Questions tagged [infinitives]
The infinitive is the base verb form, conveying no information about person, number, mood or tense.
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The difference between “go to shop” and “ go shopping”
I've been stuck thinking this for a while. Would anyone explain me the difference between "go to shop" and "go shopping".
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2answers
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“to go on picnic” vs “going on picnic”
In this sentence:
A friend of mine likes ________ on picnic at weekends.
Is it "to go" or "going"?
I reckon to + verb is usually used for a habit or preference.
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when I need to omit the rest part of infinitive,but keeping “to”
A: Are you going to watch the football match this afternoon?
B1: I'd like to, but
B2: I'd like, but
B3: I'd like to watch, but
which answer is correct? Is there any Grammar here?
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1answer
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“I saw him TAKE it” and “I thought he KNEW it”?
I'm confused by the use of these two tenses "I saw him TAKE it" and "I thought he KNEW it" Why I saw him + infinity form verb but I thought he + past tense??
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Is it idiomatic to use an infinitive after gerund?
for example:
1.stop trying to impress others
2.stop trying to please everyone
Can we use an infinitive after gerund?
Is it grammatically normal?
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1answer
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Which one to use in an enumeration, to-infinitives, bare infinitives, or gerunds?
I am writing a summary paper about a report I read with this sentence in it:
This report follows two steps: determine the population density increase and analyze the productivity growth influenced ...
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1answer
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would rather have v3 than v3 or would rather have v3 than vinf
What would be the correct structure for "would rather...than..." in past aspect?
1.) would rather have v3 than v3
ex. He would rather have gone out than stayed.
2.) would rather have v3 than ...
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1answer
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When should we use “Perfect infinitive” instead of “infinitive” in passive voice?
I was doing exercises from great blue textbook when I met the difficult one. Please, explain me the difference between usage infinitive and present infinitive in passive voice.
Foe example:
Do you ...
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1answer
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Use of infinitives in noun phrases
I know that we can use to-infinitives in a noun phrase outside a dependent clause, but can we use another type of infinitives, such as a bare infinitive? I can't think of any example for bare ...
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4answers
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Do we have to use “to-infinitive” just after a noun?
In such a conversation, is the sentence with "*" wrong?
Many people in Athens had time to get away from the fire, but, to save their children, they didn't have any time.
Do you think that the part ...
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1answer
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it is (of) no use V-ing / to V
I was told that "it is no use" is followed by a gerund, not an infinitive in current English. What about the "it is of no use"? Does it pattern in the same way?
Consider the following:
It is no use ...
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Does the verb need “to” in this sentence? [duplicate]
All that can do is [to] make us disappointed.
Is the "to" required for the above sentence?
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1answer
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Can we put infinitives at the beginning in order to emphasize them?
In order to emphasize the infinitive, can I change its position?
Example,
1-) Your brother has some opportunities to get a better education in the U.K, but to go to the U.S, he doesn't have any ...
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3answers
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Chinese people are trying to learn their babies' gender by looking at the calendar before they are born
My question is about the location of "before" and "by".
I am not sure which one should be close to "learn".
Chinese people are trying to learn their babies' gender by looking at the calendar ...
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2answers
31 views
These terms are important for me to work here happily
Can I use infinitive clauses in that way?
1-) These terms are important for me to work here happily.
2-) These terms are important to work here happily.(If it is obvious that I am talking ...
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1answer
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This is one of the hardest books in the world to understand
That's the original sentence.
This is one of the hardest books in the world to understand.
What do you think the function of "to understand" is ?
I think it is connected to a whole noun phrase "...
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2answers
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Preposition at the end of infinitives vs. no preposition
You need a pen to write.
You need a pen to write with.
Are there any differences between the two sentences above? Which is more commonly spoken?
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2answers
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The difference between some sentences with adjective+noun+to do smt/for
I was told that
"We are looking for an eager person to work for our company"
is not the same as
"We are looking for a person who is eager to work for our company"
, but the same as
"We ...
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2answers
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Why can we say “Enough money to do something” but not “a ready machine to do something”?
We can say:
I have enough money to go to Italy.
Which means:
I have money which is enough to go to Italy
But why does the following sentence not work?
I have a ready machine to run for 10 ...
2
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1answer
388 views
To see vs Seeing
It felt really nice seeing all the things fall together into place.
Vs
It felt really nice to see all the things fall together into place.
Is this just an infinite- gerund thing ?
Or are the ...
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0answers
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A usage of infinitive clause which doesn't refer to “a noun” and doesn't specify “a purpose”. What is that?
Today, I saw a different usage of infinitive clauses at the university and would like to ask you it in order to be familiar with that usage.(Examples from my professor)
There should be more than ...
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2answers
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That money is enough to donate to charity
I am not sure about which forms are correct.
That money is enough to donate to charity
That money is enough to donate it to charity
--
This car is very luxury to buy.
This car is very ...
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3answers
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Can we use infinitive clauses with prepositions at the end of them for a purpose?
Do they always have to be next to nouns?
Examples;
To talk about, We should find a topic.
To live lots of amazing moments with, I need some friends.
To study with, I will invite my friend ...
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0answers
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Some opportunities to get a better education exist
My English teachers said that changing the position of an infinitive may not change anything.
Example,
Some opportunities to get a better education exist.
Some opportunities exist to get a better ...
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2answers
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I am glad to be selected vs. I am glad to have been selected
When someone makes a speech about having been selected as an outstanding employee of the month, which is correct to say between "I am glad to be selected" and "I am glad to have been selected"? Thank ...
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1answer
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Can I use “Verb + Infinitive + Gerund”?
Can verb, infinitive, and gerund be used together? Especially in this sentence:
That book has helped me to overcome my struggling.
Helped + To overcome + Struggling
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1answer
364 views
Is this sentence correct? “I forgot to brought my money”
I forgot to brought my money.
I am an English teacher but I got stranded in this sentence. I know (or I least, I think) it’s more common to say:
I forgot to bring my money.
but I can’t explain ...
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2answers
67 views
What does the phrase “to be admired” mean here?
Tell me please what to be means there. Why did not the speaker just say and that is admired?
Wonder Woman has flaws.… It succeeds in spite of them, and that is to be admired, but we cannot start ...
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2answers
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Is “to” the better preposition than “for” in this sentence?
A sentence on this page strikes me as odd as I am checking dictionaries
‘An alien life form has arrived to earth and is jumping from body to body, killing everything in its path and stealing ...
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1answer
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infinitve and be verb
I wrote a letter to have our scheduled meeting be moved"
is "to have our scheduled meeting be moved" infinitive clause? what is meaning of "to have"?
why use "be moved"? is it passive voice?
thank ...
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1answer
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a jacket which is to be worn
Can one say
This is a jacket which is to wear in cold weather.
This is a jacket which is to be worn in cold weather.
This is a jacket which is for wearing in cold weather.
This is a jacket to wear in ...
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2answers
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Infinitive clause question query
"We try to be nice" In this sentence " to be nice" us an infinitive clause.
So my question is whether it is an object for the verb or is it functioning as an adjective.
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1answer
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infinitive vs gerund usage
Is this sentence correct?
"For me, in fact, it is really important to knowing people that may make you culturally richer"
Should it be "important to know" or "important to knowing"?
What's the ...
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1answer
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Can I use “to talked” in this situtation?
My mother called me every night to talked with me and encouraged me.
Can I use to talked in this sentence?
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1answer
190 views
Use of “to be joining”
I'm studying English and I've read this sentence:
I'm very happy to be joining this team
Why is it possible to use "to be joining"?
Thanks!
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1answer
65 views
He brought a bag for someone to take (it)
I have been thinking about the sentence "He brought a bag for someone to take (it)" because if I used "so that", I think "it" would be required.
"He brought a bag so that someone can take it". I have ...
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1answer
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Should there be an infinitive in “sharp corrections to elevated stock prices”?
…the Survey calls "a classic emerging market 'sudden stall' induced by sharp corrections to elevated stock prices." With Indian stock indices continuing…
(emphasis added)
Why it is "to + verb 2nd ...
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0answers
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Which Infinitive form should be used-active or passive
I have confusion between use of active and passive form of infinitive.In following two group of two statements,I think second ones are correct.
1.Figs are good to eat.
2.Figs are good to be eaten.
1....
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Question about bare infinitive in the sentences
From 1955, working full-time on no salary, he began to buzz with good ideas. Put six bagels in a plastic bag to give them a three-day life, rather than seven hours. Sell them in grocery stores to ...
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1answer
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The fact that + verb (inf. vs gerund)
I need help filling out my Work & Travel application. In the personal statement section, I have to write what I hope to experience during my time in the US.
I wrote:
I will experience a new ...
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1answer
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What are the rules for using to-infinitives?
Okay so let's start with verbs and to-infinitives. For example:
This tool is used for opening ** or **This tool is used to open
Which would be correct and why? I know that the to-infinitives are used ...
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0answers
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Can I turn “someone I can call” into “someone to call”?
I need someone I can call at 3 am
Can I write the above sentence
This way:
I need someone to call at 3 am
(Dont know but it doesn't sound okay to me)
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1answer
170 views
What's the difference in meaning between “challenge” + infinitives(to V.) vs. gerund(V. ing)
I have a problem in comparing these two sentences.
DDP challenges protecting inventor's ideas.
DDP challenges to protect inventor's ideas.
Translation in my book says (1) means DDP opposes ...
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1answer
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“I've got so much work” - does this phrase need to be finished by “to do”?
I'm always writing down that phrase without that infinitive part "to do". In that case, I mean that I have to do all the work, but it's only mine interpretation and it seems to be a likely ...
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1answer
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to carry out vs for carrying out
I have read a sentence:
my school needs better facilities for carrying out scientific experiments
is not it supposed to be:
my school needs better facilities to carry out scientific experiments
...
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Please teach me whether the infinitive phrase is grammatically correct or not
At Studfiles, I have found [People who will go to the concert next month must buy tickets in advance.
→People going to the concert next month must buy tickets in advance.}, but I wonder whether to-go ...
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to-infinitive / to+-ing (preposition)
In the following example:
"It's necessary to do an exam to follow in this school"
"to do" is a to-infinitive and it can be replaced by a noun to prove that "to" is not a preposition. E.g.: "It's ...
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1answer
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Using an infinitive in subordinate clause
The Infinitive phrase may be
subject: For you to learn English is good
subjective complement: My desire is for my family to be happy
object: I consider it better for children to learn ...
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0answers
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am not an idiot
Can one say
a. I am not idiot to trust him.
b. I am not foolish to trust him.
?
Do they mean
I trust him but that does not mean I am an idiot/foolish.
or
I don't trust him. I'd have to be an ...
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0answers
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Should i specify who is doing the action when I use “it” as dummy subject?
Should i specify who is doing the action when I use "it" as dummy subject?
For instance:
It would be interesting to tell us about ...
Is this okay?
