How to use Infinitives with 'To'
Welcome to our comprehensive lesson on the versatile 'to' infinitive in English grammar! Today, picture yourself in a classroom with me as your English teacher, guiding you step by step through this fascinating topic.
1. Infinitive as the Subject of a Verb:
Let's start with their role as sentence subjects. Sometimes, infinitives serve as the subject, expressing general truths or principles. For instance, 'To err is human; to forgive is divine.'
2. Infinitive as the Object of a Transitive Verb:
Next, infinitives act as the object of a transitive verb, where an action is directed toward something. Consider 'Prakash wants to teach' or 'She likes to learn English.'
3. Infinitive as the Complement of a Verb:
Infinitives function as a complement of a verb, providing more information about the action. For instance, 'They are to sell their home' or 'To see is to believe.'
4. Infinitive as an Object of a Preposition:
Sometimes, infinitives follow prepositions in sentences, such as 'Prakash is about to start teaching' or 'She had no choice but to accept the proposal.'
5. Infinitive as an Adjective to Qualify a Noun:
Infinitives can also serve as adjectives to describe nouns, as in 'I have enough money to buy' or 'He is a man to be admired.'
6. Infinitive as an Adverb to Qualify an Adjective:
Infinitives function as adverbs to modify adjectives, like 'It is difficult to solve the sum' or 'They were too ill to attend the party.'
7. Infinitive to Qualify a Sentence:
Infinitives can qualify entire sentences, offering additional context. For example, 'To be honest, they are not going to teach English' or 'To tell the truth, he quite forgot his promise.'
8. Infinitive After Specific Verbs (List of Verbs):
Lastly, we provided a list of verbs often followed by infinitives with 'to.' For instance, 'Prakash endeavored to help them' or 'She hesitates to dance here.'
In summary, infinitives with 'to' are grammar gems that can function in various roles within sentences. Mastery of their correct usage will undoubtedly enhance your language skills. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be an expert at using infinitives with 'to' in English!
