Infinitive Summary
Diagnostic
Infinitive Diagnostic: identifying specific points that need review
Quiz 1: beginning – intermediate
Quiz 2: intermediate – advanced
Infinitive as Subject
Infinitive as Subject: referring to activities, quotes and definitions
Beg.–Adv. ESL; Native Speakers
- Infinitive as Subjects
- "It" as the Subject
- Infinitive with Subject
- Quotes & Definitions
- Diagrams
- Grammar Notes (advanced)
- Practice 1 – edit
- Practice 2 – in context
To be or not to be. That is the question.
TO LAUGH: to express mirth, pleasure or amusement (dictionary entry)
Infinites as Object (verb complement)
Verb + Infinitive: expressing intent about future activity
Beg.–Int. ESL
- Infinitive Clause – as complement to a verb
- Verb + Infinitive List
- Bare Infinitive
- Negative
- Swtiching
- Meaning Differs Ger / Infin
- Practice 1 – multiple choice
- Practice 2 – multiple choice
- Practice 3 – edit
Edward needs to get help. (infinitive clause)
Ed needs [that Ed get some help]. (subclause)
He helped [to] get the work done.
Ed doesn't want us to help.
Ed wants us not to help.
He intends to try to persuade us to help him to change doctors.
Verb + Noun + Infinitive: getting other people to do things
Beg.–Int. ESL
Ed needs to get some help.
Ed needs me to get some help.
Ed intended Frida to do the portrait.
Ed persuaded Fridato do the portrait.
Ed made Frida do the portrait.
Ed helped Frida (to) do the portrait.
Order + Noun + Infinitive: imposing will on others (commands)
Int.–Adv. ESL
The judge ordered John to leave.
The judge ordered that John leave. (Verb uses base form, no -s.)
Infinitive Expressions
It takes – Infinitive: expressing how much is needed
Beg.–Int. ESL
- It takes X time
- It takes X noun
- Common Mistakes
- Practice – multiple choice
It takes ten minutes to get ready in the morning. (anyone)
It takes Jill ten minutes to get ready in the morning.
It takes ten minutes for her to get ready in the morning.
Too / Enough + Infin: stating minimum and maximum requirements
Int. ESL
- Too vs Enough
- Not too / Not enough
- Too many/ Too much
- Common Mistakes
- Grammar Notes
- Practice – complete sentence (MC)
She is too young to drive.
She is old enough to drive.
"Be" Adjective + Infin: expressing feelings and reactions
Beg.–Int. ESL
- Expressions of Feelings
- Adjectives + Infinitives
- Common Mistakes
- Practice 1 – complete sentence (MC)
- Practice 2 – complete sentence (MC)
We were happy to hear the good news.
"It is" Adj/Noun + Infin: expressing opinion or advice
Int. ESL
- It + Adj/Noun Expressions
- It is (adj) that
- It is (adj) for
- It…for Pattern List
- It…that Pattern List
- Common Mistakes
- Practice 1 – complete sentence (MD)
- Practice 2 – correct - incorrect
- Practice 3 – edit sentences
It's a good idea to put on your lab.
It's hard to know when a rat will get loose.
"In order" + Infinitive: showing purpose
Beg.–Adv. ESL
- In order to v. So that
- Introductory Clauses
- Purpose v. Discovery
- Common Mistakes
- Practice 1 – complete sent.
- Practice 2 – complete paragraph (adv).
The doctor operated in order to save his patient's life.
The doctor operated so that they could save his patient's life..
Infinitives Context: identifying infinitives
Beg.–Int. ESL
- Identifying Infinitive Use
- Practice – multiple choice
I want to explore.
I just want to do my best.
Related Pages
Splitting Verbs: adverb position
Int.–Adv. ESL, Native Speakers
I will faithfully execute the office of president...
I will execute faithfully the office of president...