University of Batna 2 Department of English Second Year Grammar Course (gp 4)

Semester Two: Part Three: Nonfinite Structures (Phrases)

Lecture 3 : Infinitive Phrases

1. Infinitive Phrases : Definition and Forms

 Infinitive phrases are the third type of non-finite, verbal constructions that are used to present

information in a more compacted way. As participial and gerund phrases, infinitive phrases have no

tense or modality, and they lack an explicit subject and a subordinating conjunction.

 An infinitive phrase is basically constituted with the particle to, the base form of the verb in

addition to modifiers, complements, and objects.

 The first step is (to collect all the required information). (infinitive phrase= infinitive form

of the verb + direct object)

 The infinitive phrase may have a perfect construction, a continuous, a perfect continuous as well as

a passive perfect form.

 To have reconsidered his priorities made him more organized. (perfect construction)

 He seemed to be waiting for the right moment to invite them. (continuous)

 He seemed to have been working all the night. (perfect continuous)

 He did not answer all the questions because he considered them to have already been

dealt with in the previous courses. (passive perfect)

 The infinitive phrase might also have a passive construction in which the agent either appears in a

prepositional phrase following the infinitive or not mentioned at all. This form is called the passive

infinitive.

 The analysis is to be conducted by different specialists. ( passive infinitive + agent)

 The analysis is to be conducted later. ( passive infinitive / no agent)

 Infinitive phrases are negated by placing not in front of the phrase.

 It is important not to waste any more time. ( negative infinitive phrase)

1
  A variant of the infinitive phrase begins with for followed by a personal noun or pronoun. This

form is used when the reference is specific to a person that must be mentioned so as to clarify the

context.

 It was not easy for Mark/ for him to do the job alone. ( The context specifically refers to

Mark or to him)

 Infinitive phrases and one word infinitives should not be confused.

 He did not want to leave. ( one word infinitive)

 He wants to improve his reading skills. (infinitive phrase)

2. The Grammatical Functions of Infinitive Phrases

 Infinitive phrases have a variety of syntactic roles in sentences. With the proper understanding of

where the infinitive phrases appear and how they are used, sentences can be structured with clarity

and precision.

 Infinitive phrases can function as nouns fulfilling different nominal functions :

 Not to participate in the competition was her personal decision. (The infinitive phrase

functions as subject.)

 His dream is to buy an apartment near his parents’ house. (The infinitive phrase

functions as subject complement.)

 All parents want to see their children happy. (The infinitive phrase functions as direct

object.)

 He considered him to be the best qualified employer for the job. (The infinitive phrase

functions as an objective complement.)

 Infinitives can also be placed after nouns; in this case the infinitive phrase functions as an adjective

modifying a preceding noun or noun phrase.

 The teacher assigned several exercises to be completed before the end of the week. (The

infinitive phrase functions as an adjective qualifying the noun several exercises.)

 Infinitive phrases can also function as adverbs, modifying any verb in the sentence.

2
  A little group of children had gathered to watch the training of the team. (The infinitive

phrase functions as adverb modifying the verb had gathered and expressing the reason.)

 To appropriately prepare for the presentation, you must research both sides of the

debate. (The infinitive phrase functions as an adverb explaining the purpose.)

3. Infinitives with Delayed Subjects ( Extraposed infinitive phrases)

 Sentences in English must have subjects but sometimes dummy or empty subjects are used instead

of the real subjects. It and there are the two dummy subjects used in English grammar.

 Sentences with delayed subjects begin with the dummy it which takes the place of the infinitive

phrase; in this case the real subject of the sentence is the infinitive phrase which is referred to as

extraposed infinitive phrase. The infinitive phrase is placed at the end of the sentence as a delayed

subject.

 It is still an adventure to travel down the river in a small boat. (The dummy subject is it

and the real subject is the infinitive phrase.)

 To travel down the river in a small boat is still an adventure.

 Extraposed infinitive phrases commonly appear after: to be + a subject predicative noun phrase

or after adjectives marking necessity and importance, ease and difficulty as well as evaluation .

 It is still an adventure (to travel down the river in a small boat). (to be + a subject

predicative noun phrase)

 It is important (to consider your parents’ opinion first). ( adjective marking importance)

 It is useful (to write down all the required information). ( adjective marking evaluation)

 It was not easy to consult the meaning of each single word. ( adjective marking difficulty)

4. Infinitives Versus Gerunds

 Some verbs can be only followed by gerunds; other verbs must only be followed by infinitives.

 Some verbs might be followed by both gerunds and infinitives with no difference in meaning

(begin, continue, hate, like, prefer and start,….) while other verbs might be followed by both but

with a change in meaning ( forget, go on, mean, try, remember and stop). The examples below

explain these cases.

3
  I enjoy reading literary works. Not I enjoy to read literary works.

 I wanted to go with them. Not I wanted going with them.

 She prefers to work/ working in groups.

 Go on to read the book. ( start something new)

 Go on reading the book. ( carry on the same action)

 Gerunds can be placed after prepositions while infinitives cannot.

 I am happy about going with them. Not I am happy about to go with them.

 Some verbs can follow the pattern verb + infinitive; other verbs follow the pattern verb + object +

infinitive while other verbs might take both patterns.

 He agreed to stay with us. (verb + infinitive)

 He convinced her not to buy the car. (verb + object + infinitive)

 I wanted to see the new car. I wanted my father to see the new car.( Both patterns are

used.)

5. Verb List for Infinitives /Gerunds

A. Verbs Followed by an Infinitive

agree care fail leave proceed

aim consent happen offer start

appear dare have ought stop
arrange decide hesitate plan swear
ask deserve hope prefer try
attempt detest hurry prepare use
be able dislike intend promise wait
beg expect like propose want
begin forget mean refuse wish
choose get neglect say

B. Verbs Followed by an Object and an Infinitive

advice choose have motivate remind

allow command hire order require

ask dare instruct pay send
beg direct invite permit teach

4
bring encourage lead persuade tell
build expect leave prepare urge
buy forbid let promise want
challenge force like request warn

C. Verbs Followed by a Gerund

admit delay finish permit resist

advice deny forbid postpone resume

appreciate detest get through practice risk
avoid dislike have quit spend ( time)
can’t help enjoy imagine recall suggest
complete escape mind report tolerate
consider excuse miss resent waste ( time)

D. Verbs Followed by a Preposition and a Gerund

admit to depend on plan on

approve of disapprove of prevent(someone) from

argue about discourage from refrain from
believe in dream about succeed in
care about feel like talk about
complain about forget about think about
concentrate on insist on worry about
confess to object to