Infinitives

1. I want to learn.
I hope to succeed.
I promise to study
hard.
I try to get only “A”
grades!
I refuse to give up.
I plan to get to class
on time.
THE INFINITIVES
What Students Are Thinking

2. I decided not to study chemistry this year.
I decided to study English this year.
Form
An infinitive is to + base form of the verb.
Form the negative by placing not before the infinitive.
Infinitive
to + base form of the verb
Negative Infinitive
not + to + base form of the verb

3. I told her to go to bed.
I want to get a good grade in my English class.
Infinitives after Verbs 1
Certain verbs can be followed by an infinitive.
Infinitive
Examples: ask, advise, tell, want
Infinitive

4. He refuses to be uncomfortable
when studying.
Infinitives after Verbs 2
Some verbs can be followed directly by an infinitive.
Infinitive
Examples: begin, decide, fail, learn, plan, promise, refuse, seem, try
Infinitive
He is learning to spell correctly.

5. Infinitives after Objects 1
Some verbs need an object (noun or pronoun) before
the infinitive.
Infinitive
Examples: advise, allow, encourage, force, invite, remind, tell, warn
Object
InfinitiveObject
Our teacher advises them to take notes.
SheShe doesn’t allow students to do their
homework in class.

6. Infinitives after Objects 2
Some verbs need an object (noun or pronoun) before
the infinitive.
Infinitive
Examples: advise, allow, encourage, force, invite, remind, tell, warn
Object
InfinitiveObject
My teacher tells us to pay
attention.
She warns students not to cheat on
tests.

7. Complete the sentences with
infinitives and your own
information. Use objects where
needed.
Maria invited …
Maria invited me to go to a party with her.
1. I promised …
2. My mother plans …
3. Our teacher encourages …
4. My friends decided …
5. My father always tells …
Example:
Practice 1

8. He expected the teacher to give him
an “A.”
He expected to get an “A.”
Infinitives with or without objects
Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or an
object + infinitive.
Infinitive
Examples: ask, expect, help, need, want, would like
InfinitiveObjectObject

9. Form sentences with the verbs. Use
infinitives and use each verb twice: First
without an object, and then with an
object.
I expected to do well on the test.expect
need
help
would like
ask
1.
2.
3.
4.
Example:
My teacher expected me to do well on the test.
without object
with object
Practice 2

10. Form sentences with the verbs. Use
infinitives and use each verb twice: First
without an object, and then with an
object.
I expected to do well on the test.expect
need
help
would like
ask
1.
2.
3.
4.
Example:
My teacher expected me to do well on the test.
without object
with object
Practice 2