Grammar Guide: Mastering To-infinitives
Hello there! Welcome to your guide on to-infinitives. This chapter is a key part of the "Infinitives and Gerunds" section of your English curriculum. Whether you are already a grammar pro or someone who finds English a bit like a confusing puzzle, don't worry! We are going to break this down into small, easy-to-swallow pieces. By the end of these notes, you will know exactly how to use this versatile tool to make your writing and speaking much more descriptive.
What are we learning?
A to-infinitive is simply the most basic form of a verb, with the word "to" placed right in front of it.
The basic formula looks like this: \( to + base \text{ } verb \).
Why does it matter?
We use to-infinitives every day to talk about our goals, our feelings, and our plans. Imagine trying to say "I want to play" without the "to"—it just wouldn't work! Mastering this helps your English sound natural and clear.
Quick Review: What is a "Base Verb"?
Before we start, remember that a base verb is the "starting" version of a word. It has no endings like -ing, -ed, or -s.
• Base: eat (Correct!)
• Not base: eating, eaten, or eats (Try to avoid these when making a to-infinitive!)
1. Using To-infinitives After Certain Verbs
In English, some verbs are "best friends" with the to-infinitive. When you use one of these verbs, the next action usually needs to be in the to-infinitive form.
Common "Best Friend" Verbs:
• Want: I want to go home.
• Decide: She decided to study harder.
• Hope: We hope to win the match.
• Agree: They agreed to help us.
• Learn: He is learning to swim.
Memory Trick: The "Future Goal" Hint
Notice that many of these verbs (hope, want, plan, decide) are about things that haven't happened yet. If the main verb is looking toward the future, it often uses a to-infinitive!
Key Takeaway: When you see verbs about wishes, plans, or choices, think "to + verb"!
2. Expressing Purpose (The "Why" Rule)
This is one of the most common ways we use the to-infinitive. We use it to explain why someone is doing an action. It is a shorter way of saying "in order to".
Analogy: The "Bridge"
Think of the to-infinitive as a bridge that connects an action to its reason.
Examples:
• I went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. (Why did I go? To get water!)
• Sam saved his pocket money to buy a new game. (Why did he save? To buy a game!)
• She called her friend to ask for help with homework.
Quick Review Box:
Can you replace the "to" with "in order to"? If the sentence still makes sense, you are using a to-infinitive of purpose!
3. Using To-infinitives After Adjectives
We often use to-infinitives to follow adjectives (describing words) to give more information about a feeling or a situation.
The Pattern: \( Adjective + to + verb \)
Examples from Real Life:
• I am happy to meet you!
• It is difficult to understand this math problem.
• Are you ready to start the exam?
• This book is easy to read.
Did you know?
The phrase "Nice to meet you" is actually a to-infinitive structure! It's short for "It is nice to meet you."
Key Takeaway: If you describe a feeling (happy, sad, glad) or a quality (hard, easy, dangerous), use a to-infinitive to explain the action that goes with it.
4. The "It is..." Structure
Sometimes we use "It" as a placeholder at the start of a sentence to make a general statement. This is a very polite and formal way to write.
Step-by-Step Construction:
1. Start with "It is" (or "It was").
2. Add an adjective (like important, fun, or wrong).
3. Finish with the to-infinitive.
Examples:
• It is important to brush your teeth every day.
• It was fun to see the movie yesterday.
• It is healthy to exercise regularly.
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! Even native speakers make mistakes here. Keep an eye out for these "traps":
Mistake 1: Adding -ing
• Incorrect: I want to playing soccer.
• Correct: I want to play soccer. (Always use the base form!)
Mistake 2: Forgetting the "to"
• Incorrect: I hope see you soon.
• Correct: I hope to see you soon.
Mistake 3: Using "to" after "can" or "must"
• Incorrect: I can to swim.
• Correct: I can swim. (Words like can, must, should, and will are special—they never take "to"!)
Summary: Your To-infinitive Cheat Sheet
1. Structure: Always \( to + base \text{ } verb \).
2. After Verbs: Use after words like want, decide, hope, and promise.
3. For Purpose: Use it to answer the question "Why?".
4. After Adjectives: Use after words like happy, easy, and important.
5. No Endings: Never add -s, -ed, or -ing to the verb after "to"!
Great job! You have reached the end of the chapter. Practice using one to-infinitive in your next English diary entry or conversation, and you'll see how much more detail you can add to your sentences!