Use of infinitivePol Obach & Henry Stassart

What is an infinitive?

• An infinitive is formed from a verb but doesn’t act as one.

• It acts as a noun, adjective or adverb• It can be made up of to + verb: to walk, to talk, to

think, to listen… or simply the verb: walk, talk, think, listen…

• Words that are formed from verbs but don’t act as verbs are called verbals (infinitive, gerund and participle)

Functions of infinitives• To indicate the purpose or intention of an action

► She's gone to collect her paycheck

►The three bears went into the forest to find firewood

• As the subject of the sentence► To be or not to be, that is the question

► To know her is to love her

• With nouns or pronouns, to indicate what something can be used for, or what is to be done with it

► Would you like something to drink?

► I haven't anything to wear

Use of infinitives• After adjectives in these patterns:• It is + adjective + to + infinitive

► It is good to talk• It is + adjective + infinitive + for someone + to-infinitive.

► It is hard for elephants to see mice• It is + adjective + infinitive + of someone + to-infinitive

► It is unkind of her to say that

• After an adjective + noun when a comment or judgment is being made

► This is the right thing to do.

Use of infinitives• With too and enough in these patterns:• Too much/many (+ noun) + to-infinitive

► There's too much sugar to put in this bowl.

• Too + adjective + to-infinitive► This soup is too hot to eat.

• Too + adverb + to-infinitive

►He arrived too late to see the actors.• Enough (+ noun) + to-infinitive

►I've had enough (food) to eat.

Use of infinitives• Adjective + enough + to-infinitive

► She's old enough to make up her own mind.

• Not enough (+noun) + to-infinitive

► There isn't enough snow to ski on.

• Not + adjective + enough + to-infinitive

► You're not old enough to have grand-children!

Exercises

Write the infinitiveVerb Infinitive

Ran

Cycling

Surfs

Dyed

Thought

Knitted

Whistles

Run

Cycle

Dye

Surf

Teach

Knit

Whistle

Join together the following sentences by using infinitives.

•  He did not have even a penny with him. He could not buy a loaf of bread.

► He did not have even a penny with him to buy a loaf of bread

• He went to the market. He wanted to buy some vegetables

► He went to the market to buy some vegetables.

• He collects old stamps. It is his hobby.

► It is his hobby to collect old stamps.•  He has five children. He must provide for them

►  He has five children to provide for.•  I speak the truth. I am not afraid of it.

►  I am not afraid to speak the truth.

Infinitive or Gerund• On 17th February 2003, a congestion charge for _______

in central London was introduced.• The aim was_________ the number of vehicles in London's

City.• People now have the choice between _______ the charge

and not _______ into the City. • According to an opinion poll, more than 50 percent of

Londoners say that it is okay _________ people for ________ into the City.

•  The charge has proven very successful in _______ away traffic from the City.

driving(drive)

(reduce) to reduce

driving(drive) (pay)paying

to charge(charge)driving(drive)

turnng(turin)

Thank you for your attention