Bare infinitive and “to”- infinitive
Bare infinitive
1. used as the main verb after the auxiliary verb ‘do’, or most modal auxiliary
verbs ‘should, can, will, etc.’
- I should do my English homework.
- You can play the tambourine.
2. used after common verbs of perception with a direct object (watch, hear,
feel), and common verbs of permission or causation (make, have, let).
- I felt it move!
- I let the dog finished my food
3. sometimes follows the question word ‘why’.
- Why sing that?
4. Words to pay attention to: make, let, help, model verbs (can, may, must,
should, etc), verbs of perception (see, watch, hear, notice), had better,
would rather
“to” – infinitive
1. can be used to express purpose, or to answer the question ‘why?’
- Tom went to his friend’s house to play computer games.
- Caroline bought some ingredients to bake a cake.
2. We can explain why using the phrase ‘in order to’ or ‘in order not to’.
- We went shopping in order to buy a gift
- The full infinitive itself can be used to mean ‘in order to’.
- Alyson works hard to earn a lot of money. = Alyson works hard in
order to earn a lot of money.
3. is used after certain verbs, particularly verbs of thinking, feeling and
saying.
- I decided to forget what Linda said.
- Beth loves to dance.
4. used after certain adjectives, either to give reason or to give opinions.
- I’m so pleased to hear about Lucy’s new job! = I am pleased because
I have heard about Lucy’s new job.
- Our teacher speaks English so quickly it is impossible to understand
her. = In my opinion it is impossible understanding the teacher.
5. Words to pay attention to: want, decide, agree, refuse, hope, promise,
offer, expect, plan, afford, learn etc, advice and suggestions
Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets
1. She made me ___ (apologize) for arriving late
2. I promised ___ (call) her before going out.
3. They let the children ___ (stay) up late during the holidays.
4. I can’t afford ___ (buy) that expensive jacket.
5. My teacher advised me ___ (revise) more before the test.
6. We watched the players ___ (train) after the match.
7. I’d rather ___ (walk) than take the bus home.
8. He agreed ___ (help) with the decorations.
9. The manager told her ___ (finish) the report by noon.
10. I heard someone ___ (sing) in the corridor.
11. She was the first ___ (arrive) at the meeting.
12. My parents want me ___ (become) a doctor.
1. 2. 3. 4.
5. 6. 7. 8.
9. 10. 11. 12.
13. I saw her ___ (drop) the keys on the ground.
14. He refused ___ (lend) me any money.
15. They made the suspect ___ (wait) for the police.
16. I hope ___ (see) you again soon.
17. You’d better ___ (study) harder for the exam.
18. She offered ___ (drive) me home after the party.
19. We helped him ___ (carry) the heavy boxes.
20. I expect ___ (finish) all my work by tomorrow.
21. They advised me not ___ (make) the same mistake twice.
22. Did you remember ___ (lock) the back door?
23. The coach made us ___ (run) ten laps around the field.
24. He asked me ___ (show) him how to use the camera.
13. 14. 15. 16.
17. 18. 19. 20.
21. 22. 23. 24.
1. apologize – make + object + bare infinitive
2. to call – promise + to-infinitive
3. stay – let + object + bare infinitive
4. to buy – can’t afford + to-infinitive
5. to revise – advise + object + to-infinitive
6. train – see/watch/hear + object + bare infinitive (when we see the
whole action)
7. walk – would rather + bare infinitive
8. to help – agree + to-infinitive
9. to finish – tell + object + to-infinitive
10. sing – hear + object + bare infinitive
11. to arrive – be the first/last + to-infinitive
12. to become – want + object + to-infinitive
13. drop – see + object + bare infinitive
14. to lend – refuse + to-infinitive
15. wait – make + object + bare infinitive
16. to see – hope + to-infinitive
17. study – had better + bare infinitive
18. to drive – offer + to-infinitive
19. carry – help + bare infinitive (without “to” is common)
20. to finish – expect + to-infinitive
21. to make – advise + object + to-infinitive; “not” goes before “to”
22. to lock – remember + to-infinitive (remember to do something you
must do)
23. run – make + object + bare infinitive
24. to show – ask + object + to-infinitive