An infinitive= to + the simple form of a verb.(to see)

USES OF THE INFINITIVE

A

The infinitive may be used alone.

We began to walk.

The infinitive may be used as part of an infinitive phrase.

We began to walk down the road.

B

The infinitive may be the subject of a sentence.

1The infinitive or an infinitive phrase can be the subject of the verbs:appear,be,seem,requireThe infinitive can be placed first:

1To lean out of the window is dangerous.

To save money now seems impossible.

2But it is more usual to place the pronoun it first,and move the infinitive or infinitive phrase to the end of the sentence:

2It is dangerous to lean out of the window.

It seemed impossible to save money.

2It here is known as the introductory it.Note its use with interrogatives:

Will it be safe to camp here?The it construction is necessary here.Will +to camp is not posible.

To play the piano well requires a good sense of music.

To go on a trip is very relaxing.

In modern usage, it is more common to begin the sentence with “it”.

e.g. It requires a good sense of music to play the piano well. It is very relaxing to go on a trip. It is very important for students to

study hard.

3Usually infinitive construction of this type consist of

it + be + adjective + infinitive.

3But sometimes a noun can be used instead

of an adjective:

It is a crime/a mistake to cut down any more trees.

CThe infinitive may be the complement of a verb:

His plan is to keep the affair secret.

My aim is to teach you English.

DThe infinitive may be the object or part of the object of a verb.

D

It can follow the verb directly:He wants to pay.

I hope to see her soon. Tom decided to sell his car. She hopes to win the lottery.He decided to join the English Club at

school.

DIt can follow verb + object:He wants me to pay.

. Peter asked me to take his sister home. Mother advised Tom to think carefully before he

made his decision.

The teacher did not allow students to shout in class.

DIt can follow verb + how,what etc.

Can you tell me how to get to the station? I don’t know when to answer his letter.

to-infinitives can be used with question words like HOW , WHERE , WHAT and WHEN.

e.g. I asked him how to get to the railway station. We are discussing where to go for our holidays.

Please tell me when to take the cake out of the oven.

E

The infinitive can express purpose.

E

I am saving some money to study abroad.

•Comes after the main verb…... He went to buy a car.

Main verb infinitive

I went to open the door.

FThe infinitive can be used after certain adjectives:

Fangry,glad,happy,sorry,glad,lucky,prepared,pleased,determined,ready,surprised,

nice,impossible

FWe were sorry to hear the bad news.

We are sorry to hear of your father’s death.

FI am glad to meet you.I am pleased to meet you.I am happy to see you again.I am lucky to be here.I am ready to go.

KThe infinitive can be used with too/enoughIt's too early to leave the party.

You are too young to go out late at night.

He's rich enough to afford a Porsche.

I’m strong enough to live without you.

as adjective

I have a lot of work to do tomorrow.

cost/take + object can also be used:

It costs millions to rebuild the castle.

It takes years to rebuild the castle.

VERB + INFINITIVEWant to would like to promise toDecide to refuse to plan to expect

to

VERB + (PRO)NOUN +INFINITIVETell someone to want someone toWould like someone to allow

someone toexpect someone to force

someone toremind someone to

GERUND

THE GERUND AS SUBJECT

It is easier to read French than to speak it.

or

Reading French is easier than speaking it.

GERUNDS AFTER PREPOSITIONS

When a verb is placed immediately after a preposition the gerund must be used:What can you do besides typing?

Touch your toes without bending your knees.He is good at swimming.I am too afraid of losing you.I am tired of arguing.After swimming I felt cold.What about leaving it here and collecting it

later.

VERBS FOLLOVED BY GERUNDS

VERB + GERUNDenjoy avoid quit

mind suggestdiscuss stop

stop + infinitive of purpose

VERB + GERUND OR INFINITIVEWITH NO DIFFERENCE IN MEANING

begin startlike hatelove prefer

VERB + GERUND OR INFINITIVEWITH A DIFFERENCE IN MEANING

RememberforgetRegret try

DERS KİTABINDAKİ FİİLLER