INFINITIVES

AS SUBJECTS AND
SUBJECTS COMPLEMENTS

To live in the United States is my dream To watch him eating really gets on my nerves

The main thing is to relax.

Its nice to talk to you.

AFTER VERBS

After verbs that express plans, decisions, expectations and commitments you can use infinitives:
offer decide hope deserve promise agree plan manage afford arrange fail forget learn refuse threaten

Ex. It was late, so we decided to take a taxi home. Simon was in a difficult situation, so I agreed to help him.
o

Other verbs are connected with the idea of making people think something: seem appear pretend
The negative form is: not to... Ex. We decided not to go out because of the weather. I promised not to be late.

AFTER VERBS
want expect ask beg help mean (= intend) would like would prefer

o These verbs are followed by to...(infinitive). The structure can be:

verb + to

verb + object + to...

We expected to be late. Would you like to go now? He doesnt want to know.

We expected Dan to be late. Woul you like me to go now? He doesnt want anybody to know.

AFTER VERBS
tell remind force encourage teach enable order warn invite persuade get (= persuade, arrange for) o These verbs have the structure verb + object + to...

Can you remind me to phone Sam tomorrow?

Who taught you to drive? I didnt move the piano by myself. I got somebody to help me.

Jim said the switch was dangerous and warned me not to touch it.

o Make, Let, Hear, See, Feel, Watch, Notice

verb + object + infinitive without to Ex. Hot weather makes me feel tired Let me carry your bag for you.

AFTER VERBS
verb + ing

Verbs usually followed by ing:

admit, fancy, postpone, avoid, finish, risk, imagine, consider, stop, deny, keep (on), suggest, enjoy, mind
Bare Infinitives

Infinitive without to. After modal auxiliary verbs: will, shall, should, can, could, may, might, must.

verb + object + bare infinitive.

Ex. They make the students work hard at his school. Her parents wont let her go to the concert.

AFTER ADJECTIVES

Structure: To be + adjective + to infinitive

To describe how someone feels about something: afraid, anxious, ashamed, careful, determined, free, frightened, happy, keen, quick, ready, sorry, willing. Example: Peter was determined to pass the exam. To give an opinion about something: agreeable, amusing, boring, difficult, easy, hard, impossible, nice, good, important, necessary. Example: Its easy to fall over on the ice. Adjectives can be used in phrases with be: be supposed to, be expected to, be allowed to, be prepared to. Example: Sorry, but youre not allowed to wait here.

PERSONS PURPOSE

To express a person purpose. Examples: He came to London to look for work. I came here in order to learn.