Infinitives


Infinitives are defined as to + base form of the verb. They have several functions.

1. Used as subjects and subject complements.

To know me is to love me.

To live in Hawaii is my lifetime dream.

2. Used as objects following certain verbs*.

I wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your gift.

He hesitated to ask the embarrassing question.

3. Used as a shortened form of in order to.

You must take this medicine (in order) to get well.

I went to the bank to cash a check.

Infinitives can sometimes take objects of their own.

    We hope to find the person who did this.

    I was asked to make a dessert for the potluck dinner.

*These verbs are commonly followed by infinitives.

    afford
    beg
    decide
    forget
    intend
    mean
    prepare
    seem
    threaten
    agree
    begin
    demand
    go
    know how
    need
    pretend
    start
    try
    appear
    care
    deserve
    happen
    learn
    neglect
    promise
    stop
    volunteer
    arrange
    choose
    desire
    hate
    like
    offer
    refuse
    struggle
    wait
    ask
    claim
    expect
    hesitate
    love
    plan
    regret
    swear
    want
    attempt
    consent
    fail
    hope
    manage
    prefer
    remember
    tend
    wish
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Comments (1)Add Comment
great confusion
written by sonia verma, September 24, 2008
oooohhhhhhh ! what is the basic difference between gerunds and infinitives??????
plz reply atleast.....i like going out and i like to go out. if both are correct then what the basic difference is.

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