The Non-Finite Forms of the Verb (The Verbals)

There are three verbals in English: the Infinitive, the Gerund and the Participle.

The Infinitive

	Active	Passive
Simple	to do	to be done
Continuous	to be doing	----------
Perfect	to have done	to have been done
Perfect Continuous	to have been doing	---------

Infinitive without Particle to

Bare Infinitive

Rules	Examples
Bare infinitive is used: 1. after auxiliaries and modal verbs except ought, have, be, be able	Do you knowwhat time it is now? You must come and see us one day. You ought to have come earlier.
2. after the verbs denoting sense perception such as to hear, to see, to feel, to watch, to observe, to notice, etc.in the active voice.	I saw him enter the shop. But: He wasseen to enter the shop.
3. after the verbs to let, to make, to have (in the meaning to get), to know (in the meaning to see /to observe) in the active voice.	Don’t let the children annoy you. She made me do this test again. I’ll have an electrician repair it. Ihave so often known a change of medicine work wonders. She made me do this exercise again. But: I was made to stand in the corner.
4. after modal expression had better, cannot but, would rather, nothing but, would sooner, cannot choose but.	I’d rather be told the truth. You’d better not make a mistake next time. He couldn’t but go there.
5. in infinitive sentences beginning with why (not)	Why not cook fish tonight? You look tired. Why not take a holiday?
6. we use both bare infinitive and to-infinitive forms after the verbs need, dare, doandhelp. (Bare infinitive is preferable after positive forms and needn’t. To-infinitive after doesn’t/don’t need, dare not and help not)	You needn’t do this washing up. You don’t need to clean the floor. Does he dare (to) refuse you? All I did was (to) give him the information. Mother helped me (to) domy homework. How can I help my children not to worry about their exams?

Omitted to

  We can join ideas with and, except, but and or. The particle to is usually dropped before the second infinitive. She wanted to go and *seethe film. He wanted to do everything except *study for his exams. She didn’t know whether to laugh or (to) *cry. Note: When two infinitives are joined by and, the second is almost always a bare infinitive. When they are joined by but or or, a to-infinitive is possible, but a bare infinitive is more common.

Reduced Infinitive

Sometimes the whole infinitive needs not to be repeated if it is understood from the context. A: Can you and Mary come to lunch next Sunday? - B: I’d love to. A: Can I smoke in here - B: No, you aren’tallowed to. A: Why aren’t you coming to the film? - B: I don’t wantto.

Practice

Ex.1. Use the correct form of the infinitive of the verb in brackets.

1. Robert hopes (select) to play in next week’s football match. 2. Sue and Richard are always arguing. They seem (have) a few problems. 3. I sent my suit (dry-clean). 4. I’m sorry (disturb) you, but could you tell me the time? 5. It is ever so kind of you (send) all those lovely flowers when I was ill. 6. If he is seriously ill, his wife wants (tell) immediately. 7. The money for charity is supposed (raise) by the organisers of the party. 8. The police are looking for a missing boy. He is believed (wear) a white pullover and blue jeans. 9. Everything is just the way it used (be). Nothing seems (change). 10. When we got to the airport, we found all the flights (cancel) that day. 11. I meant (telephone), but I forgot. 12. You were silly (not lock) your car. 13. Why is she so late? – She can still (work). 14. You should (tell) us you were coming. 15. I’m sorry (not come) last Thursday. 16. If you go out like that you’re certain (recognise) sooner or later. 17. We hope (finish) the job by next Saturday. 18. I would (go) to university if my parents had had more money. 19. Well, I am not sorry (miss) that train. I should not have met you otherwise. 20. There were always four little boys (pick up) balls and at least three dozen balls (pick up). 21. She is known (refuse) better offers than that.

Ex.2. Choose the proper variant.

1. Schools should make pupils wear/towear uniform. 2. Parents should force their children take/to take regular exercise. 3. Young girls shouldn’t be allowed wear/to wear make up. 4. Teachers shouldn’t let their students eat/to eat in class. 5. Parents should co-operate with schools and force their children do/to do their homework. 6. Schools should make all pupils do/to do sports. 7. Parents should never allow their children go/to go on holiday with friends unaccompanied. 8. Parents are right to let their children wear/to wear what they want at weekends. 9. Parents are right to forbid their children go/to go out the evenings during the week. 10. Parents should not make their children study/to study on Sundays.

Ex.3. Insert to where necessary before the infinitives in brackets.

1.Will you help me (move) the bookcase? 2. You needn’t (say) anything. Just nod your head and he will understand. 3. They won’t let us (leave) the Customs shed till our luggage has been examined. 4. He would sooner (die) than (betray) his friends. 5. Why not (start) out right now? 6. Have you ever heard him (complain) of difficulties? 7. He was never heard (complain) of difficulties. 8. Don’t let us (waste) time. There are hundreds of things (be done) 9. I have never known him (do) such things. 10. He was made (do) his work independently. 11. I know him (have been) an actor once. 12. There is hardly anything (do) but (work) out an alternative plan. 13. I’d like him (go) to a university but I can’t (make) him (go). 14. You can (take) a horse to water but you can’t (make) him (drink). 15. I’m sorry (disappoint) you but I can’t (let) you (have) any more money till the end of the month. 16. He was made (sign) a paper admitting his guilt. 17. He tried (make) me (believe) that he was my stepbrother. 18. I felt the house (shake) with the explosion. 19. It is better (be) sure than sorry. 20. There is nothing (do) but (wait) till somebody comes (let) us out. 21. The American said he had seen nine presidents (come) and (go). He must (be) a very old man. 22. Would you rather (be) more stupid than you look or (look) more stupid than you are? 23. The bank robbers made the cashier (show) them how (open) the safe. 24. Before he let us (go) he made us (promise) (not tell) anyone what we had seen. 25. How dare you (open) my letters! 26. Why (leave) so early? 27. The chairman was heard (second) his proposal. 28. I need scarcely (tell) you that I’m in trouble.

Infinitive Constructions

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