Infinitives

Infinitives

Alan Nava Cruz

What is an Infinitive form?

It's the base form of the verb adding "to". Example: to run to avoid to conclude

Full infinitives (with "to")

We use the verb base form adding "to" when

• We use a certain verb like: agree, choose, decide, learn, want, etc.
• We want to express purpose or answer the question "why". For example: I went to the store to buy provitions.
• After some adjectives like: Boring, hard, difficul, easy, etc. For example: It's boring to watch this movie. I know it's difficult to understand math.
• After some question words like: where, what, wether, etc. For example: I choose where to hide. How to make a cake?

Bare infinitives (without "to")

• After an auxilary like: can, should, will, do, etc. For example: She should make her bed
• After verbs of perceptions like: see, watch, sense, etc. For example: I watch them study.
• After some of permission like: make, let, (sometimes) help. For example: Why the page doesn't let me log in?
• It sometimes may follow the question word "why". For example: Why try again?

Gerund

Infinitive

I forgot turning off the TV but when I went to the leaving room I saw it off.(You did the action but you don't reemember).

I forgot to turn off the TV and I will pay an extra on my electricity bill (You forget something you need to do).

vs

He stopped to breath for a few seconds but he is now fine.(The action you don't do for a certain time).

He stopped painting because that wasn't his truly talent.(You do the action anymore).