Page 83 - New Grammar with a Smile 7
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The infinitive is made up of the particle to and the base form of a verb.
For example, to study, to learn, to play, to walk.
Uses
We use the infinitive
1. to express purpose. For example,
y I went to the mall to meet my friend.
y She suddenly got up and rushed to post the letter.
2. as the subject of a sentence. For example,
y To go to the picnic or not, is what I am wondering about.
y To visit Greece is my lifelong dream.
3. after the direct object. For example,
y I advised him to work hard.
y She called me to enquire about a recipe.
4. to make a judgement or comment about Note
someone or something. For example, After modal auxiliaries like ‘shall’,
y It is the right way to behave. ‘will’, ‘would’, ‘should’, ‘may’, ‘might’,
y That is a dangerous thing to do. ‘must’, ‘can’, ‘could’, we use the
5. to complete the meaning of the verb. For infinitive without to. For example,
example, • You shall go back to hostel
tomorrow.
y He agreed to help me. • Amita can sing.
y I need something to drink.
• You should complete your
6. after adjectives. For example, homework first.
y It is important to be happy. The infinitve is used without to after
y The puppy is too naughty not the following verbs as well—‘see’,
to destroy the cushions. ‘feel’, ‘hear’, ‘bid’, ‘let’, ‘make’, ‘dare’,
‘need’, ‘watch’, ‘know’. For example,
7. with question words. For example, • She made me sing on her birthday.
y I do not know where to buy it from. • Supriya saw him leave the house.
y Tell me when to come to your place. • Bid her come here at once.
Participles
The participle has two forms—present participle and past participle.
1. Present participles: The present participle is the ing form of the verb.
For example,
y We had to sit through that boring lecture.
y The puppy came running towards me.
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