INFINITIVE Verb: What is an Infinitive? Useful Infinitive Examples

INFINITIVE verb: What is an Infinitive? This lesson will help you understand clearly about the infinitive definition, infinitive examples and more.

What is an Infinitive Verb? | Infinitive Definition

1. What is an Infinitive? | Infinitive Examples

An infinitive will almost always begin with to followed by the simple form of the verb. Basically, an infinitive verb is a verb with the word “to” in front of it.

• to be
• to get
• to make
• to play
• to learn

When you use an infinitive verb, the “to” is a part of the verb. It is not acting as a preposition in this case. And the verb is always just the verb: no -ed, no -ing, no -s on the end.

2. How to use an Infinitive verb in a sentence

As the subject of a sentence 

• To get good mark is not easy.
• To choose time is to save time.
• To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting.

Like an adjective or adverb phrase that expresses purpose or intent 

• My instruction is to read this book before sleeping.

Following an indirect object 

• She asked me to do the task.
• She told my Mom to wake me up.

List of Verbs Followed by INFINITIVES

Verb + Infinitive

• agree
• aim
• afford
• appear
• arrange
• ask
• care
• choose
• claim
• consent
• dare
• decide
• decline
• demand
• deserve
• desire
• expect
• fail
• guarantee
• happen
• hope
• intend
• know
• learn
• manage
• need
• offer
• plan
• pledge
• prepare
• pretend
• promise
• refuse
• resolve
• seem
• tend
• struggle
• swear
• volunteer
• wait
• want
• wish
• would like

Verb + Infinitive or Gerund

List of verbs can go with infinitives or gerunds.

• attempt
• begin
• can/can’t bear
• can/can’t stand
• cease
• continue
• forget
• go on
• hate
• like
• love
• neglect
• prefer
• regret
• propose
• remember
• see
• start
• stop
• try

Infinitives in English | Infographic