Infinitive Verbs

Infinitive Verbs

What are infinitive verbs?

Infinitive verbs are the type of verbs that are present in their fundamental form. It is basically the base type of an action word with “to” before it. At the point when you utilize an infinitive verb, “to” is a piece of that action word.

Classification Of The Infinitive Verbs

Infinitives can be grouped into four categories. They are simple infinitive verbs, past infinitive verbs, continuous infinitive verbs and perfect continuous infinitive verbs. Each type has a particular functional structure.

What Are Finite And Non-finite Verbs?

Finite verbs are the main verbs in a sentence. They can change their forms with respect to different tenses. In our everyday life, we use such words very frequently while speaking.

Some of the examples are- We walk everyday. I have a laptop. They are going to the hall. Everybody slept in the afternoon.

Non-finite verbs are the ones that do not convey a sense of tense and cannot be used as main verbs in a sentence. They are either infinitives, participles or gerunds.

Examples are: He told me to do the task. I like swimming. Thinking about her, Harish fell asleep.

How To Form an Infinitive Verb?

As we spoke above what is an infinitive verb and its classification, in order to form an infinitive, one must add the preposition “to” with it.

For example -refer to the table below:

How Do Infinitive Verbs Function As A Noun, Adjective And Adverb?

The infinitive verbs can be used in many capacities. It is useful to recognize which job an infinitive verb plays in a sentence. With the appropriate comprehension of how an infinitive is utilized, a person can structure their sentences with clarity and accuracy.

Function as noun

Infinitive verb acts like a noun in a sentence when it indicates or behaves like a subject or provides us with valuable information regarding the subject.

Example- To achieve success requires immense amounts of hardwork and patience.

Here in the given example “to achieve” is the infinitive verb which is acting as a noun in the sentence.

Similarly, other examples could be

Company’s main aim is to upgrade.

She wanted to play with her friends.

Function as adjective

When the infinitive verbs are added to any sentences after the noun, then they start automatically acting as an adjective in a sentence.

Example- The best man to take advice from is your parents.

Here in the sentence we can see that man is a noun over here and next to it “to take” is the infinitive verb which is acting as an adjective

Similarly another example could be –

The tuition teacher has given the task to complete the homework provided by her.

She was happy to come over at her friend’s place.

My mother was surprised to see me studying.

Function as Adverb

Infinitives can help in intensifying or adjusting an action word in a sentence. These infinitives tell the peruser why the activity is important.

Example- We study in class to gain knowledge.

In the above example the reason behind to study is shown that is “to gain” knowledge and it shows like mentioned above in essence why the required activity is important.

Similarly, other examples could be-

In order to win in a race, one must run fast.

Everybody has become anxious to see their results in college.

Every person needs a break to calm down their senses.

What are bare infinitives?

The bare infinitives are the ones in which we do not add or use the preposition “to”.

The word “to” is oftentimes utilized to form an infinitive, however, it is not the fundamental part or indication of it. At the point when an infinitive is utilized without the preposition “to,” it is known as a bare infinitive.

Usage of it in the sentences-

It is mainly used after the main verbs.

I made him go out of the house

Here the sentence won’t be framed as “made him to go” and we have cut down the preposition “to” over here.

Similarly, other examples could be-

1. I saw her painting on the balcony.

2. The soldier would sacrifice rather than surrender.

3. My mother made me happy.

Conclusion

In grammar, verbs are a very important part of framing sentences and structuring them in the correct order according to the rules of grammar. Infinitives are a very essential part of forming sentences. Without them, the sentences cannot be made in the correct manner. infinitives are tense neutral and can function as nouns, adjectives and adverbs as well. Its usage is also found in phrases as well.