1. Form
The infinitive is the base form of a verb. It may be preceded by 'to' (the to-infinitive) or stand alone (the base or zero infinitive).
2. Infinitive with or without 'to'
The to-infinitive is used:
- After certain verbs. e.g. want, wish, agree, fail, mean, decide, learn
- After the auxiliaries to be to, to have to, & ought to
- In the pattern 'it is + adjective + to-infinitive'
Functions of the Zero Infinitive
The Zero Infinitive After Auxiliaries
Examples
- She can't speak to you.
- He should give her some money.
- Shall I talk to him?
- Would you like a cup of coffee?
- I might stay another night in the hotel.
- They must leave before 10.00 a.m.
The Zero Infinitive After Verbs of Perception
With verbs of perception, the pattern is verb + object + zero infinitive.
Examples
- He saw her fall from the cliff.
- We heard them close the door.
- They saw us walk toward the lake.
- She felt the spider crawl up her leg.
The Zero Infinitive After the Verbs 'make' and 'let'
Examples
- Her parents let her stay out late.
- Let's go to the cinema tonight.
- You made me come with you.
- Don't make me study that boring grammar book!
The Zero Infinitive After the Expression 'had Better'
Examples
- We had better take some warm clothing.
- She had better ask him not to come.
- We had better reserve a room in the hotel.
- You'd better give me your address.
- They had better work harder on their homework.
The Zero Infinitive with "why"
The question word why is followed by the zero infinitive when making suggestions.
Examples
- Why wait until tomorrow?
- Why not ask him now?
- Why leave before the end of the game?
- Why walk when we can go in the car?
- Why not buy a new bed?
Examples
with 'to'
- The elephant decided to marry the mouse
- The mouse agreed to marry the elephant
- You will have to ask her
- You are to leave immediately
- He ought to relax
- She has to go to Berlin next week
- It's easy to speak English
- It is hard to change jobs after twenty years
- It's stupid to believe everything you hear
without 'to'
- I would rather visit Rome.
- She would rather live in Italy.
- Would you rather eat steak or fish?
- He would rather work in a bank.
- I'd rather be a forest than a tree.