What is Infinitive? Types of Infinitives, Definition and Example Sentences

What is Infinitives? Types of Infinitives, Definition and Example Sentences

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Infinitives

Infinitives, which are formed by adding -ing suffix to the verb and have more than one purpose, are used in two different ways, to infinite and bare infinitive. In the to infinitive pattern, the conjunction to must come before the verb used in the second place, and in the bare infinitive pattern, no conjunction or suffix should come before the verb used in the second place. We can give examples of these patterns by telling which pattern in which:

If you want to finish school fast, you must pass this course. (This sentence is bare infinitive because no affixes or conjunctions are used.)

Why do you always refuse to talk to me? I just want to fix the problem. (The to infinitive pattern is used in both these sentences because to is used after the first verb and after the second verb.

Here are 58 Verbs Followed by Infinitives

A Detailed Look at Infinitive Types

There are two types of infinitives as bare infinitive and to infinitive.

Bare Infinitive Type

In order to learn the bare infinitive well, you need to learn the modal verbs well first, because all the infinitive patterns that come after the modal verbs will be bare infinitive. Examples of modal verbs are can, could, must, may, might, should, shall, and have to modal verbs.

If you want to get better, you have to take your medicine.

In addition to being used after the bare infinitive modal verbs, it is also used after the verbs let, make, see, hear and feel.

They let him cheat on his own exam, which was unfair.

To Infinitive Type

The conjunction to is used just before the main verb to be used in this pattern. Any verb can be used in this pattern. In addition, this pattern is also used when making infinitives with the present continuous tense, the perfect tense, and the perfect continuous tense.

He seems to be like having a lot of fun at the party. (In this sentence, which is made infinitive with the Present Continuous Tense, first the conjunction to, followed by the verb be, and then the main verb with the -ing suffix is used.)

Alice seems to have failed all her exams. (In this infinitive sentence using Perfect Tense, to form, auxiliary verb have and the third form of the verb are used.)

Elizabeth says to have been studying Mathematics all week and have not been learning anything. (In infinitive sentences made with the Perfect Continuous Tense, you must first use the conjunction to, then use the have been pattern and add the verb with the -ing suffix.)

Verbs You Can Use for Infinitive Sentences

There are many verbs you can use to form infinitive sentences. These verbs are frequently used to construct infinitive sentences in English and are indispensable for constructing infinitive sentences. After learning these verbs and the necessary rules, you will be able to form regular, correct, and proper infinitive sentences.