The Infinitive.(Forms, Use, Functions)

Theory

The infinitive is a verbal form (a non-finite verb form) which consists of the base form of the verb with the particle "to". (to do, to go)

The infinitive names an action (to drive a car) or state (to be sick), but cannot show person, number, or mood. The infinitive has active and passive forms (to take; to be taken).
The infinitive can have a direct object (he plans to visit a museum) or a prepositional object (he wants to know about it) and can be modified by an adverb (he tried to walk slowly).

Forms of Infinitive:

The infinitive has the following active and passive forms: 
-simple (to write) - I asked him to write a report.
-continuous (to be writing) - He is supposed to be writing a report now.
-perfect (to have written) - He appears to have written a report already.
-perfect continuous (to have been writing) -  He seems to have been writing a report for two hours already.
-simple passive (to be written) - I expect his report to be written tomorrow.
-perfect passive (to have been written) - I expect his report to have been written by now.

Simple active and passive forms are the most common. Compound (analytical) forms of the infinitive are not used very often in general speech and writing. Appropriate tense forms are normally used instead of them. For example: He seems to have been writing a report for two hours already. – It seems that he has been writing a report for two hours already.

The use of the Infinitive for the expression of time:
The infinitive expresses time only relatively, i.e., in relation to the action expressed by the verb in the predicate.
The action indicated by the infinitive can be simultaneous with the action expressed by the verb in the predicate: he seemed to be sleeping; he is trying to work.
The action indicated by the infinitive can precede the action expressed by the verb in the predicate: the rain seems to have stopped; it is nice to have talked to you.
The action of the infinitive after the action of the verb in the predicate is understood from the context and meaning: he intends to do it tomorrow; the goods are to be delivered next week.

The use of the Bare Infinitive:
The word to is frequently used with an infinitive, but it is not an essential part or sign of it. When an infinitive is used without the marker to it is called a bare infinitive.

The bare infinitive is used:
1. after certain verbs like bid, let, make, see, hear, need, dare etc.
-I bade him go.
-Let him sit there.
-She made me cry.
-I heard him sing a lovely song

2. after the modal verbs will, would, shall, should, may, might, can, could and must.
-I will wait
-I can speak
-You should go

3. after had better, would rather, sooner than and rather than

But there are structures where to-infinitive and the bare infinitive are both possible. Expressions with do or did, such as what I've done or all I did can follow either pattern.
- I hate shopping so what I've done is (to) order a new computer over the Internet.
- All I did was (to) suggest that she should lend him no more money. I didn't insist on it.

Syntactical functions of the Infinitive:
The Infinitive can function as:
1. a part of the compound verbal predicate - she can drive.
2. a part of the compound nominal predicate - his aim is to help you.
3. the subject of the sentence - to quit now is a mistake.
4. an object - he likes to dance.
5. an attribute - he has no desire to see them.
6. an adverbial modifier of purpose - he came here to study.
7. an adverbial modifier of consequence - he was too tired to go out.

Practice

Elementary

Ex 1 - Choose the correct form (infinitive with or without to).
Ex.2 - Choose and fill in the correct form of the verbs (infinitive with or without to).
Ex.3 - Drag over the sentences into the necessary area.
Ex.4 - Drag over the verbs into the necessary area.
Ex. 5 - Drag the ball to the right or left grey box, whichever is appropriate.

Ex. 6 - Choose the best answer.
Ex. 7 - Fill in the gerund in the first gap and the to-infinitive in the second. If a form is not allowed, mark the gap with "#".
Ex. 8 - Mix and then match.
Ex. 9 - Put in the verbs in brackets in the Gerund or the infinitive.
Ex. 10 -  For each sentence, choose the best word or phrase to complete the gap from the choices below.
Ex. 11 - Choose the correct answer.
Ex. 12 - Fill in the correct infinitive forms to the given verb forms. Do not use the to.

Intermediate:

Ex.1 - Quiz.

Ex. 2 - Quiz.

Ex 3 - Choose the correct answer.

Ex 4 - Choose the correct answer.

Ex 5 - Transform the direct speech into infinitive constructions.
Ex. 6 - Test.
Ex. 7 - Complete with infinitive, bare infinitive or gerund.
Ex. 8 - Chose the correct variant.
Ex. 9 - Quiz.
Ex. 10 - Choose the most appropriate answer.
Ex. 11 - Choose the correct answer.


Advanced:

Ex.1 - Choose the correct answer.
Ex.2 - Choose the best answer.
Ex. 3 - Quiz (consists of 3 parts).
Ex. 4 - Quiz.
Ex.5 - Put in the correct form.
Ex.6 - Quiz.
Ex.7 - Choose the correct answer.
Ex. 8 - Choose the correct answer.
Ex.9 - Choose the correct answer.
Ex.10 - Change the verb in brackets into the correct form.


Test - The Infinitive - level: Upper-Intermediate/Advanced.
Ответы для проверки.