infinitives

infinitives

1. full infinitives ( to + base)

   • to express purpose
     • I went to the post office to post som letters
   • after it + be + adjective
     • It was great to see you after such a long time.
   • after the first/second/last/best
     • Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon.
   • after certain adjective( afraid,surprised,free,happy,ready,sorry)
     • At last, he was free to do what he wanted
   • after certain verb(afford, agree, appear,decide , forget , hope,learn,manage,need,ect)
     • I hope to see you again soon.
   • after too and enough
     • It is not warm enough to go to the sea yet.
   • after the objects of certain verbs(advise,allow,encourage,invite,persuade,ect)
     • It was Glen who persuaded me to apply for this job.
   • after question words(how,what,when,where)
     • I dont know what to do.
   • after certain nouns(pleasure,shock,chance)
     • It was a great pleasure to meet you.

2. bare infinitives ( base form)

   • after modal verbs(can,may,must,should,ect.)
     • you should stat thinking about your future.
   • after the verbs let and make in the active voice
     • my parents let me stay up later at weekends.
   • after would rather and had better
     • Id rather go bowling tonight.
   • note: help + object pronoun can take either a full or bare infinitive.
     • can you help me (to) pack?

3. ing form

   • after the verb go, indicating physical activities
     • we often go fishing in the summer.
   • after certain verbs ( avoid, enjoy, finish, like, love, hate , imagine, keep, risk, spend(time), suggest, consider)
     • Martin suggested going to a Lebanese restaurant on Friday
   • after certain expressions(be interested in, cant stand , dont mind, how about, its no use, its no good, its worth, theres no point(in), be used to)
     • It's no use trying to do everything yourself.
   • after prepositions(for, about, without)
     • I am so excited about going to university next year.
   • as a noun(subject or object of a verb)
     • Exercising is a good way of keeping fit.

4. verb followed by full infinitive and ing form

   • Start, begin, continue, intend(for full infinitive or ing form) no difference in meaning.
     • It started to rain/raining a minute ago.
   • try
     • do something to see wat effect it will have (ing)
       • If you have a sore throat, try drinking some hot tea.
     • make an effort(full infinitive)
       • I will try to come tonight, but I can't promise anything.
   • remember
     • remember something that has already happend(ing)
       • Do you remember meeting Brian at the Bookers last week?
     • remember something before doing it(full infinitive)
       • Did you remember to lock the door before you left ?
   • forget
     • forget something that has already happend(ing)
       • I will never forget visiting the white House.
     • forget something you supposed to do(full infinitive)
       • Tony forgot to tell you that he was going away for the weekend.
   • regret
     • regret something that has already happened(ing)
       • Chelsea regretted talking to her sister like that.
     • be sorry to do something(full infinitive)
       • We regret to inform you that there are no more tickets for tonight's match.
   • stop
     • terminate an action and no longer do it after that time(ing)
       • Stop making excuses all the time.
     • pause temporarily in order to do something else.(full infinitive)
       • I was writing a letter but I stopped to answer the phone.
   • go on
     • continue an activity without stopping(ing)
       • He was so fascinated by the book that he went on reading it for hours.
     • do something after completing something else(full infinitive)
       • when he finished school, he went on to study Medicine.