such as glad, nice, happy, sorry, willing, afraid, ashamed and etc.
   

   I am willing to overlook your mistakes, but I can’t do this. “I want to ignore your mistakes, but I can’t do that.”

   It's nice to see you again. - Nice to see you again.

5. It is preceded by:
   

   My friend is too shy to take the initiative in acquainting with people. – My friend is too shy to take the initiative when meeting people.

   I've got enough money to buy a flat downtown. – I have enough money to buy an apartment in the city center.

6. We make a proposal based on the design " it+be+adjective" (+ of+ or ).
   

   It was nice of him to tell the truth about his past. “It’s very good that he told the truth about his past.”

   It's important to receive all necessary books before we start our lessons. – It is important that all the necessary books arrive before we start studying.

7. It is accompanied by the expression would like / would love / would prefer. Each of them implies that someone would like to do something.
   

   I would like to move to London. - I would like to move to London.

   I would prefer to go by car. – I would prefer to go by car.

8. There is a word in the sentence only, which helps express dissatisfaction with some result or event.
   

   She went to work only to meet her angry boss. She went to work only to meet with an angry boss.

   I rushed to the railway station just to make sure that the train had already left. “I rushed to the station only to make sure that the train had already left.

9. We use it after such nouns and pronouns as something, somewhere, anyone, nothing. This is usually how we show that something is necessary or possible.
   

   Let's give them something to talk about. - Let's give them something to talk about.

   Take something to eat on our trip. - Take some food for the road.

10. The sentence contains a combination be+the first / the second, etc. / next / last / best and etc.
    

    You were the first to congratulate me with my birthday. – You were the first to congratulate me on my birthday.

    I am the next to choose where to go on holidays. – Next I choose where to go on vacation.

Infinitive without particle to

Cases in which we use infinitive without particle to , that is bare infinitive, far less. But you definitely need to know them. Because you don't want to do grammatical errors in this thread? So we use the bare infinitive after:

1. ( , , , , etc). The exception is modal verbs / / / which are used with the infinitive with to.
   

   We should tell our parents about the party. – We should tell our parents about the party.

   He must apologize for his words. “He must apologize for his words.”

   She ought to be more polite to other people. “She should be more polite to people.”

2. After verbs let, make, see, hear, feel.
   

   We saw them kiss. “We saw them kissing.”

   I won't let her marry without my blessing. “I won’t let her get married without my blessing.”

   But, if these verbs are used in, they are accompanied by an infinitive with a particle to.

   He was heard to say either he was trying to kill someone or someone was trying to kill him. “They heard him say that either he was trying to kill someone or someone was trying to kill him.”

3. After expressions / would rather.
   

   You'd better sit down. - You better sit down.

   I'd rather go to jail than serve in the military. “I would rather go to prison than serve in the armed forces.”

4. In interrogative sentences that begin with the words Why not? (why not).
   

   Why not go to the cinema? – Why not go to the cinema?

At first it may seem that there is no end to the information here! But actually it is not. While learning English, you somehow come across the mentioned verbs, phrases, constructions, and remember which infinitive goes with them in a complex. Here is just a list of situations that may come your way. Don't be confused!

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Test

Using the infinitive with the particle to and without the particle to

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This article will tell you about the infinitive in English.

The infinitive is the indefinite form of the verb. This form expresses action but does not show person or number. The infinitive answers the questions “what to do?”, “what to do?”: to run– run/come running, to cook– cook/cook. In a sentence, the infinitive can be used with a particle to and without her. In the article “” we talked in detail about these rules.

The infinitive can freely “travel” around the sentence. Typically it plays the role of:

1. Subject
   

   To walk alone late at night is very dangerous. – Walk Alone late at night is very dangerous.

2. Parts of the predicate
   

   My decision is to stay here for a couple of days. - My decision - stay here for a couple of days.

3. Add-ons
   

   Many people hate to lose. - Many people hate lose.

4. Definitions
   

   She was the best to solve this problem. - She is the best decided this task.

5. Circumstances
   

   You can break this model. It was made to be tested. – You can break this model. She was done for testing.

Now we will move on to the most interesting part of our article - the infinitive forms.

Infinitive forms in English

In English, the infinitive has no less than four forms: simple ( simple), long ( continuous), perfect ( perfect), perfect continuous ( perfect continuous). They can exist in reality ( active) And passive voice (passive).

Let's look at the table showing the verb to ask(ask) in different forms.

Infinitive	Simple	Continuous	Perfect	Perfect Continuous
Active	to ask	to be asking	to have asked	to have been asking
Passive	to be asked	to be asked	to have been asked	to have been asked

Russian does not have such a variety of infinitive forms as English. For this reason, when translating, we will most often use a simple infinitive or a verb in the personal form.

To be fair, it should be said that the continuous and perfect continuous passive infinitives are used extremely rarely in English.

Let's find out more about the forms themselves and cases of their use:

1. Simple Infinitive– simple infinitive

   This is the form that we are used to seeing in the dictionary. It is usually used to indicate action in the present or future tense.

   I am really glad to see you again. - I am very happy see you again.

   This work should be done immediately. – This work should do immediately.

2. Continuous Infinitive– long infinitive

   The continuous infinitive indicates a continuous action. This infinitive, like the simple one, denotes an action in the present or future tense.

   He must be still reading a magazine. - He's probably still is reading magazine.

   Please note that according to classical rules between particles to and other words are not used as infinitives. But in modern spoken language an adverb may appear between them. This sentence construction is not considered an error, but in formal English it is better to avoid splitting the infinitive.

3. Perfect Infinitive– perfect infinitive

   The perfect infinitive names an action that occurred before the moment of speech indicated in the sentence or before another action.

   I am sorry to have told him this secret. - I'm sorry that I told this secret to him.

   There is a drawing on the table. This sketch must have been made by George. - There is a drawing on the table. This sketch must be was made George.

4. Perfect Continuous Infinitive– perfect continuous infinitive

   This infinitive shows an action that lasts until a specific moment or other action in the present.

   He is dissatisfied to have been living here for five years. - He is very dissatisfied with the fact that lives here for five years.

In conclusion, we invite you to watch a video in which the teacher Alex talks about the features of infinitives in the active and passive voices. And don’t forget to take a little test that will help you remember the infinitive forms better.

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Test

Infinitive in English: forms and their use

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