ADV week 7 infinitives.notebook
July 22, 2015
Infinitives
What is an infinitive? to + the base form of the verb; often functions like a noun. 1. Infinitive as subject: The infinitive can often be the subject of a sentence. (However, it is usually very formal and sounds Shakespearean.) Ex: To be or not to be. That is the question! from Hamlet Instead, it's better to use It + infinitive phrase.
ADV week 7 infinitives.notebook
2. It + infinitive phrase: We often use It + infinitive phrase like we use gerunds as subjects. Ex: Swimming is fun. It's fun to swim.
3. Infinitive as object: Infinitives can also act as objects. Ex: I want to bring Little Man to class. :(
July 22, 2015
ADV week 7 infinitives.notebook
4. Infinitive as complement: Infinitives can also act as subject complements. Ex: My job is to teach you grammar! 5. Infinitives with object nouns/pronouns: Some verbs are followed by a required noun or pronoun + the infinitive. Ex: I warned him not to be late! (verb, object pronoun, infinitive) Sometimes the noun or pronoun is optional. Ex: I expect to be home early. (verb, infinitive) I expect him to be home early. (verb, object pronoun, infinitive)
July 22, 2015
ADV week 7 infinitives.notebook
6. Infinitives after adjectives: Infinitives usually follow adjectives. (This is English, so I can't say ALWAYS.) Ex: I'm very happy to see you! 7. Infinitives after nouns: Infinitives often follow nouns. This is not always true, but it is very common! Ex: Honest people are good friends to have. It's time to party! (Different from: You should spend time studying this weekend.) 8. Infinitives with too and enough: We often use too and enough with infinitives. Ex: It's too late to call her. I don't have enough money to buy a new camera.
July 22, 2015
ADV week 7 infinitives.notebook
July 22, 2015
9. Past infinitives: We use a past infinitive to + have + past participle to show that an action occurred before the action of the main verb. Ex: "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." Alfred Lord Tennyson 10. Passive infinitives: Infinitives can occur in passive form. present: to + be + past participle past: to + have + been + past participle Ex: I like to invite people to dinner parties. active I like to be invited to dinner parties. passive You needed to finish the paper for homework. active The paper was to have been finished for homework. passive
ADV week 7 infinitives.notebook
function
July 22, 2015
use
example
subject
used as the subject of a sentence. formal
To be or not to be.
It + infinitive
used like gerund subjects.
It's fun to swim.
object
used as the object of a sentence.
I want to bring Little Man to class.
complement
used as a subject complement My job is to teach you grammar.
w/ object nouns/ pronouns
used after proper nouns or object pronouns sometimes optional
I warned him not to be late. I expect to be home early. I expect him to be home early.
after adjectives
used after adjectives
I'm happy to see you!
after nouns
used after nouns
Honest people are good friends to have. It's too late to call her.
too and enough
used with too and enough
past
used to show that an action occurred before the action of the main verb.
I don't have enough money to buy a new camera. "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." I like to be invited to dinner parties.
passive
used in the passive voice
The paper was to have been finished for homework.
ADV week 7 infinitives.notebook
July 22, 2015
Verbs followed by gerunds and infinitives: Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or an infinitive. Ex: I like swimming. or I like to swim. However, some verbs followed by both gerunds and infinitives have differences in meaning. These verbs are:
Verb:
forget
remember
stop
quit
go on
try
regret
Infinitive
Gerund
a responsibility:
a memory or experience:
Don't forget to lock the door.
I'll never forget climbing Mount Everest.
a responsibility:
a memory or experience:
Please remember to lock the door.
I'll always remember climbing Mount Everest.
stopped an activity for the purpose of starting another one:
when you are no longer doing something (activity is finished):
I stopped to say hello to Andrew.
I stopped saying hello to Andrew.
quit an activity for the purpose of starting another one:
when you are no longer doing something (activity is finished):
She quit to take care of her children.
She quit taking care of her children.
to stop one action, and begin another: to continue an action: I went on to teach at Harvard.
I went on teaching at Kaplan.
to give effort:
to have a new experience:
I'm trying to go to the gym every day.
I tried eating sushi yesterday.
when you have to give bad news:
when you wish you could change your actions:
I regret to inform you that you didn't pass the test. :(
I regret eating three pizzas. I feel sick.