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Infinitives (Form (lnfinitives with to can be the subject, object or…
Infinitives
Form
lnfinitives with
to
can be the
subject
,
object
or
complement
of a **
verb
:
To give
is better than to receive. Evergone loves
to win**.
We make a negative with
not
+
infinitive
:
I tried
not
to look at the accident.
An infinitive can have its
own subject
, introduced with
for
:
For
evil
to
succeed it is only necessary
for
the good
to
do nothing.
ln
informal
English we sometimes put an
adverb
between
to
and the
infinitive
.
This is known as a
'split infinitive'
and we usually
avoid it in formal English
by putting the adverb in another position:
The doctor started to
carefully
remove the bandages. The doctor started to remove the bandages
carefully
.
There are also
perfect
,
continuous
and
passive forms
of the
infinitive
(
13.3A). lf, for example, the person who is doing the action described by the infinitive is not the subject of the sentence, we usually use
the passive infinitive
:
The repoft is
*to be handed
in first thing tomorrow morning.
lnfinitives of purpose and result
We can use an infinitive to describe the purpose or reason for an action:
Cover the turkeg in silver foil
to keep
the meat moist.
To stop
the train, pull the lever downwards.
We use
for
before
the infinitive when the
subject
of the infinitive is
different
from the
subject
of the
sentence
:
She went to WalMart
to get
some groceries.
We bought a cage
for
John
to keep
his hamster in.
ln more formal English we can use
in order
or
so as
+ infinitive of purpose:
lnterest rates have been raised
in order to
reduce inflationarg pressures.
We have removed the warning signs
so as not to
alarm members of the public.
The
infinitive
can also describe a result or something surprising, especially wilh
onlg
and verbs such as
find
,
discover
,
realise
, etc.:
They queued for hours at the box office
onlg to discover
that the show was sold out.
We also use infinitives after
too
and
enough
('22.2C) to talk about results:
That blue outfit was
too
informal
to
wear to the reception.
There isn't
enough
(food)
to
go around, I'm afraid.
Infinitives after adjectives and nouns
Many adjectives, especially those describing feelings, can be followed by
to + infinitive
(some common examples are in the box below):
We're
thrilled to welcome
this gear's prizewinner onto the podium.
The Bensons
are lucky to be
having such good weather.
adjective
+
to
+
infinitive
able,unable, afraid, anxious, ashamed, bound, careful, certain, crazy, curious, due, eager, fit, happg, impossible, likely, lucky, pleased, right, shocked, stupid, sure, surprised, thrilled, welcome, wrong
Many nouns can be followed by
to + infinitive
(some common examples are in the box below):
She's finallg made a decision to leave. Clare would be a fool to marrg him.
noun
+
to
+
infinitive
attempt, bid, decision, desire, incentive, need, nuisance, opportunity,place, pleasure, reason, time, wish
We can use a
noun
+
to
+
infinitive
after
there is,are
and
have (got) to
express an obligation:
Don't disturb me, I'
ve got a report to write
this evening.
4 forms