Types of Infinitives in English (C-Level, Advanced)
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What It Is
The infinitive is the base form of a verb (i.e., the form of the verb listed in dictionaries). While infinitives are unconjugated, they generally work with with tense, aspect, and voice of other verbs to create various structures. Mastering infinitive constructions is essential for achieving precision and expressing complex ideas.
Infinitives appear in two primary forms: the to-infinitive (to examine, to go, to negotiate) and the bare infinitive (examine, go, negotiate). Beyond these basic forms, infinitives can express perfect aspect, passive voice, and progressive aspect, allowing speakers to convey temporal relationships and agency.
The To-Infinitive
The to-infinitive consists of the particle "to" followed by the base form of the verb (e.g., to substantiate, to articulate, to facilitate). This construction appears across a wide range of grammatical contexts and serves multiple discourse functions.
Core functions of To-Infinitives
The to-infinitive as subject
Commonly, the gerund form of the verb is used as a subject. For example,
Learning English well takes time and effort.
Reading a good book is what I like to do to relax.
The to-infinitive can also be used as subject, particularly in formal English. For example,
To learn English well takes time and effort.
To read a good book is what I like to do to relax.
Examples
To reconcile competing interests in international negotiations requires both diplomatic finesse and strategic patience.
To extrapolate from limited data without acknowledging inherent uncertainties would constitute methodological negligence.
To question established paradigms is not merely permitted in academic discourse—it is fundamental to intellectual progress.
The to-infinitive following specific verbs (verb + to-infinitive)
Some verbs in English are typically followed by a to-infinitive.
Examples
The board resolved to restructure the organization's governance framework despite considerable resistance.
He endeavored to maintain objectivity throughout the investigation, though his personal stake complicated matters.
The committee declined to endorse the proposal, citing insufficient evidence of long-term viability.
The to-infinitive expressing purpose or intention
Depending on the context, a to-infinitive expresses the purpose or intention (why someone does something). For example, in “I read a book to relax,” relaxing is the purpose for reading the book.
Examples
She pursued advanced certification to differentiate herself in an increasingly competitive professional landscape.
The corporation restructured its operations to streamline production processes.
Policymakers convened an emergency session to address the escalating crisis before it destabilized the entire region.
The to-infinitive following adjectives
Some adjectives in English can be followed by to infinitives (e.g., to be unwilling to do something, to be difficult to do something, to be important to do something).
Examples
The administration proved unwilling to confront the systemic issues that had plagued the institution for decades.
It would be premature to draw definitive conclusions from such preliminary findings.
The research team was meticulous to document every procedural detail to ensure replicability.
The to-infinitive with “for” to indicate a subject
Examples
It would be impractical for the entire staff to relocate to the new facility on such short notice.
The legislation made it possible for small businesses to compete more effectively against multinational corporations.
The instructions were too technical for a non-experts to comprehend.
The Bare Infinitive
The bare infinitive appears without the particle "to" and occurs in specific, well-defined grammatical contexts. Understanding when to omit "to" is crucial for producing natural, idiomatic English.
Contexts requiring the bare infinitive
The bare infinitive following modal verbs
Simple modal verbs (e.g., can, may, might, will, should, and so on) are followed by bare infinitives.
Examples
Legislators must weigh competing priorities when allocating resources.
The defendant could face substantial penalties.
You should anticipate significant pushback from stakeholders.
The bare infinitive after some causative verbs
Causative verbs express the idea that someone causes another person to do something or arranges for something to be done, rather than doing it themselves. The main causative verbs are: have, get, make, let, and help.
Other verbs such as allow, ask, cause, convince, encourage, force, order, and persuade are also followed by to-infinitives.
Causative verbs are often followed by a to-infinitive. For example, “I got him to tell the truth” or “She let the children stay up late.”
However, some causative verbs such as “help” can be followed by both a to-infinitive and a bare infinitive. For instance, “He helped me to carry the boxes” and “He helped me carry the boxes” are both correct.
Examples
Competitive pressures made the company accelerate its digital transformation timeline.
The new regulations let consumers access their personal data more easily than previous frameworks allowed.
Management had external auditors scrutinize the financial records to ensure compliance.
Could you help me contextualize these findings within the broader theoretical framework?
The bare infinitive after verbs of perception
Observers watched public sentiment shift dramatically in response to the unfolding scandal.
Did you notice the speaker contradict himself when addressing that particular question?
Residents felt the economic disparities widen as gentrification accelerated.
We heard the protesters chant slogans demanding systemic reform throughout the demonstration.
Up Next: Perfect Infinitives
Continue the lesson to learn about perfect infinitives, passive infinitives, and progressive infinitives.