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Infinitives

This document discusses finite and non-finite verbs. It defines a finite verb as one that changes based on subject, number, and tense, while a non-finite verb does not change. It then focuses on infinitives, describing them as verb forms used as nouns or modifiers. It provides examples of different types of infinitives like full/absolute infinitives and bare infinitives. It also lists several common uses of infinitives, such as after modal verbs or as subjects or objects.

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namat ullah
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286 views25 pages

Infinitives

This document discusses finite and non-finite verbs. It defines a finite verb as one that changes based on subject, number, and tense, while a non-finite verb does not change. It then focuses on infinitives, describing them as verb forms used as nouns or modifiers. It provides examples of different types of infinitives like full/absolute infinitives and bare infinitives. It also lists several common uses of infinitives, such as after modal verbs or as subjects or objects.

Uploaded by

namat ullah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Gerunds and

Infinitives
Prepared By: Nasratullah Noorzai
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0789047917
Verb
Finite Verb Non Finite Verb
 Finite Verb:
 Is a verb which is used according to the subject
and tense.
 is a verb which is limited to the subject, number
and tense.
Note: It means when the subject, number or tense
change, the verb changes, too.
Examples:
Wakeel washes the dishes.
They wash the dishes.
I washed the dishes.
A student has entered the room.
2 students have entered the room.
Non-Finite Verb
 Is a verb which does not change
according to the subject or tense.
 is a verb which is not limited to the subject,
number and tense.
Note: It means when the subject, number or
tense change, the verb does not change.
Examples:
I want to go to school.
Hungama wants to go to school.
They wanted to go to the school.
He likes studying books.
They liked studying books.
Verbal:
Verb forms that are used as nouns or modifiers.
 Gerunds
 Infinitives
 Participles

Infinitive is a form of main verb which is not limited with any changes of a
subject and tense of a sentence.
Example: He likes to speak Spanish fluently.
They like to speak Spanish fluently. (Subject Change)
He liked to speak Spanish fluently. (Tense Change)
Infinitive:
 It
is derived from a Latin word “Infinitivus” which
means unlimited.
 Definition: To + Base form of the verb or
only base form of the verb that functions as
a noun is called Infinitive.
 Note: It is also called Verbal Noun. To is called
an Infinitive Marker when it is used before base
form of the verb, but it is a preposition when it is
used before gerund or noun.
Example:
To play cricket is interesting.
I can perform prayer.
Infinitive

To wash the car is a big problem.


To swim in the ocean can be dangerous.
To drive fast is risky.
Kinds of Infinitives
 Full/Absolute/Noun infinitive
 Bare/plain infinitive
 Split infinitive
 Abridge Infinitive

5.Infinitive of Purpose: (In order + to + base form of verb)


Ex: I came here in order to study. I came here to study.
6.Complex Infinitive: (infinitive + infinitive)
Ex: He wants to go to take admission there.
She should learn to get a good job.
Absolute Infinitive

To+ verb is called Absolute Infinitive.

Examples:
To save money is difficult now.
To study English is easy.
Bare Infinitive

Only base form of the verb is called Bare Infinitive.

Examples:
Meena can cook rice.
I make him study hard.
Split Infinitive
 When (to+ verb) is separated by an adverb is
called Split Infinitive.
 This kind of infinitive is formed by To + Adverb +
Base form of the verb for the sake of emphasis.

Ex: Ahmad likes to really learn English.


She wants to slowly talk on the phone.
I like to quickly tell the truth.
Abridge Infinitive

 When the marker to is used alone and the verb is


implied is called Abridge Infinitive.

Example:
Do you want to play soccer?
I would like to (play).
Uses of Full Infinitives
1. As a subject of a verb.
Examples:
To play soccer is fun.
To know it is wonderful.
To respect elders is our major duty.
Subject
2. As an object of a verb.
Examples:
We want to finish the class.
Object
She likes to play soccer.
I want to get married.
3. As an object of preposition.
Note: It is used after two prepositions, Except and But.
We have no choice but to study our lessons.
Object
Ex: He could not do anything except to cheat his parents.
Object
Rubina is about to laugh.
Meena is about to come.
The students are about to learn Infinitive.
4. As a complement of (to be)
Examples:
Her hobby is to play games.
What I love is to see her alone.
My plan is to go to America.
Comp
5. As a verb of an object. ( object complement)
Examples:
She wants him to call her.
I saw her teach in the class.
6. As a qualifier of a verb.
Examples:
She comes to learn.
I went to see my folks in Pakistan.
7.As a qualifier of a noun (as an adjective)
Examples:
It is his ability to solve the problems.
It is time to earn money.

8. As a qualifier of an adjective (as an adverb)


Examples:
We are glad to see each other.
It is nice to call her on the spot.
10. After IT+BE+ADJ
It is easy to learn English.
It is interesting to go shopping.
It is important to learn all the lessons.
11. After a noun.
I need a book to study. She has a problem to slove.
I have a work to do.
12. After a WH-word.
I know how to speak English.
He knows when to come.
13. After some verbs.
Agree: They agreed to help us.
Ask: He asked to come with us.
Decide: I have decided to leave on Monday.
Expect: I expect to enter graduate school in the fall.
Hope: Jack hopes to arrive next week.
Need: I need to have your opinion?
Promise: I promise not to be late.
Want: I want to tell you something.
Continue, expect, learn, love, plan, refuse, try and
wish.
Infinitive of Purpose
Whenever we talk about purpose we use (in order to)

Example: We eat in order to live.


We eat to live.
We eat for live. (Incorrect)

Note: (To) in the contraction form of in order to.


Infinitives with too and enough
Examples:

The weather is too hot to play soccer.

The weather is very hot, but we can play soccer.

The class is big enough to study in it.

The class has students enough to take exam.

The class has enough students to take exam.


VERBS FOLLOWED BY
A (PRO)NOUN + AN INFINITIVE
Advise: She advised me to wait until tomorrow.
Allow: She allowed me to use her car.
Ask: I asked John to help us.
Cause: Her laziness caused her to fail.
Encourage: He encouraged me to try again.
Expect: I expect you to be on time.
Need: We needed Chris to help us figure out the solution.
Tell: The doctor told me to take these pills.
Want: I want you to be happy.

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