"Infinitive" is the basic form of the verb. Forms in tables, use with examples

To form many constructions an infinitive is used. It is a verb that can act as a subject, complement, complement, second complement, definition or attribute. He can stand either in an active voice or in a passive voice. In addition, it takes a passive meaning not lexically, but purely logically. So, the infinitive - what is this? Below are examples of use with examples and translations. But take into account that the translation does not reflect the essence and logic of the English syntax, and in some cases can be confusing.

First we will understand some terms

• Bare Infinitive - basic infinitive, or basic form (basic form).
• To-infinitive is a 'to'-infinitive, or simply an infinitive. The basic form with the particle 'to'.
• Transitive / Intransitive verb is a transitive / intransitive verb. The action of the transitional can extend to another verb, and it can not be considered proper semantic.
• Complement - complement, the semantic part of the compound verb-predicate.
• Predicative expression is a predicate, the nominal part of a compound nominal predicate.
• Subject - the subject, the main argument of the predicate, which is usually called the subject in Russian syntax.
• Object is an object, a secondary argument to the predicate, which in Russian grammar is usually referred to as an addition.
• Attribute - a sign of a noun, which in Russian grammar is called a definition.
• Modifier - a sign, that is, a sign in a broader sense. A word that modifies another word.
• Participle I, or Present Participle - participle I or present participle (one of the forms of the verb).
• Participle II, or Past Participle - participle II or the past participle (one of the forms of the verb).
• Elleptic sentence is a short sentence, in which some members are omitted. The omitted terms can be grammatically restored in the sentence, that is, the syntax is correct, but not fully mapped. The implied order of words corresponds to the rules.

Forms

Infinitive has 8 forms, corresponding to four aspects - indefinite, lasting, completed, completed, continuing and two pledges - active and passive. An undefined aspect of active voice is considered to be a simple form.

The use of the infinitive without 'to' (the basic form, bare infinitive)

The basic infinitive is the verb that is indicated in the first column of the table of irregular verbs.

Supplements the meaningless verb 'do' in denials, questions and other variants of 'do'-support.

Do you want to go home?

Please do not laugh./Please do not laugh.

Complement will (shall) and would (should) in future time and conditional constructions.

The cat will come home. The cat will come home.

We should appreciate an answer at your earliest convenience. We must recognize the answer as your initial benefit.

In a more general sense, the basic infinitive is the extension of any modal (can, could, should, would, would, would, etc.) and semi-modal verbs dare and need.

I can speak Swedish./I can speak Swedish.

Do you really need to use so many colors?

I dare say that he will return.

After had better.

You had better give back that telephone. It would be better if you could return this phone.

As the second compliment of the verbs let, let's, make, have, referring to the first (addition).

That made me laugh./ It made me laugh. Compare with I was made to laugh / I was amused where to-infinitive is used.

We let them leave./We let them go.

Let's play Monopoly! / Let's play a monopoly!

I looked at my car.

Like the second or only verb help.

This proposal will help (to) balance the budget. / This step will help to align the budget.

/ Will you help me to get over this wall?

Being the second compliment of verbs of perception such as see, hear, feel, etc., can be used and in the present indefinite time, but if it is not an event but a general order of things.

We saw him try to escape.

She felt his breath on her cheek.

Performs the function of the nominal part of the predicate in pseudo-split sentences.

What I did was tie the rope to the beam.

What you need to do is invite her to dinner.

After the verb why in short sentences.

Why bother? / Why so gloomy?

The use of the infinitive

'To'-infinitive is the form used to quote English verbs.

/ How do we conjugate the verb "to go"?

To translate foreign verbs.

The French word boire means 'to drink'.

As an extension of the modal and semi-modal verbs ought (to) and used (to).

We ought to do that now. / We must do it now.

I played outside every day when I was a child.

As a continuation of many other transitive verbs, including need, dare, want, expect, try, hope, agree, refuse, etc. In this case, they usually appeal to the subject, or to the logical subject.

I need to get to the phone.

Try not to make so many mistakes. / Try not to make so many mistakes.

They refused to assist us./ They refused to serve us.

In the position of secondary continuation of transitive verbs. Here they usually appeal to the addition or logical addition.

I want him to be promoted. I want his promotion.

He is waiting for his brother next week.

As a circumstance expressing the purpose, purpose or some effect and result.

I'm here to listen to what you say.

They cut off the defense to get to the site.

She scored three quick goals to level the score. She scored three fast goals and increased the gap.

Sometimes an infinitive is a subject or predicate.

To live is to suffer. To live means to suffer.

For them to be with us in this difficult time means to testify their friendship.

As a logical substitution (over-disclosure) of the fictitious subject it.

It's great to live here.

Feeding my animals makes me happy.

Separately, in some exclamations and well-established word combinations (idiomatic turns), where it affects the quality of the whole sentence as a whole, that is, it plays the role of an introductory construction.

Oh, to be in England ... Oh, in England ...

To think that he was calling me sister.

To be honest, I do not think you have a chance./ If honestly, I do not think you have a chance.

In some other well-established expressions, such as in order to, so as to, as, if to, about, have, to, am, to, were to.

We are going to demolish this building. / We are going to demolish this building.

He smiled, as if he had recognized his consent.

In short sentences where the subject is not observed, because it is present in the general context, or is implied (except for the constructions with why).

Well, what to do now? / So, now what?

I'm thinking of giving up, if this is the case.

Performing the function of determining for certain nouns and adjectives (he reason to laugh, the effort to expand, anxious to get a ticket):

- the effort to expand / measures to improve,

Eager to get a ticket.

As a relative grammatical basis , an infinitive can also be used. What does it mean? That is, it is a basis in which part of the subject is expressed by a fictitious element or is implied, while the other part logically duplicates it, but is located after the predicate; Often depends on the noun, and therefore in a semantic sense usually has common features with a passive voice:

- the thing to leave behind (the thing is left behind);

- a subject to talk loudly about / a subject spoken about aloud (a subject is understood as an addition about);

(A variation of the previous example, somewhat more formal);

- the man for save us (not a passive construct, the man is understood as a subject to save).

As a sign of the adjective, as in the case of a noun, it has a shade of passivity:

- easy to use / easy to use;

Nice to look at.

Split Infinitive (cleft Infinitive or split Infinitive)

The infinitive is (in English) the verb with the particle 'to'. Between the particle and the verb, an adverb can be written, in this case it is called cleft Infinitive.

To boldly go where courageously to go where the human foot has not set foot.

The population is expected to more than double.

Not all theories of linguistics consider such use to be correct. However, this is universally used in speech and writing, and can often be found in the works of classical literature. And since language is what people use, and not what is prescribed in books, it can be considered that split infinitives deserve the right to exist. Of course, there is no need to elevate any established manifestation of illiteracy to the official status. Nevertheless, one must remember that dictionaries and textbooks are rewritten over time, when natural progress in language can not be ignored.