Page 82 - New Grammar with a Smile 8

There are three types of non-finite verbs:
1. Infinitive 2. Gerund 3. Participle

Let us study these three types of non-finite verbs.

Infinitive

Form

♦ The infinitive is the base form of a verb, preceded by to.
For example,

• I want to meet him.
• She likes to sing.
• We have to go now.

♦ After certain verbs such as feel, hear, help, let, make, see and watch, the
infinitive is used without to. Such a construction is called a bare infinitive.
For example,
• Let the boy speak.

• They watched the snake climb the wall.
• We heard her sing.
• Help me open the bottle.

♦ After modal auxiliaries such as must, shall, will, should, would, may, could,
must, need and dare, the infinitive is used without to. For example,
• You shall speak now.

• I must speak now.
• You need not go.
• He dare not refuse.

♦ After some prepositions such as except, but, save and than, the infinitive is used
without to. For example,
• The maid can do all the household chores but cook.

• The baby did nothing except cry.

Function

The infinitive can act as the subject to a verb, the direct object to a transitive verb,
the complement to a verb and the object of a preposition. For example,
• To act is not the same thing as to react. (subject of the verb is)
• Jacob loves to sleep. (direct object of the transitive verb loves)

• The alien appears to understand us. (subject complement of the verb appears)

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