Infinitive (to + base form) | English Grammar Guide for French Students

• 1 Always begins with "to"
• 2 Followed by the base form of the verb
• 3 Does not change for tense or person
• 4 Functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb

1 Structure: "to" + base form of the verb
2 Base form: The dictionary form of the verb (without -s, -ed, -ing)
3 Examples: to work, to play, to study, to eat, to sleep
4 Consistency: Same form regardless of subject or tense context

• 1 to work
• 2 to play
• 3 to study
• 4 to eat
• 5 to sleep
• 6 to run

1 Subject: "To learn English is challenging."
2 Direct object: "I want to travel to France."
3 Subject complement: "My goal is to succeed."
4 Infinitive as a noun phrase can function in various positions

1 Examples: "I need a book to read.", "She has homework to complete"
2 Function: Describes or specifies the noun
3 Position: Usually comes after the noun it modifies
4 Meaning: Shows purpose or intended use

1 Examples: "He studies hard to succeed.", "I woke up early to catch the train"
2 Function: Explains why something is done
3 Position: Usually comes at the end of the sentence
4 Meaning: Shows purpose, intention, or reason

1 Want: "I want to go"
2 Like: "She likes to read"
3 Need: "We need to study"
4 Hope: "I hope to visit Paris"
5 Plan: "They plan to travel"
6 Learn: "He wants to learn French"

1 To express purpose: "I came here to learn"
2 To express intention: "I'm going to study"
3 To express desire: "I would like to see that movie"
4 To express ability: "I can speak English" (bare infinitive after modals)

Form	Structure	Example	Usage
Infinitive	to + base form	to go, to eat, to study	After certain verbs, for purpose
Gerund	base form + -ing	going, eating, studying	As subject, after prepositions
Bare Infinitive	base form only	go, eat, study	After modals, after "to" verbs

1 Perfect infinitive: to have + past participle (to have finished)
2 Progressive infinitive: to be + -ing form (to be studying)
3 Perfect progressive: to have been + -ing form (to have been working)
4 Passive infinitive: to be + past participle (to be invited)

1 Structure: not + to + base form
2 Examples: "I decided not to go", "He promised not to tell"
3 Position: "not" comes before "to"
4 Function: Expresses negative intention or refusal

• 1 Omitting "to" in the infinitive: "I want go" (incorrect) instead of "I want to go"
• 2 Adding unnecessary "to" after modals: "I can to go" (incorrect) instead of "I can go"
• 3 Using gerund instead of infinitive after certain verbs: "I want studying" (incorrect)
• 4 Forgetting that infinitives don't change for different subjects

1 ✓ Correct: "I want to study"
2 ✗ Incorrect: "I want study"
3 ✓ Correct: "I can speak English" (bare infinitive after modal)
4 ✗ Incorrect: "I can to speak English"

1. I need _______ my homework. (to do)

2. She wants _______ to the cinema. (to go)

3. We plan _______ our vacation next month. (to take)

4. He hopes _______ his driving test. (to pass)

5. They decided _______ early. (to leave)

6. "To travel is my dream." (function: _______)

7. "I bought a book to read." (function: _______)

8. "He works hard to succeed." (function: _______)

9. "I want to learn English." (function: _______)

10. "She has time to study." (function: _______)

1 English: Uses "to + base form" for infinitive (to go, to eat)
2 French: Uses single form without particle (aller, manger)
3 English: Bare infinitive after modals (can go, must eat)
4 French: Always uses full infinitive form (peut aller, doit manger)

• 1 Remember to include "to" in English infinitives
• 2 Practice using bare infinitive after modals (can, will, must)
• 3 Notice how French uses different verb patterns in similar contexts
• 4 Focus on which verbs take infinitive vs gerund in English

1 Remember the structure: Always "to" + base form
2 Think of purpose: "to" indicates intention/purpose
3 Practice with common verbs: want, need, hope, plan, like
4 Notice exceptions: Modals don't use "to" before infinitive

• 1 Create sentences about your daily activities using infinitives
• 2 Practice with verbs that commonly take infinitive complements
• 3 Read English texts to see natural usage patterns
• 4 Focus on verbs that require specific patterns

• Structure: "to" + base form of the verb
• Functions as noun, adjective, or adverb
• Used after certain verbs (want, need, hope, etc.)
• Shows purpose and intention
• Does not change for subject or tense

Remember: "To + base form" creates the infinitive!

• Start with simple sentences using common verbs
• Focus on purpose expressions with "to"
• Practice with both positive and negative infinitives