The infinitive
Use infinitives with and without 'to' in the right places.
You know the base form of a verb, such as go or write. This lesson shows how that base form, with or without to, can do many jobs in a sentence.
An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually with to before it, used as a noun, adjective or adverb.
Examples
- To climb a hill at dawn is a joy.
- Do you have something to eat?
- Ravi woke early to catch the train.
- You must wear a helmet.
- Dad made me tidy my room.
How it works
As a noun
An infinitive can be the subject or object of a verb.
Neha wants to become a doctor.
As an adjective
It can follow a noun and describe it.
We have a lot of work to finish.
To show purpose
An infinitive often tells us why someone does something.
Karan went to the market to buy vegetables.
The bare infinitive
Drop to after modals such as can, must, should, after make and let in the active voice, and after had better and would rather.
You had better leave now.
Quick reference
| After these words | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| want, hope, decide, plan | to + verb | They decided to wait. |
| how, what, where, when | to + verb | Tell me where to sit. |
| can, may, must, should, will | bare verb | She can sing well. |
| make, let (active) | bare verb | Let him speak. |
| had better, would rather | bare verb | I would rather walk. |
| be made (passive) | to + verb | He was made to apologise. |
Common mistakes
✕She can to drive a car.
✓She can drive a car.
A modal is followed by the verb without to.
✕Let me to help you.
✓Let me help you.
Let takes the bare infinitive.
✕I came here for to meet you.
✓I came here to meet you.
Purpose is shown by to + verb alone, never for to.
Worked example
Exercise 1
Tap the base verb that forms the infinitive with 'to'.
Anil wants to learn the tabla.
✓learn
to learn is the infinitive; learn is its base verb.
Unlock practice for this lesson
- Quick check with 5 questions and solutions
- 7 interactive exercises, from easy to hard, checked as you go
- How to use this in your own writing
- Progress tracking and a certificate when you finish
Already Premium?
Practice
7 exercises in this lesson
Practice is part of Premium. Lesson 1 is free if you want to try the format first.