I want to learn.
I hope to succeed.
I promise to study
hard.
I try to get only “A”
grades!
I refuse to give up.
I plan to get to class
on time.
THE INFINITIVES
What Students Are Thinking
I decided not to study chemistry this year.
I decided to study English this year.
Form
An infinitive is to + base form of the verb.
Form the negative by placing not before the infinitive.
Infinitive
to + base form of the verb
Negative Infinitive
not + to + base form of the verb
I told her to go to bed.
I want to get a good grade in my English class.
Infinitives after Verbs 1
Certain verbs can be followed by an infinitive.
Infinitive
Examples: ask, advise, tell, want
Infinitive
He refuses to be uncomfortable
when studying.
Infinitives after Verbs 2
Some verbs can be followed directly by an infinitive.
Infinitive
Examples: begin, decide, fail, learn, plan, promise, refuse, seem, try
Infinitive
He is learning to spell correctly.
Infinitives after Objects 1
Some verbs need an object (noun or pronoun) before
the infinitive.
Infinitive
Examples: advise, allow, encourage, force, invite, remind, tell, warn
Object
InfinitiveObject
Our teacher advises them to take notes.
SheShe doesn’t allow students to do their
homework in class.
Infinitives after Objects 2
Some verbs need an object (noun or pronoun) before
the infinitive.
Infinitive
Examples: advise, allow, encourage, force, invite, remind, tell, warn
Object
InfinitiveObject
My teacher tells us to pay
attention.
She warns students not to cheat on
tests.
Complete the sentences with
infinitives and your own
information. Use objects where
needed.
Maria invited …
Maria invited me to go to a party with her.
1. I promised …
2. My mother plans …
3. Our teacher encourages …
4. My friends decided …
5. My father always tells …
Example:
Practice 1
He expected the teacher to give him
an “A.”
He expected to get an “A.”
Infinitives with or without objects
Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or an
object + infinitive.
Infinitive
Examples: ask, expect, help, need, want, would like
InfinitiveObjectObject
Form sentences with the verbs. Use
infinitives and use each verb twice: First
without an object, and then with an
object.
I expected to do well on the test.expect
need
help
would like
ask
1.
2.
3.
4.
Example:
My teacher expected me to do well on the test.
without object
with object
Practice 2
Form sentences with the verbs. Use
infinitives and use each verb twice: First
without an object, and then with an
object.
I expected to do well on the test.expect
need
help
would like
ask
1.
2.
3.
4.
Example:
My teacher expected me to do well on the test.
without object
with object
Practice 2

Infinitives basics

  • 1.
    I want tolearn. I hope to succeed. I promise to study hard. I try to get only “A” grades! I refuse to give up. I plan to get to class on time. THE INFINITIVES What Students Are Thinking
  • 2.
    I decided notto study chemistry this year. I decided to study English this year. Form An infinitive is to + base form of the verb. Form the negative by placing not before the infinitive. Infinitive to + base form of the verb Negative Infinitive not + to + base form of the verb
  • 3.
    I told herto go to bed. I want to get a good grade in my English class. Infinitives after Verbs 1 Certain verbs can be followed by an infinitive. Infinitive Examples: ask, advise, tell, want Infinitive
  • 4.
    He refuses tobe uncomfortable when studying. Infinitives after Verbs 2 Some verbs can be followed directly by an infinitive. Infinitive Examples: begin, decide, fail, learn, plan, promise, refuse, seem, try Infinitive He is learning to spell correctly.
  • 5.
    Infinitives after Objects1 Some verbs need an object (noun or pronoun) before the infinitive. Infinitive Examples: advise, allow, encourage, force, invite, remind, tell, warn Object InfinitiveObject Our teacher advises them to take notes. SheShe doesn’t allow students to do their homework in class.
  • 6.
    Infinitives after Objects2 Some verbs need an object (noun or pronoun) before the infinitive. Infinitive Examples: advise, allow, encourage, force, invite, remind, tell, warn Object InfinitiveObject My teacher tells us to pay attention. She warns students not to cheat on tests.
  • 7.
    Complete the sentenceswith infinitives and your own information. Use objects where needed. Maria invited … Maria invited me to go to a party with her. 1. I promised … 2. My mother plans … 3. Our teacher encourages … 4. My friends decided … 5. My father always tells … Example: Practice 1
  • 8.
    He expected theteacher to give him an “A.” He expected to get an “A.” Infinitives with or without objects Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or an object + infinitive. Infinitive Examples: ask, expect, help, need, want, would like InfinitiveObjectObject
  • 9.
    Form sentences withthe verbs. Use infinitives and use each verb twice: First without an object, and then with an object. I expected to do well on the test.expect need help would like ask 1. 2. 3. 4. Example: My teacher expected me to do well on the test. without object with object Practice 2
  • 10.
    Form sentences withthe verbs. Use infinitives and use each verb twice: First without an object, and then with an object. I expected to do well on the test.expect need help would like ask 1. 2. 3. 4. Example: My teacher expected me to do well on the test. without object with object Practice 2

Editor's Notes