Grammar Focus

The use of the Infinitive without the particle ‘to’ (The Bare Infinitive)

In modern English the Infinitive is chiefly used with the particle to - the formal sign of the infinitive. Still there are cases when the bare infinitive is used.

1. After auxiliary verbs:

I don't know her.

We shall go there at once.

2. After modal verbs:

You can't do it.

You must consult the doctor.

3. After the verbs of sense perception (to see, to hear, to feel, to watch, to notice, etc.) in the infinitive Constructions:

I’ve never seen you look so well.

She heard him enter the room.

I felt my heart jump.

After these verbs in the Passive the to-infinitive is used:

He was heard to mention your name.

Thechild was made to obey.

She was seen to leave the house early in the morning.

4. After the verb to let:

Let ' s be friends.

When he calls, let me know.

5. After theverbs to make (= to force – заставлять), need (нужно) and dare (сметь, осмелиться) (in the modal meaning):

Need I do the washing up?

How dare you call me a liar?

What makes you think so?

6. After the expressions had better (... лучше бы), would rather/sooner (... бы, пожалуй), cannot but(не могу не...), etc.:

He saidhe would rather stay at home.

You had better go there at once.

I can't but think about it.

7. In the sentences beginning with why (not) (почему бы вам...).

Why not come and talk to her yourself?

Wh y pay more at other shops?

8. After formal words than, rather than, but, except:

I'll do anything but work with children.

Rather than walk for half an hour, I'll take a taxi.

1. (A, B) Replace the group of words in bold type by an infinitive.

For example: She was the first lady who left. -She was the first (lady) to leave.

1. The manager was the last who left the shop. 2. I was astonished when I heard that he had left his native town. 3. There was no place where he could sit. 4. I can't go to the party: I have nothing that I can wear. 5. He was the first man who swam the Channel. 6. He was the only one who realized the danger.

2. (A, B) Combine each of the following parts of sentences into one sentence using an infinitive.

Model: They sent me to University, they wanted me to study law.

They sent me to University to study law.

1. I am buying bread. I want to feed the bird. 2. He opened the door. He intended to go out. 3. He rushed into the burning house. He wanted to save the child. 4. He rang the bell. He wanted to tell us that the dinner was ready. 5. The farmer shot the rifle. He wanted to frighten the birds. 6. He sent his children to his sister's house. He wanted them to watch the television programme. 7. I am saving up. I want to buy a car. 8. I keep my hens in a field surrounded by wire netting. I want to protect them against the foxes.

3. Insert ‘ to’ where necessary. Explain the usage of ‘ to’.

I (A) 1. I like … play the piano. 2. My brother can... write poems. 3. We had... put on our overcoats becauseit was cold. 4. They wanted... cross the river. 5. It is high time for you... go to bed. 6. May I... use your telephone? 7. They heard the girl... cry out with joy. 8.1 would rather … stay at home today. 9. He did not want... play in the yard anymore. 10. Would you like … go to England? 11. You look tired. You had better... go home. 12.1 wanted... speak to Nick, but could not... find his telephone number. 13. It is time... get up. 14. Let me... help you with your homework. 15. I was planning... do a lot of things yesterday. 16. I'd like... speak to you. 17. I think I shall be able... solve this problem. 18. What makes you... think you are right? 19. I shall... do all I can... help you. 20.1 like... dance. 21. I'd like... dance. 22. She made me... repeat my words several times. 23. She did not let her mother... go away. 24. Do you like... listen to good music? 25. That funny scene made me... laugh.

II. (B, C) 1. The boy helped us... find the way to the railway station. 2. He would sooner... die than... betray his friends. 3. Why not... start out now? We cannot wait for the rain... stop. 4. You'll be better tomorrow. You may... come and... dine with us. 5. Don't let us... get worried. There are a hundred things... be done. 6. We had better... make haste. 7. You ought not... speak to the Dean like that. 8. What made you... think so? 9. "Thanks," Andrew answered, I’d rather... see the cases myself." 10. He was made... obey the rules. 11. I thought I would rather … get to the gallery alone, but I was obliged... accept his company. 12.... have gone through what you have gone through is the lot of very few. 13. Get them... come as early as possible. 14. There is hardly anything... do but... work out an alternative plan.

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