The infinitive as the initial form of the verbal paradigm of the Russian language. Infinitive in Russian 5 sentences with the construction adjective infinitive

Greetings, ladies and gentlemen! Today we will learn what an infinitive is, get acquainted with the rules of formation and learn the forms, and also discuss the role it plays in a sentence and find out when the infinitive is used with the particle “to” and when without.

Infinitive in English language(Infinitive)- impersonal or indefinite form of the English verb, which answers the question “What to do?”, “What to do?”. It indicates only the action, without naming the person, number or mood.

A distinctive feature of the infinitive is the particle “to”, but in some cases it can be omitted (bare infinitive).

I was glad to see you. - I was glad to see you.
Can't play chess. - He knows how to play chess.

Negative forms are formed by adding a particle " not" before the infinitive.

I have decided not to invite them. - I decided not to invite them.

Rules for forming the infinitive in English

The infinitive in English has 4 forms (or types) in the active (active) voice and 2 in the passive (passive).

Let's look at them:


Forms of the English infinitive

  • Simple Infinitive- the form that we are used to seeing in the dictionary. It is usually used to indicate action in the present or future tense.
I am glad to meet Peter. - I'm glad to meet Peter.
I have a lot of work to do. - I have a lot of work to do.
  • Continuous Infinitive- this form indicates a long-term effect. This infinitive, like the Simple, denotes an action in the present or future tense.
The weather seems to be changing. - It seems the weather is changing.
He doesn't seem to be sleeping. - He seems to be sleeping.
  • Perfect Infinitive names an action that occurred before the moment of speech indicated in the sentence or before another action.
I am happy to have left school. - I'm glad I left school.
She will pretend to have won the lottery. - She will pretend that she won the lottery.
  • Perfect Continuous Infinitive shows an action that lasts until a specific moment or other action in the present.
I'm glad to have been living in London for so long. - I'm glad I've lived in London for so long.
Jack seems to have been living here since his childhood. - It seems that Jack has lived here since childhood.
  • Passive Indefinite Infinitive expresses an action on someone or something that occurs simultaneously with the action expressed by a verb in its personal form - a predicate verb.
I didn't expect to be invited. - I didn't expect to be invited.
Everybody wants to be loved. - Everyone wants to be loved.
  • Passive Perfect Infinitive used to denote action in passive voice which occurred before the action or state expressed by the predicate verb.
Not said to have won the Olympic Gold. - They say he won gold medal at the Olympic Games.
They were lucky - they could have been killed. - They were lucky - they could have been killed.

Functions of the infinitive in English

The infinitive in a sentence can perform various functions: be a subject, an object, part of a compound predicate, a definition, etc.

  • Subject.
To walk alone late at night is very dangerous. - Walking alone late at night is very dangerous.
  • Addition (object).
Many people hate to lose. - Many people hate losing.
  • Part of a compound predicate.
My decision is to stay here for a couple of days. - My decision is to stay here for a couple of days.


  • Definition (attribute).
She was the best to solve this problem. “She solved this problem best of all.”
  • Adverbial modifier
You can break this model. It was made to be tested. - You can break this model. It was made for testing.

The infinitive is often used in sentences as introductory words or phrases.

To put it mildly, Jack was tipsy. - To put it mildly, Jack was tipsy.
To tell the truth , I don’t really like this city. - To be honest, I really don’t like this city.
Well, to cut a long story short, the party was awful. - In short, the party was terrible.

When the infinitive is used with the particle to

  • The infinitive is usually used with the particle “to”: “to read”, “to write”, “to work”.

But, if in a sentence there are 2 infinitives connected by the conjunction “and” or “or”, then the particle “to” is usually omitted before the second infinitive.

She decided to go and buy something for supper. - She decided to go and buy something for dinner.
I intend to call on him and discuss this question. - I intend to go to him and discuss this issue.
  • The particle "to" is sometimes used at the end of a sentence without a verb.

This is done to avoid repeating the same verb in a sentence. This use of the particle “to” usually occurs after the verbs “ to wish"- wish, " to want"- want, " to try"- try , « to allow"- allow, " to have to"- be obligated, etc.

I didn't want to stay there, but I had to. - I didn’t want to stay there, but I had to (stay).
He wished to go, but he wasn’t able to. - He wanted to go, but was not able (could not go).
  • The infinitive with “to” is used after the verbs “ask” (ask), “learn” (learn, find out), “explain” (explain), “decide” (decide), “find out” (find out), “want to know” "(want to know) when they are followed by a question word.
We should decide now what to do next. - We must decide now what to do next.
Ralph wanted to know where to buy some good cheese. - Ralph wanted to know where he could buy good cheese.
  • The infinitive with “to” is always used after the words “first” (first), “second” (second), “next” (next), “last” (last).
He loves parties: he is always the first to come and the last to leave. - He loves parties: he is always the first to arrive and the last to leave.

  • The infinitive with “to” is used after the expressions “would like” or “would love” (would like), “would prefer” (would prefer), which indicate a specific desire.
I would like to talk to her right now. - I'd like to talk to her right now.
I would love to help you, but I have no time. - I would love to help you, but I don’t have time.
I would prefer to drink hot tea - I would prefer to drink hot tea.
  • The infinitive with “to” is always used after the words “too” and “enough”.
It’s too cold outside to go jogging. - It's too cold outside to go for a run.
That place was good enough to visit it again. - That place was good enough to visit again.

List of verbs that require an infinitive after themselves

to agree- agree
to aim- intend, try
to appear- turn out to be
to arrange- negotiate
to ask- ask
to attempt- to attempt
to be able- to be able, to be able
to run- ask, beg
to begin- start
to care- want, have a desire
to choose- choose
to claim- declare, affirm
to dare- make up your mind, have courage
to decide- decide
to demand- demand
to deserve- deserve
to dread- to be afraid, to be afraid
to expect- expect
to fail- not to come true, not to do, not to be able to
to get- get permission
to happen- turn out to happen
to hesitate- not to decide
to hope- hope
to hurry- hurry up
to intend- intend
to learn- study
to manage- be able to cope
to need- need
to neglect- forget, not do something
to plan- to plan
to prepare- get ready
to pretend- pretend, pretend
to proceed- go to, start doing something after something
to promise- promise
to refuse- refuse
to seem- seem
to strive- try, make an effort
to wear- to swear
to tend- to have a tendency, to gravitate
to threaten- threaten, intimidate
to vow- take an oath
to wait- wait
to want- want
to wish- want, desire

When the infinitive is used without the particle to

  • After modal verbs(may, can, should, must etc).
Children should spend more time outside. - Children should spend more time outdoors.
Can I ask you a question? - Can I ask you a question?

Exception The modal verbs are “dare” / “ought” / “have” / “be”.

She ought to be more polite to other people. - She should be more polite to people.

  • After the verbs “let”, “make”, “see”, “hear”, “feel”.
I felt him put his hand on my shoulder. “I felt him put his hand on my shoulder.
I saw she leave the room. - I saw her leave the room.
I heard her sing. - I heard her sing.

But, if these verbs are used in Passive Voice, then they are accompanied by an infinitive with the particle “to”.

Not was seen to leave the house. - We saw him leave the house.

  • After the verb “help” (to help), a verb can be used either with or without “to”.
Help me ( to) find my keys, please. - Help me find the keys, please.
  • After the expressions " had better"/"would rather".
I would rather don't tell them about it. - I would prefer not to tell them about it.
You" d better see the doctor. - You'd better go to the doctor.
I" d rather drink coffee - I would prefer to drink coffee.
  • In interrogative sentences that begin with “Why not?” (why not).
Why not dance? - Why not dance?
Why not join us and have some wine? - Why not join us and have some wine?

Conclusion

We hope that we have revealed to you all the secrets of the infinitive in English. Now you can safely apply the rules in practice and avoid mistakes in speech :)

Good luck in your studies!

Big and friendly EnglishDom family

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The construction “Adjective + infinitive” has three options, depending on the meaning of the adjectives, and each of these options has some features. But they are united by one idea: the infinitive expresses an action, and the adjective indicates an ATTITUDE towards the action. The adjective in the construction is included in the compound nominal predicate and is its nominal part. The linking verb in a compound nominal predicate is most often the verb “to be”.

First option RELATIONSHIPS speaks about behavior and actions. It can be conditionally called “Your side...” or “You did...”. This option allows three sentence constructions, one of which is exclamatory. In the Russian version it sounds something like this:

It was very NICE of YOU to invite me to the party.

It was very nice of you to invite me to your party.

You are very nice to invite me to your party.

How nice of you to invite me to your party!

It was POLITE of John to give up his seat on the bus to that old lady.

It was polite of John to offer his seat in the bus to that old woman.

John was very polite to offer his seat in the bus to that old woman.

How polite of John to offer his seat in the bus to that old woman!

You acted very carelessly by telling him the truth.

It was very unwise of you to tell him the truth.

You are very unwise to tell him the truth.

How unwise of you to tell him the truth!

Second option RELATIONSHIP talks about the feelings, emotions and aspirations that the action expressed by the infinitive causes.

We were happy to see our grandchildren. = We were glad to see our grandchildren.

He was sorry not to see her at the party. = He was sad that he didn't see her at the party.

John was mortified to know that he had not been elected. = John was terribly upset when he found out that he was not elected.

There is also third option, which can be safely called modal, since the attitude to action is expressed by “modal” adjectives. These are adjectives that indicate possibility, probability, certainty, ability, readiness, agreement and, conversely, impossibility, improbability, inability, disagreement.

I will write a few of the most common “modal” adjectives.

to be certain = to be faithful, to be undoubted, to be obligatory;

to be sure = to be certain, to be indispensable;

to be bound = to be indispensable, to be obligatory, to be sure;

to be likely = probable, suitable;

to be fit = to be worthy, proper, capable, ready;

to be able = to be able, to be able, to be able, to be capable;

to be liable = to be probable, to be possible; be obliged;

to be important = to be important, significant;

to be ready = to be ready, to agree, to be prepared;

to be willing = to be ready, to agree; willing to do something;

to be unable = to be unable, to be unable;

to be unfit = to be unsuitable, to be unfit, to be unfit;

I will write several sentences with the construction “Adjective + infinitive”, in which the adjective has a modal meaning.

He is bound to help you. = He will certainly help you.

She is liable to come at any moment. = She can come at any moment.

Our team is certain to win. = Our team will definitely win.

The old woman is unfit to work. = This old lady is unable to work.

They are ready to start at once. = They are ready to leave now.

The weather is sure to be sunny. = The weather will certainly be sunny.

Was he willing to listen to your arguments? = Did he agree to listen to your arguments?

He is likely to know about this. = He probably knows about it.

I am unable to speak to you right now. = I can't talk to you right now.

This house is quite fit to live in.= This house is quite fit to live in. = This house is quite suitable for living.

Introduction

The infinitive is a unique verb form that has rare features of extra-verbal properties and extra-contextual significance. In this respect, the infinitive is very similar to the nominative case of a noun. Like the nominative case of a noun, the verb in the indefinite form names the action in general, in itself: play, knock, read, etc.

The nominative case of a noun is the initial form in the system of word forms of a given word. In the same way, the infinitive is the initial form in verb formation.

The infinitive is also unique in its composition: without changing and maintaining irrelevance to someone (something), expressing only the idea of ​​action, it appears in three structural and morphological varieties, ending in -t, -ti, -ch.

The infinitive is also unique in its syntactic functioning: it can be any member of a sentence.

All these features of the infinitive create significant difficulties for non-Russian students in mastering it, aggravated by the interfering influence of their native language, in which the morphemic structure of the infinitive, morphological features and coordinating possibilities are significantly different.

In this regard, in this diploma research we tried to identify typical mistakes among students of the Dagestan national school, which they make when using infinitive constructions in written speech; develop visual aids for the topic “Infinitive” that will help students in grades 5-6 to understand this topic more deeply; propose a system of exercises, linguistic tasks and communicative tasks aimed at developing all types of students’ speech activity when working with the infinitive.

To solve the problems we used the following methods:

1) study of educational, scientific and scientific-methodological literature on the topic of the diploma;

2) analysis of the school curriculum in the Russian language and Russian language textbooks for grades 5-6 of the National School of the Russian Federation;

3) studying the methodological experience of teachers of the practical course of the Russian language at the Faculty of Dagestan Philology;

4) ascertaining experiment and analysis of its results.

The materials of the thesis research can be used in the process of teaching PCRL, during teaching practice, as well as when reading a special course on methods of teaching the Russian language at the National School.

The thesis has the following structure: “Introduction”, “Chapter 1”, “Chapter 2”, “Conclusion”, “Bibliography”, “Appendix” (No. 1, 2).

The infinitive as the initial form of the verbal paradigm of the Russian language

The meaning of the infinitive, its structure and grammatical categories

The infinitive (indefinite form of the verb) is the original form of the verbal paradigm, naming the process, but not indicating the relationship of the verb to person, number, tense, mood, gender. The infinitive has the categories of aspect and voice (decide, decide; decide, decide).

The infinitive has the suffixes -т (-ти), -ч. The base of the infinitive of most verbs coincides with the base of the past tense, to which the suffixes -т or (in the stressed position) -ti are added (chit-l-a - read; ume-l-a - be able to; nes-l-a - carry ; vez-l-a - vez-ti).

The suffix -ch, presented in the infinitive of verbs, goes back in its origin to the suffix -ti, which was transformed in combination with the final back-lingual stems /g/, /k/ into -ch (ber-l-a - take care; bake-l- a - oven).

The isolated verb go (and verbs with the component -iti) form an infinitive from the present tense stem using the suffix -ti (id-ut - id-ti; soyd-ut - soy-ti) with the loss of the final /d/ stem.

But the combination of objective and subjective (methodological) factors leads in practice to controversial situations, for example, the above-mentioned components, i.e. -ть(-ти), -ч - suffixes or endings of the infinitive?

Based on verbs like lie down, bake, let’s look at whether the infinitive form of the verb has endings? This question can be answered only by defining what is meant by the term “ending” (“inflection”).

In the scientific and methodological literature, there are two understandings of this term: narrow and broad.

In the narrow (“traditional”) sense, “ending” is a variable significant part of a word that forms the form of the word and serves to connect words in phrases and sentences. Among the endings there are "zero inflections".

"Inflectional morphs in the Russian language are those morphs whose interchange in word forms leads to a change in the morphological meanings of gender, number, case and person: sten-a, sten-y, sten-e... sten-y; red-y, red-aya , red, red; write-u, ​​write-eat, write-et, write-e... Inflectional morphs also include indicators of the infinitive (for example, -ti in the verb to carry)."

The similarity of the formant -ti (-т) with the ending is manifested in the fact that it forms one of the grammatical forms of the verb (infinitive) and takes place at the end of the word form; after -t only postfixes can appear (bathe). Like any grammatical affix, -ti (-т) is not part of the base and does not participate in the formation of new words. This basically ends the similarity between -ti (-т) and the ending.

Much more significant are the features that distinguish -ti (-t) from endings. The ending is a variable part of a word that expresses the grammatical meanings of gender, number, case and person. An infinitive is a special form of a verb that is not a member of any of the intraverbal inflectional paradigms (mood, tense, person, gender, number). Consequently, the infinitive cannot be considered an inflectable form in the sense in which forms with personal, generic, numerical and case endings are recognized as inflectible. Of course, the infinitive is one of the forms of the inflected part of speech - the verb, but it only follows from this that -ti (-т) is a formative affix. And if it is unlawful to look for endings in gerunds (reading, creating), in comparative degree forms of adjectives and adverbs (more beautiful, higher), then recognizing -ti (-t) as an ending in an unchangeable form - the infinitive is illogical.

The ending serves to connect words in phrases and sentences - the infinitive either controls names or adjoins verbs, words of the state category. In any case, its grammatical form remains unchanged, i.e. -ti (-т) does not play a syntactic role.

Finally, the very fact of the location of -ti (-т) at the end of a word cannot be considered decisive, since, firstly, both suffixes (playing, lower, running) and roots (far away) can be in this position; secondly, the endings may not be located at the end of the word (five-and-ten-and, met-a-s).

Thus, based on the accepted understanding of inflection, it is hardly legitimate to define -ti (-т) as an ending. It is more logical to qualify this element in accordance with the established tradition as a formative (grammatical) suffix.

However, another (broad or, as M.F. Lukin calls it, “new”) understanding of endings is also known: any morph that expresses grammatical meaning and is not part of the stem can be considered a ending. In accordance with this understanding, -ti (-т), naturally, should be recognized as an ending, just like all other formative affixes (participles, gerunds, tense, mood, comparative degree, etc.). In this case, as I.G. admits. Miloslavsky, several endings can be distinguished in one word: go-l-a (-a - zh.r., singular, -l- - past tense), carry-i-te (-those - plural. , -and- - imperative mood).

You can accept or not accept this point of view, but you cannot deny its consistency and validity: all grammatical affixes are combined into one type (ending) based on their common function - to serve as a means of expressing grammatical meanings and forming grammatical forms. Here, as they say, everything is clear.

It is more difficult to understand why, having generally accepted the initial narrow (traditional) definition of endings, the school textbook and “Russian Grammar” call some formative affixes (-ti, -t) endings, others (-l-, -e, -ee, - lice, -shi, etc.) - suffixes.

The question of the segmentability of verbs like lie down, whip is resolved ambiguously. There are several opinions on this matter:

1) The grammatical meaning of the infinitive is not expressed in any way; verbs of this type are already indivisible. But if there is a meaning for the infinitive, then there must also be a means of expressing it (formant, form); otherwise, one will have to prove that content can exist outside of form, and this is hardly provable, at least from a materialist point of view.

2) In our opinion, another point of view seems more justified: the grammatical suffix of the infinitive -ti (-т) has undergone historical phonetic changes, as a result of which the final consonant /ch/ simultaneously belongs to both the root and the suffix. However, this interpretation is also not controversial, since, strictly speaking, it goes beyond the scope of synchronous analysis.

We can agree with this statement if we recognize that zero formative suffixes, like endings, stand out not only against the background of the paradigm of grammatical forms of the same word. In practice, this may look like this: if in the word form sing -t is the formant of the infinitive, then the infinitive oven has a zero formant. The basis for this conclusion is the identity of the grammatical meanings to sing and bake.

The infinitive is the third unconjugated form of the verb. It occupies a special place among all verb forms.

An action designated by an infinitive, despite its uncertainty, evokes an idea of ​​an object, a person with whom this action can be performed, just as an adjective evokes an idea of ​​an object that has the named attribute.

Some lexemes - infinitives are homonymous with nouns: know - know, become - become, mouth - mouth (simple form).

The initial form of the verb is the infinitive (indefinite form of the verb). You should pay attention to two difficulties in determining the initial form of a verb.

The first difficulty is finding the infinitive of reflexive verbs. It is traditional to include the postfix -sya in the initial form of the verb, regardless of whether it performs a word-forming or formative function: smiles - smile, combs one's hair - comb one's hair.

IN explanatory dictionaries In the Russian language, infinitives with a voice formative -sya are recorded as separate words. For example, the passive to comb is given as a separate word.

An exception to this rule is impersonal verbs formed from personal ones using the postfix -sya; -sya is not included in the initial form of such verbs; The impersonal verbs in the sentence Doesn’t sit, doesn’t lie, doesn’t walk have an initial form without -sya: sit, lie, walk (there is no infinitive sit, lie, walk).

The reflexivity/non-reflexivity of the initial form of the verb is determined by the function of the postfix -sya. If -sya forms a word (without -sya the verb is not used) or modifies it lexical meaning(forgive - say goodbye), which, in essence, is also the formation of a new word, then the postfix -sya must be included in the initial form - the infinitive and the verb must be qualified as reflexive. If -sya performs a form-building function (forms a voice form or an impersonal form), then -sya should not be included in the initial form and the verb is qualified as non-reflexive, but having a reflexive form. That is, one should distinguish between a reflexive verb (with a derivational -sya) and a reflexive form of a verb (with a formative -sya). In the sentence It’s good in the autumn flowery forest, you don’t want to leave it for a long time, say goodbye to the golden autumn days (I. Sokolov-Mikitov), ​​the initial form of want (irreflexive verb) is highlighted and it is indicated that in the sentence the verb to want has a reflexive form with the meaning of impersonality, and the infinitive to say goodbye (reflexive verb), since -sya forms a new meaning from the verb to forgive. Wed: forgive: 1) excuse; 2) release from obligation and say goodbye: 1) exchange greetings when parting; 2) to leave something, to part.

Question for the initial form - what to do? or what to do? The question for the conjugated form should reflect the categories of this form: Oh, red summer! I would love you. (A. Pushkin) - what would you do?; Arise, prophet!.. (A. Pushkin) - what will you do?

The second difficulty is that the aspectual correspondence between the analyzed and initial forms is often violated: the infinitive must have the same form as the analyzed form: obul - obut; put on shoes - put on shoes.

So, the infinitive is the initial, initial, and also dictionary form of the verb, with which the rest of the system of its forms is lexically and word-formatively connected.

Infinitive in English– this is a non-personal form. Like a verb, an infinitive names an action, but unlike a verb, it does not indicate person or number. In its basic form (Simple Infinitive), the infinitive answers the questions: what to do? what to do?

to purchase – to purchase.

The infinitive is also called the “infinitive form of the verb” or the “initial form of the verb.”

Table: infinitive forms in English (briefly)

The infinitive can have 4 forms in the active voice and 2 in the passive voice.

However, the most common and relevant for study is the form “simple infinitive in the active voice” (to ask). In fact, when they say “infinitive”, usually, in most cases, I mean this particular form - most of this article is devoted to it.

Below we will look at the same table again and analyze each form in detail, but first we need to clarify two more points:

  • The infinitive can be with or without the particle to.
  • How is the negative form of the infinitive formed?

After that, let's return to the analysis of each form.

Infinitive with the particle to and without the particle to

The infinitive can be used with or without the particle to:

  • I want to help you. - I want to help you.
  • I must help you. - I have to help you.

Most often the infinitive is used with to, but there are a number of cases when the infinitive is used without the particle to, they apply to all forms of the infinitive(i.e. all forms from the table above). I note that most often the infinitive without to occurs after modal verbs, other cases are quite rare.

1. After modal verbs (the most common case)

Negative infinitive

The negative form is formed using a particle not– it is placed before the infinitive. If the infinitive has the particle to, the negation not is placed before it.

I decided not to go to London. – I decided not to go to London.

He asked me not to be late. - He asked me not to be late.

I might not come. – I may not come.

All forms of the infinitive in English (details)

Let's look again at all forms of the infinitive:

There are six forms in total in the table:

1. Simple Infinitive:

I want to ask you – I want to ask you.

2. Simple Infinitive Passive:

I want to be asked- I want to be asked.

3. Continuous Infinitive:

I happened to be asking her about you when you came in. “It so happened that I asked her about you when you came.”

4. Perfect Infinitive:

You could have asked me first - You could ask me first.

5. Perfect Infinitive Passive:

She could have been asked by anybody – Anyone could have asked her.

6. Perfect Continuous Infinitive:

He doesn't seem to have been asking wrong people - Looks like he was asking the wrong people questions.

Please note that the most common, necessary and important form to study is Simple Infinitive. In second place - Simple Infinitive Passive. Other forms are used less frequently.

Forms Perfect And Perfect Continuous(that is, those where there are have) – largely overlap with the themes “ and . If you already know these topics, you will see familiar things, but just from a different perspective - everything is explained in more detail below.

Simple Infinitive - simple infinitive (the most necessary form)

The most common and important form of the infinitive to study is the simple infinitive in the active voice (Infinitive Indefinite Active or Simple Infinitive Active). It is used to denote an action that:

1. Occurs simultaneously with the action of the main verb:

Tell him to stop. - Tell him to stop.

2. Refers to the future tense:

I want you to come with me tomorrow. – I want you to come with me tomorrow.

3. Regardless of the time of commission:

To know such tricks are useful. – Knowing such tricks is useful.

Let's name the main cases of its use.

1. With verbs that do not give full meaning

The infinitive is often used in combination with verbs that do not make full sense without it, for example:

  • Tell- say/command something,
  • Begin- start,
  • Continue- continue,
  • Want- want,
  • Intend- intend
  • Try- try, try,
  • Hope- hope
  • Promise- promise,
  • Decide- decide, make a decision.

I want to see your permission. - I want to see your permission.

Do you promise to quit smoking? – Do you promise to quit smoking?

Nina decided not to sing the agreement. – Nina decided not to sign the agreement.

I'll try to help you. - I'll try to help you.

These verbs include modal verbs. I remind you that after them the infinitive is used without the particle to:

I must see your permission. - I need to see your permission.

Can you quit smoking? -Can you quit smoking?

2. To indicate the purpose of an action

In Russian, when we need to express the purpose of an action, we say “to” or “with a purpose.” In English we use the infinitive:

She came to collect her letter. - She came (to) pick up her letter.

We came to help you. - We came (to) help you.

I am calling to ask you about dad. – I’m calling you (to) ask about dad.

You sister has gone to finish her homework. – Your sister left to finish her homework (left to finish).

In this case to can be replaced by a union in order to(with a purpose), the meaning will be the same, but sentences with in order to sounds more formal:

You sister has gone in order to finish her homework. – Your sister left to complete her homework.

3. Infinitive as subject

The infinitive is used as a subject in formal speech, often in writing.

To be or not to be, that is the question. – To be or not to be, that is the question.

To know she is to love her. “To know her is to love her.”

To visit the Grand Canyon is my life-long dream. – Visiting the Grand Canyon has been my life’s dream.

To understand statistics, that is our aim. – Understanding statistics is our goal.

4. To indicate the purpose of the item

If I had known you were coming I would have baked a cake. “If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a pie.”

You could have helped him. – You could have helped him (but you didn’t).

In the case of the verb should there is a hint of regret or reproach:

Where should have taken more gas. – We should have taken more gasoline (but, unfortunately, we didn’t).

You should have been prepared for anything! “You should have been ready for anything!” (but you weren't and therefore you let us down)

Perfect Continuous Infinitive - an infinitive denoting a continuous-perfect action

Scheme: to have been + Present Participle. Example: to have been talking.

This form is used in the following cases:

1. Long completed action

The infinitive denotes a continuous action that was performed but completed before the action expressed by the verb.

The woman seemed to have been crying. “The woman looked like she was crying.

He pretended to have been working all day. “He pretended that he had been working all day.”

2. After modal verbs must, may, should

The assumption is expressed that some long-term action took place, but has already ended.

You must have been waiting for hours! “You must have waited for hours!”

They might have been talking before you came in. “They must have been talking before you came in.”

In the case of a modal verb should there is a tinge of regret or reproach that some long-term action could have occurred, but in reality did not occur.

You should have been studying for your test. – You should have studied for the test (but you didn’t).

Note:

Please note that in all perfect forms of the infinitive, that is, in forms where there is have, the word itself have never takes shape has, as in the case of a verb in its personal form. Word have in this case it is part of the infinitive, therefore it cannot be correlated with person and number, and accordingly cannot take a personal form has(has = 3rd person, singular).

He has a fox. - He has a fox.

The has form is used because it is the personal form (3rd person, singular) of the verb.

He might have a fox. - He might have a fox.

Here have– infinitive, it has no person and number.

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In English infinitive(Infinitive) is a word that denotes an action, but does not indicate a person or number. In russian language English infinitive corresponds to the indefinite form of the verb, which answers the questions “what to do?” what to do?": to live - to live.

The formal sign of the infinitive is the particle to:

to write- write, to read- read, to drink- drink, to think- think.

If there is a particle before the verb to, then before you is an infinitive (or an indefinite form of a verb). Sometimes the infinitive can be used without a particle to.

The negative form is formed using a particle not, which comes before the infinitive: not to use - do not use.

It is difficult to use .- Difficult use.
It is difficult not to use .- Difficult do not use.

Infinitive forms

In English, the infinitive has 6 forms (unlike Russian, which has only one form). To understand well the meanings of the infinitive forms, you need to have an understanding of the verb.

Simple infinitive. Indefinite Infinitive

Infinitive in the form Indefinite (Simple) or simple infinitive is the basic form and represents the verb in the dictionary (for convenience, the particle in the dictionary to often omitted). This form of the infinitive is in the same tense as the verb that precedes it.

I was glad to see her. — I was glad to see her (simple infinitive in the active voice).
The child didn't like to be washed. — The child did not like being washed (simple infinitive in the passive voice).

Compare the use of the simple infinitive in the active and passive voice: to help - to be helped
I am glad to help you. - I am glad to help. (I'm glad I'm helping).
I am glad to be helped. - I'm glad they're helping me.

Perfect infinitive. Perfect Infinitive

Infinitive in the form Perfect or perfect infinitive denotes an action that precedes the action of the predicate verb.

I was very glad to have met you. - I am very glad that I met you (perfect infinitive in the active voice).
Sorry not to have noticed you. - Sorry that I didn’t notice you (perfect infinitive in the active voice).
The child was happy to have been brought to the circus. — The child was happy that he was brought to the circus (perfect infinitive in the passive voice).

Compare the use of the Simple Infinitive and the Perfect Infinitive in the active voice: to see - to have seen
I am glad to see you. - Glad to see you. (Glad to see you.)

I am glad to have seen you. - Glad I saw you.

Long infinitive. Continuous Infinitive

Infinitive in the form Continuous or long infinitive emphasizes the duration of an action occurring simultaneously with the action of the predicate verb. This form is used only in the active voice.

He doesn't seem to be writing something. — It seems he is writing something now (long infinitive in the active voice).

Perfectly continuous infinitive. Perfect Continuous Infinitive

Infinitive in the form Perfect Continuous or perfect continuous infinitive emphasizes that the action began earlier than the action of the predicate verb, lasted for a period of time and is still lasting. This form is also not used in the passive voice.

He didn't seem to have been writing all day. “It seemed like he was writing all day.”

Infinitive forms in the table

Meaning different forms infinitive in table
Infinitive forms What am I happy about?
Simple I am glad to speak to you. Glad to talk to you. (I always rejoice when I talk to you).
Continuous I am glad to be speaking to you. I'm glad I'm talking to you now.
Perfect I am glad to have spoken to you. Glad I talked to you.
Perfect Continuous I am glad to have been speaking to you. I’m glad that I’ve been talking to you for a long time (all this time).
Simple Passive I am (always) glad to be told the news. I'm always glad when people tell me news.
Perfect Passive I am glad to have been told the news. Glad you told me the news.

Using the infinitive without the particle to

Most often the infinitive in English is used with the particle to, but there are cases when the particle to not used before an infinitive.

The infinitive is used without particle to in the following cases:

  • After can, could, must, may, might, will, shall, should, would And need (in the modal sense). Exceptions are modal verbs have to, ought to, be to.
  • IN complex addition after sensory verbs feel(feel), hear(hear), see(see), watch(observe), notice(notice):

    I saw him leave the office. — I saw him leave the office.
    I heard him go down the stairs. “I heard him come down the stairs.

    But: if the listed verbs feel, see, hear, watch, notice are used in the passive voice, then the particle precedes the infinitive to:

    He was seen to leave the office. — We saw him leave the office.

  • In a complex object after verbs make(meaning “to force, compel”) And let(meaning “to allow, allow”). Again, if these verbs are in the passive voice, then the infinitive is used with the particle to.

    I can't make you take this medicine. “I can’t force you to take this medicine.”
    We let her go to the party. — We allowed her to go to the party.
    She was made to rewrite the test. — She was forced to rewrite the test (was made - passive verb).

  • After the verb help(to help) the infinitive can also be used with a particle to, and without it. Both options are acceptable, with the option without to less formal.