to — infinitives

also known as the infinitive form of a verb, is the base form of the verb preceded by the word "to."

In English, the infinitive is used in various ways, including as the

◦ base form of the verb in a sentence
◦ after certain verbs
◦ as the subject or object of a sentence
◦ or in infinitive phrases.

We use the to-infinitive after certain verbs
verbs followed by to-infinitive,
particularly verbs of thinking and feeling:


They decided to start a business together.
Remember to turn the lights off.

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and verbs of saying:


We agreed to meet at the cinema.
Promise to call me every day.

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Some verbs are followed by a direct object and then the to-infinitive:


He encouraged his friends to vote for him.
Remind me to give Julia a call.

We also use the to-infinitive to express purpose
to answer why?:

He bought some flowers to give to his wife.
He locked the door to keep everyone out.

We can also express purpose with in order to and in order not to:

We started our journey early in order to avoid the traffic.
They spoke quietly in order not to wake the children.

or so as to and so as not to:

We started our journey early so as to avoid the traffic.
They spoke quietly so as not to wake the children.

We use the to-infinitive after certain adjectives:


Unfortunately, I was unable to work for over a week.
I'm really tired. I'm ready to go to bed.

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Sometimes the to-infinitive gives a reason for the adjective:


We were happy to come to the end of our journey.
We were happy because we had come to the end of our journey.

John was surprised to see me.
He was surprised because he saw me.

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We often use it + be followed by an adjective to give opinions:


It's easy to play the piano, but it's very difficult to play well.
He spoke so quickly that it was impossible to understand him.

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We use the to-infinitive with these adjectives to give opinions about people:


She was right to complain about that hotel.
You were clever to find the answer so quickly.

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We use the preposition for to show who these adjectives refer to:


It was difficult for us to hear what she was saying.
It is easy for you to criticise other people.

With the other adjectives, we use the preposition of:

It's kind of you to help.
It would be silly of him to spend all his money.

We use the to-infinitive as a postmodifier ·see noun phrases· after abstract nouns like:


They gave him an opportunity to escape.
He was annoyed by her refusal to answer.
I have no desire to be rich.
There is no need to shout.

We often use the to-infinitive as a postmodifier after indefinite pronouns:

When I am travelling I always take something to read.
There is hardly anything to do in most of these small towns.
I was all alone. I had no one to talk to.